Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont, Part 37

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 37

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establishment of the widely celebrated Oneida Community. For some years the community was apparently successful with its "Unity House" and farming and manu- facturing enterprises that represented half a million dollars in value.

The public would not have concerned itself about his affairs as long as they exem- plified a community of property only, but the complex marriage system savored too much of a community of person and the Oneida concern had to abandon its complex marriage business, and thereupon it soon went out of business generally and faded from the knowledge of men. It had in 1874 two hundred and thirty-five members and a kindred plant at Wallingford, Conn., had forty members.

Noyes died at Niagara Falls, Canada, April 13, 1860. The public condemned his institution and its results, but allowed him credit for good motives.

Since the foregoing was written a new theory as to the origin of Mormonism has been told me. It will be remembered that Gen. John W. Phelps was not only a radical anti- slavery man, but a zealous anti-Mason. Years before he got into trouble with Secretary Stanton, because of his haste to kill slavery during the rebellion, he had been stationed at Salt Lake City. A Brattleboro neighbor, talking about his experience there, asked him what he thought of Mormonism, and the general replied : "The whole miserable thing had its rise in Masonry." They used to lay many things to Van Buren-in respect of which Parson Tilton Eastman once said, when asked whether he was going to plant his potatoes in the new, full, or old moon, "I think I'll plant 'em when I get ready, and if I don't get a good crop I'll lay it to Van Buren."

Van Buren is gone, and "The Total Depravity of Inanimate Things" cannot explain everything, and a table of errata is an abomination. I acknowledge the irrepressible tend -. ency of the comma to insert itself where it never was written, and contemplate with equanimity its unexpected appearance in all sorts of places, as where, on page 197, already printed and beyond recall, it implies that Blackstone said something about the Vermont Bar Association or some of its proceedings, or wherever it does alia enormia. But when in the account of Joseph Smith, on page 198, the fourth paragraph is made to precede the third, I do wish the reader, kind or otherwise, may discover the transposition or lay the present arrangement of the plates to Van Buren or some other deceased person-or even to the Masons, which will let me out of all but a proportionate share of blame.

Until "hostile missionaries" appeared suddenly, as from ambush, on page 199, the interconvertibility of Missourians and missionaries was wholly unsuspected.

It would take more than all this to worry any of the queer characters, but what may be permitted in a lively theme may not in one severe. So any one whose eye this may catch is asked to note that the sketch of Judge Beardsley on page 184 should follow that of Judge Peck on page 185, and that the names of the first and sixth assistant judges on pages 188 and 189 should be Russell S. Taft and Laforrest H. Thompson.

Judge Beardsley's name is left out of the list of Judges at the head of the article on them, as is that of Senator Proctor from the list of Senators heading sketches of them. That is all well enough, as far as it goes, for it would have been ridiculous to attempt to put up the Senator in nonpariel-and in fact nonpareil and the users of it ought to be abated as nuisances anyway.

Outside of matters that go to the form only and not to the substance there must be in any book purporting to give facts about many persons, errors of substance unless there be revision upon revision and verification upon verification. Take, to illustrate, the case of Ethan Allen-there are, considering time and place, four differing statements as to his birth. Mr. Davenport gives the date as Jan. 10, 1737. Were I giving it I would follow Allen's statement in his own hand-writing in a presentation copy to his second wife of his Oracles of Reason, which is that he was born Jan. 21, 1739. The difference as to the day of the month is because of the use in one case of old style and in the other of new style. But style cannot explain the two years' difference ; and I am not sure Mr. Davenport's statement is wrong or that mine would be right.

PART II.

BIOGRAPHIES OF VERMONTERS.

A. D. 1892-93.

ADAMS, BAILEY F., of Randolph, son of Luther and Lydia (Reed) Adams, was born in Brookfield, April 11, 1825.

He received his education in the common schools of Brookfield and Williamstown and at Newbury Academy.

His grandfather, Samuel Adams, was a rela- tive and namesake of the famous Massachu- setts patriot and served seven years in the Continental army. His maternal grandfather, Jonathan Reed, was also a Revolutionary sol- dier and carried on his breast a scar from a British bayonet.

BAILEY F. ADAMS.

Mr. Adams remained on his father's farm at Brookfield and Williamstown until 1851, when he moved to the farm where he now resides, devoting his attention to dairy pro- ducts and horse breeding, and owning a fine herd of Jerseys.

