USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 41
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He was for many years director of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of Mont- pelier, and for ten years its president. He has also been a director of many banks, in- surance and railroad companies and is now a director of the Central Vermont R. R., and director of the National Life Insurance Co., and Waterbury National Bank. He also organized a company, of which he be- came a president, to erect a magnificent ho- tel in the village of Stowe near the base of Mt. Mansfield, and under his careful super- vision this enterprise was successfully accom- plished, as well as the building of a smaller house upon the summit with a carriage road leading from the valley to its door, thus attracting multitudes of strangers and tour- ists. He is always known as Governor Bing- ham, and now that he counts more than four- score years is yet young in mind and is always gladly greeted by the younger men of his profession for that, like all who know him, they respect and love him.
Mr. Bingham married, July 31, 1838, Or- pha R., daughter of Riverius Camp, Esq., a prominent citizen of Stowe. She died with- out issue in November, 1891, mourned by all who knew her.
BIXBY, ARMENTUS BOYDEN, of Poult- ney, son of William Armentus and Hannah (Stoddard ) Bixby, was born in Mount Holly, June 26, 1834.
He is of English descent on both sides and is of the seventh generation from Joseph Bixby, who emigrated from the mother country in 1637 and settled in Massachu- setts. The English branch of the Bixby family are of Danish origin. On the Stod- dard side he is of the sixth generation from Anthony Stoddard who came from London to Boston in 1639. Anthony Stoddard was a descendant of William Stoddard, a knight who came from Normandy to England, A. D. 1066, with William the Conqueror, who was his cousin.
While he was still an infant his parents moved to Shellersville, O., where both of them died, leaving him an orphan at the age of seven years. He returned to Ver- mont and obtained his support by labor upon the farm during the summer, while de- voting his winters to attendance at the district schools. At the age of nineteen he decided to educate himself as a physician. Commencing his preparatory studies at Black River Acad- emy, Indlow, and Kimball Union Academy, of Meriden, N. II., he entered Castleton Medical College from which he graduated in 1858, completing his course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He began his professional labors at London- derry in 1860, and built up a large and ex- tensive practice in that and the adjoining towns. Obeying the call of duty, he offered his services to the government and was made assistant surgeon of the 4th Regt. Vt. Vols., continuing in the army from Oct. 6, 1862, to Sept. 30, 1864, when he returned to his former labors. In 1882 he was compelled to abandon his practice on account of ill health and removed to Poultney, where he now resides.
In his religious belief Dr. Bixby is a liberal Baptist. He has always been an active worker in the church, but his labors have never been characterized by narrow secta- rianism. For some years he was a licensed preacher in the Methodist church and labored as a revivalist with marked success.
During the agitation of the slavery ques- tion he was a strong opponent of that insti- tution and has ever acted with the Republican party till 1884, when he withdrew and became an active Prohibitionist. He was a member of their state committee for a number of years and chairman of the state convention of 1888. He was sent as a delegate to the national convention which nominated Clin- ton B. Fisk for the presidential chair. His eminent qualifications for official position were demonstrated by the fact that he was the choice of his constituents for the posi- tion of state treasurer in 1888 and his popu- larity was evinced by his running ahead of his ticket. He also received the nomination for the position of judge of probate for Rutland county in 1892. In the presidential campaign in 1888 he took the platform and advocated the principles of his party in nearly all parts of the state, speaking elo- quently and effectively.
Dr. Bixby was united in marriage March 17, 1857, to Annie, daughter of Luther and Polly ( Hemmenway) French of Mt. Holly, who died June 10, 1860, leaving one daugh- ter, Lola Ann. He married for his second wife, Oct. 9, 1862, Elnora E., daughter of Lewis and Mary (Aiken) Howard of London-
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derry. One daughter has blessed the nmion : Salome Eliza.
Dr. Bixby is pre-eminently a self-made man, who, left an orphan in early childhood, yet struggled successfully to educate himself and by unaided efforts attained an honored position in the community. Independent in idea and action he is respected by all who know him for the probity of his life and character and has always proved himself a firm friend to those in adversity and a kind and considerate neighbor ; of him it can be truly said in the words of Sir Henry Walton, " his armor is his honest thought, and simple truth his highest skill."
BISHOP, WILLIAM H., of Island Pond, son of John R. and Harriet ( Kemp ) Bishop was born at Margate, Kent county, Eng- land, August 24, 1851.
He obtained his education in the English schools of Margate, came to this country in June, 1868, and ten years after settled at Island Pond. Soon after his arrival, he pur- chased the Essex County Herald and has conducted this paper ever since. Mr. Bishop has established a lively local correspondence in every quarter of the county and made his paper in fact as well as name the Herald of Essex County.
Mr. Bishop is a Republican from convic- tion and though born a foreigner is instinct- ively American. He has been a delegate to state and county conventions, a member of the Republican county committee for several years and has acted more than once as its chairman.