Mr. Adams is a Republican in politics ; was selectman for five consecutive years from

1862, and with his associates during that period paid out of the town treasury over $60,000 to the soldiers, together with the money compensation offered by the govern- ment to selectmen for recruiting services. Mr. Adams has been town auditor for seven- teen consecutive years ; lister, fourteen years ; has represented his town repeatedly at county and state conventions ; was member for Ran- dolph in the Legislature of 1874; elected assistant judge of Orange county court 1888-'90 ; has been one of the trustees of the Normal School at Randolph since its estab- lishment and also the trustee of its endow- ment fund.

He was married May 1, 1855, to Lucinda S., daughter of Rev. Andes T. and Lydia (Lincoln) Bullard. Of this union four chil- dren were born : Jairus B., Clinton A., Al- bert C. (deceased), and Julius L. (deceased).

ADAMS, EDWARD PAYSON, of Swan- ton, son of Lemuel and Sally (Smalley ) Adams, was born in Sheldon, March 16, 1843.

His early education was obtained at the district school and a course of study at Barre Academy.

Till he arrived at the age of thirty-nine, Mr. Adams remained upon the farm in Shel- don which had been in the possession of both his father and grandfather. In 1881 he changed his place of residence and removed to Swanton, where he became a heavy dealer in butter. For the last twenty-five years he has been engaged in this occupation.

When the Swanton Suspender Co. was or- ganized in 1885, he was chosen its president, discharging the duties of that office with gen- eral acceptability. During his business ca- reer he has traveled extensively in the United States.

Mr. Adams espoused, Sept. 7, 1868, Helen A., daughter of Noah and Abigail (Vale) Best of Highgate. Four children are the issue of this marriage : Mary A., Helen B., Lemuel P., and John.

While residing in Sheldon, Mr. Adams took a leading part in the affairs of the town, and was the incumbent of many local offices.

ADAMS.

He was elected county commissioner four successive terms and was appointed railroad commissioner during the administration of Governor Peck. Upon the incorporation of Swanton Village in 1882 he was elected its president, continuing in office two years. He has been vice-president of the Swanton

EDWARD PAYSON ADAMS.

National Bank, and in 1890 was honored by an election to the upper branch of the Legis- lature in which he served with great efficiency.

He united with the Congregational church in 1864, and for sixteen years performed the duties of Sunday-school superintendent. He has long been a Free Mason and when Mis- sisquoi Lodge No. 38, I. O. O. F. was organ- ized he was unanimously elected its first Noble Grand. In this organization he at present holds the position of grand treas- urer of the Grand Lodge of Vermont.

Mr. Adams, from his genial disposition and unaffected manner, is very popular in his section of the state, while his wide experience of men and affairs renders him both an enter- taining companion and sage counselor.

ADAMS, JOSEPH, late of Fair Haven, the youngest of the seven children of John and Mary Ann (Morrison) Adams, was born in Londonderry (now Derry), N. H., Feb. I, 1802. Of pure Scotch parentage, he re- tained in a marked degree the characteristics of his nationality.

Having removed with his parents in the autumn of 1806 to East Whitehall, N. Y.,

he worked with his father on the farm and at the trade of boot and shoe-making during his minority, enjoying only such opportuni- ties for an education as were supplied by the imperfect public school of that time and place.

Soon after attaining his majority he mar- ried and settled in Fair Haven, where he established and carried on for nearly twenty years a large manufactory of ladies' shoes for the wholesale trade. His goods had a wide reputation, and were much sought for over a large extent of the country.

He sold out in 1843 and removed to Ra- cine, Wis., but returning to Fair Haven, he began, in the spring of 1845, in conjunction with Alonson Allen and William C. Kittredge, the building of a mill and the sawing of Rut- land marble, in Fair Haven. For a number of years he had the principal charge and management of the business and continued his connection with it more or less actively during the rest of his life. He is properly considered one of the pioneers of the great marble industry of the state.

He was always public-spirited and enter- prising, leading in works of public improve-

JOSEPH ADAMS.

ment and philanthropy. He was a trial justice of the peace for many years ; was president of the Washingtonian Temperance Society organized in Fair Haven in 1841 ; was chairman of the Park Association in 1855- '56, and contributed largely to the establish-

ADAMS.

ment of the park. He was one of the building committee of the original school and town house. He assisted in raising the bounties for soldiers during the war. He frequently advocated the introduction of public water works. He was the original mover in the establishment of the First National Bank ; was one of the first and largest stockholders, one of the first board of directors, and be- came its president in 1873, holding the office until his death.

He represented the town in the Legisla- tures of 1854-'55, and was an active member.

He was fearless and independent in poli- tics and religion. He early espoused the cause of the slave, and was one of the first subscribers and readers of the National Era, an anti-slavery journal edited by John G. Whittier at Washington in 1846-'48, when slaves were bought and sold at public auc- tion in the capital of the nation. Though lacking early educational advantages, he was not an uneducated man. With an active mind, and a genius for philosophy and me- chanics, he made himself acquainted with letters and knew what was in many of the best books ; was well informed in history, in constitutional and international law, in poli- tics, theology, mechanics and science. Of his own thought he reached conclusions sus- tained by later scholarship and criticism.

He was a lover and judge of music and no unapt performer on the violin.

Writing at the time of his death, Feb. 26, 1878, a friend said of him : "For more than half a century he has been closely identified with the business interests of Fair Haven and has been one of its most respected citi- zens. In all the relations of life he was re- garded as a strictly honest man. In business he was remarkable for his energy and tenac- ity of purpose, working out success where most men would have given up in despair. In religion he was liberal, in politics a Republican, and he was always a warm friend of temperance in all things. Although economical in his style of living, he was ever a friend of the poor-generous and kind- hearted. The people of Fair Haven will long have occasion to cherish the memory of Mr. Adams as a citizen thoroughly identi- fied with the interests of the town and vil- lage, warmly favoring all practical public improvements, advocating good schools and all moral reforms."

Mr. Adams was married Nov. 6, 1823, to Stella Miller, daughter of Capt. William Mil- ler of Hampton, N. Y., and sister of Rev. William Miller. Of this union were eight children, only two of whom lived to mature age : Andrew N. (see below), and Helen M., who married David B. Colton in 1852.

ADAMS.

ADAMS, ANDREW N., of Fair Haven, son of Joseph and Stella ( Miller) Adams, was born in Fair Haven, Jan. 6, 1830.

His great-great-grandfather, James Adams, came from Ulster, north of Ireland, to Amer- ica in 1721, and settled in Londonderry, N. H.

Mr. Adams prepared for college at the Green Mountain Institute, South Woodstock, in 1847-'48 ; spent two years in the Mead- ville Theological School, Meadville, Pa. ; en- tered the divinity school department of Har- vard University, Cambridge, Mass., in 1852, and graduating in 1855 was ordained to the ministry and settled as pastor of the First Parish Church, Needham, Mass .; resigned and removed to Franklin, Mass., in the fall of 1857, serving as pastor of the newly organ-

ANDREW N. ADAMS.

ized First Universalist Church in that place till the summer of 1860, when he resigned and returned to Vermont.

Retiring from the ministry he engaged in mercantile business in Fair Haven in the spring of 1861, and has retained his connec- tion with the same, in association with others since 1869, till the present time.

In company with his father Mr. Adams engaged in manufacturing marble for the wholesale trade in 1869, and, with some changes, continues to hold connection with the business at Belden Falls.

He has a large farm near the village to which he gives personal supervision ; is a di- rector in the First National Bank of Fair Ha- ven ; has been justice of the peace ; treasurer

11.1:1.1 ..

of the town and village ; was instrumental in establishing and organizing the graded school of Fair Haven in 1874 ; has been many years a member of the school board ; principal di rector and manager in the organization and conduct of the Fair Haven Public Library ; a contributing member and officer of the Rut- land County Historical Society from the be- ginning ; trustee of the State Normal School at Castleton since 1869, and president of the board since 1882 ; was chairman of the Rut- land County Board of Education during its existence in 1889-'go, arranging the contracts for the purchase and sale of text books through the county. Mr. Adams prepared and published the history of the town of Fair Haven in 1870, is the author of numerous essays and addresses which have been pub- lished, and has now in course of preparation an extensive genealogy of the Adams family.

He has been active in politics as Aboli- tionist, Free Soiler and Republican, repre- senting Fair Haven in the Legislature of 1884, and his county as senator in 1888.

Mr. Adams married in Orwell, Aug. 1, 1855, Angie, daughter of Erastus and Marga- ret ( Hibbard ) Phelps, of Orwell, and has four daughters : Alice A. (Mrs. Horace B. Ellis of Castleton), Ada M. (Mrs. John T. Powell of Fair Haven, died May 21, 1893), Annie E. (Mrs. George B. Jermyn of Scranton, Pa.), and Stella Miller.

ALBEE, JOHN MEAD, of Gallups Mills, son of John G. and Sarah S. ( Blake) Albee, was born Jan. 14, 1854, in Derby.

JOHN MEAD ALBEE.

ALEXANDER.

He was educated in the public schools of Holland and Island Pond, and engaged in business as a humber manufacturer at the latter place and at Whitefield, N. H., until 1882, when he moved to Granby, and was employed by the firm of Buck & Wilcox. Ilis business capacity soon brought him pro- motion, and for several years past he has filled the position of foreman of the exten- sive works of C. H. Stevens and the North- ern Lumber Co.

Mr. Albec is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he has been a worker in the ranks of the Re- publican party. He has been selectman and represented the town of Granby in the Leg- islature of 1888.

Mr. Albee was married Oct. 31, 1876, to Alivia, daughter of John and Nancy Web- ster. Their children are : Austin G., Bertha M., and Myra Gi.

ALEXANDER, JOHN F., of Saxtons River, son of Willard H. and Eunice (Scott) Alexander, was born Feb. 21, 1838, in Ches- terfield, N. H.

JOHN F. ALEXANDER.

After passing the common schools of his native town, he entered the high school at Brattleboro.

In 1853, as an apprentice, he entered the employ of Gates & White, cabinet makers, Brattleboro, and remained with the firm three years. Removing to Bellows Falls in 1856 he served in the dry goods store of Gray &

ALLEN.

Perry. Finding the business congenial he bought Mr. Perry's interest in it, conducted successfully his department, and at the end of two years sold his share in the store to engage with S. Perry & Co. in the manufacture of woolen goods at Cambridgeport, residing at Saxtons River. In 1866 Mr. Alexander sold his interest in the firm of S. Perry & Co., buying out that of Theophilus Hoit in the Farnsworth & Hoit woolen mills at Saxtons River. Mr. Farnsworth lately selling his in- terest, the firm is now known as Alexander, Smith & Co.

Politically Mr. Alexander is a Republican, and in 1886 he represented the town of Rock- ingham in the Legislature.

Mr. Alexander is a prominent and widely known member in the order of F. & A. M., a member of King Solomon Lodge and Abenaqui Royal Arch Chapter, Bellows Falls, and of the council and encampment at Windsor.

Mr. Alexander was married Oct. 31, 1860, to Mary S., daughter of George and Hannah (Chandler) Perry, of Saxtons River. Of this union were four children : John F., Jr., Charlotte M., (wife of Dr. H. G. Anderson, of New York), Anna E., and George P.

ALLEN, CHARLES EDWIN, of Burling- ton, son of Joseph Dana and Eliza R. (John-

CHARLES EDWIN ALLEN.

son) Allen, was born in Burlington, Nov. 28, 1838.

ALLEN.

He was educated in the Burlington pub- lic and high schools, and was graduated from the University of Vermont, August, 1859. During the year 1861 he studied law with Hon. Isaac F. Redfield at Windsor, and in 1862-'63 with Hon. Milo L. Bennett in Burlington. He entered the Albany Law School (Union College) in September, 1863, and was graduated in June, 1864. After practicing his profession in the New York courts for three years, Mr. Allen returned to Burlington in the spring of 1867, and there opened an office, making a specialty of patent law.

Mr. Allen was elected assistant secretary of the Senate in 1862-'63. He is a Republi- can. In 1878 he was elected alderman from ward I for two years, and re-elected for a like term in 1880. In 1882 he was elected city assessor ; in 1883 school commissioner, re-elected in 1884, and successively chosen for terms of two years. During this period, with the exception of one year, he has served as clerk of the school board, and his annual reports of the census and condition of the city schools are highly esteemed for their accuracy and completeness. In Sep- tember, 1886, he was elected city clerk, and has been unanimously re-elected each year since. In 1870 he was chosen secretary of the Alumni Association of the University of Vermont, and has held the office since that time. During the years 1867-'68 Mr. Allen was local editor of the Burlington Free Press, and reported for New York papers.

Mr. Allen is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, of which he is now, and has been for several years, a vestryman and its Sunday-school superintendent, and a fre- quent delegate to its diocesan conventions.

He is a member of the Algonquin Club of the Vermont Press Association, and has published, in pamphlet form, statistics of the town and city of Burlington from 1763, in- cluding complete meteorological observa- tions since 1840, besides several historical papers connected with his native town.

Mr. Allen was married Oct. 31, 1867, to Ellen C., daughter of Elias and Cornelia (Hall) Lyman. Of this union are three children : Joseph Dana, Lyman, and Flor- ence L.

ALLEN, IRA R., of Fair Haven, son of Ira C. and Mary E. ( Richardson) Allen, was born in Fair Haven, March 29, 1859.

Ira C. Allen was a man of ability and was well known in the state, serving five terms in the state Legislature.

Ira R. Allen obtained his early education in the schools of Fair Haven and in 1877 studied at Colgate Academy. He graduated

WLAN.

AMSDEN.

from Brown University in 1882. His busi- ness experience has been varied and exten- sive and he has traveled in the States and upon the other side of the Atlantic. From 1882 to 18844 he resided in the city of New York and was engaged in the produce com- mission business. In 1886 he became inter- ested in mining operations in Virginia, and in 1887 returned to Fair Haven where he has been interested in banking, slate indus- tries and railroads. His family has the prac- tical control of the Rutland & Whitehall R. R. and he is vice-president of the Allen National Bank. Mr. Allen is the fortunate possessor of one of the best private mineralogical cab- inets in the state. While in Virginia he was enabled to obtain many fine specimens of garnets, some of which were loaned by him for the purpose of exhibition at the World's Fair in Chicago.

Mr. Allen is a Republican and one of the most public spirited men of his town. He has served as selectman and was considered as an available candidate to place in the field for town representative in a community where Democratic opinions had hitherto prevailed. This position he easily won and served in the Legislature at the session of 1892. An

IRA R. ALLEN.

ardent and enthusiastic member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, he has attained the 32d degree and represented Mt. Sinai Temple at Cincinnati in 1893. In religious views a Baptist, and though not a member of the church has always been a liberal supporter of all Christian enterprises.

AMSDEN, CHARLES, of Amsden, son of America and Nancy (Child) Anisden, was born in West Windsor, May 6, 1832.

His grandfather, Abel Ausden, was a pio- neer of the town of Reading, a soldier during the Revolution, and a prominent man of his time. Ilis mother, Nancy Child, was born

CHARLES AMSDEN.

in Westminster, Mass., July 20, 1790, and lived one and one-half years after the cele- bration of her centennial, retaining her men- tal vigor to the last.

Charles Amsden was educated at the com- mon schools and passed his early boyhood on his father's farm. At the age of seven- teen, with a capital of $100, he went to what is now called Amsden and engaged in trade, opening the following year a lime kiln, which he still works, producing about 10,000 bar- rels annually, and carries on an extensive business in general merchandise.

Mr. Amsden is a Republican in politics. He represented the town of Wethersfield in the Legislatures of 1870 and 1890, and was elected a senator for Windsor county in 1892. He has been town treasurer since 1876, and postmaster since 1875, except when holding state office. Beyond his own town his business ability has been and is still appreciated. During the years 1886-'87 he was a director of the Rutland R. R. and he is at the present time a director of the Na- tional Black River Bank of Proctorsville, and of the Howe Scale Co.

January 20, 1850, Mr. Amsden married Abbie E., daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann

ANDROSS.

ANDREWS.

(Carey) Craigue. Of this union is one child : Mary Melvina ( Mrs. Charles E. Wood- ruff, of Woodstock.) His second marriage was with Miss Mary L. Stockin.

ANDREWS, JOHN ATWOOD, of John- son, son of Asa and Jane(Hogg) Andrews, was born at New Boston, N. H.

When John was three years of age, his father, who was a farmer, hoping to better his condition moved to Johnson. The son received such education as could be obtained in the common schools of that period, and afterward pursued his studies at the Lamoille county grammar school.

At the age of twenty-one he purchased a farm situated about half a mile west of the town, where he has ever since resided, and here his father and mother found a home until their death. His estate of one hun- dred and fifty-four acres is one of the best adapted for cultivation in the neighborhood, and is pleasantly located on the Lamoille river, commanding a broad view of moun- tains, hills and stream.

He is a member of the Republican party. In 1882 he was sent to the Legislature, where he served on the educational com- mittee, and he has just completed his fourth year as assistant judge of Lamoille county court. Judge Andrews was a member of the I. O. G. T.

He was united in marriage March 28, 1844, to Angeline, daughter of Daniel and Lydia Scott (Eaton) Davinson of Craftsbury. Four children have been born to them : Sum- ner A., Lydia (Mrs. Lyndley Fullington , Abner (died in infancy), and Wallace Gale of Montpelier.

ANDREWS, SUMNER A., of Vergennes, son of J. Atwood and Angeline (Davinson) Andrews, was born in Johnson, Dec. 28, 1844.

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Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont, Part 37

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