He has been for ten years one of the wardens of the Protestant Episcopal church, secretary of Island Pond Lodge No. 44, F. & A. M., and he is prominent in the lodge and encampment of the I. O. O. F.
He was married Sept. 22, 1875, to Clara M., daughter of James and Matilda ( Hayward) Wyatt. They have had five children : Al- fred Ernest, William Henry, Roy A., Hubert Stanley, and Arthur William (deceased).
BISSELL, EDGAR N., of East Shore- ham, son of Solomon L. and Martha M. (Atwood) Bissell, was born Sept. 4, 1840, at Shoreham.
He obtained his early education at home and later on at Newton Academy. Engaged in the occupation of farming and cultivating a large portion of the land upon which his grandfather settled in 1777, Mr Bissell has been principally known as a breeder and ex- porter of Merino sheep and is considered as one of the best authorities of the state in this matter. He is a frequent and valued contributor to various agricultural journals. He represented the town in the Legislature of 1882 ; was state cattle commissioner
under Governor Ormsbee ; president of the Vermont Merino Sheep Breeders' Associa- tion, 1880-'8) ; also president of the Ver- mont Sheep Shearers' Association from 1886 to 1891 and occupied the chief executive office of Addison County Agricultural Soci- ety from 1886 to 1892. He is now serving on the committee of the Natural Wool Growers' Association, and for three years has been chairman of that committee. Ap- pointed a member of the State Board of Agriculture by Governor Dillingham he re- signed the office to give his attention to other matters.
Mr. Bissell has received the Masonic de- gree, conferred in the lodge, chapter and commandery.
He married, first, Sophia N., danghter of Daniel and Nancy Needham of Whiting, on March 4, 1863, at Shoreham. From this union five children were born : Henry E., Edward S., Helen N., Annie J , and Maude S. His first wife died in August, 1888. On Dec. 28, 1889, he was married to Franc F., daughter of Jerry and Susan Parker of Shore- ham.
Having a large acquaintance, not only in but beyond his native town, he is universally esteemed and no one is considered to have acquired a greater skill in his specialties than himself.
BISSELL, WILLIAM HENRY AUGUSTUS, late of Burlington, son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Washburn) Bissell, was born in Randolph, Nov. 10, 1814.
He received his preliminary education in the Randolph public schools and academy, and was graduated from the classical course of the U. V. M. in 1838. In the following year he was employed as a teacher in Bishop Hopkins' School for Boys, at the same time studying for the ministry. Later, in part- nership with G. B. Eastman, he established a private school in Detroit. In 1838 he was a candidate for Holy Orders in the diocese of New York, in which state, for a brief space, he was instructor in the institution at Troy. In 1839 he was ordained deacon by Bishop Onderdonk of Cavalry Church, New York City. Soon after his ordination he. was established as rector at West Troy, and was afterwards called to Lyons, where he remained till 1848, then changed his pas- torate to Genesee, N. Y. In 1868 he was elected bishop of the diocese of Vermont, with his residence at Burlington.
Bishop Bissell was an Independent in his political views, always voting for the man fitted for office, irrespective of party. He was much interested in missionary work, being connected with all societies working under the authority of the Episcopal church.
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He was united in marriage August 29, 1838, to Martha, daughter of Phineas and Maria (Cotton) Moulton of West Randolph. Five children blessed this union : Martha E. ( Mrs. Willard S. Pope of Detroit), Laura A. (widow of Surgeon Charles S. Gray, U. S. Navy), Mary A. (Mrs. G. Shaw of Burling- ton), John H., and William A.
BIXBY, HIRA L., of Chelsea, son of Icha- bod and Susanna (Lewis) Bixby, was born in Chelsea, Sept. 13, 1833.
Educated in the common schools and at the academy at Chelsea, he remained upon his father's farm until he was thirty-one years of age, when after studying the art of pho- tography he pursued that occupation in Burlington for eight years and then returned to his native place, occupying himself chiefly with farming and photography.
In 1881 he originated a plan for signaling the weather forecasts by means of steam whistles, which was received with favor by the weather bureau, and after the latter was transferred from the war to the agricultural department, it was adopted and is now in successful operation.
In politics a Republican, Mr. Bixby has held most of the town offices and is esteemed a prudent and public-spirited citizen by his fellow-townsmen. He represented Chelsea in the Legislature of 1886, where he introduced a proposal for the first secret ballot system ever brought before that body, and though it failed at the time its principles were to a great extent embodied in the law of 1890.
BLAISDELL, EDSON G., of Bridport, son of Josiah and Cleora (Munsill) Blaisdell, was born in Richford, Dec. 13, 1846. His grandfather was one of the original settlers of the place and his father, for several years, represented the town in the state Legislature.
He received his early training in the pub- lic schools of Richford and at the high school of Fairfax. Graduating from the Commer- cial College at Burlington in 1864, he pur- sued his studies at the Dartmouth Medical School, and finally graduated, in 1871, from the medical department of the University of Vermont, as the valedictorian of his class. Clerk at quartermaster's department at City Point during the civil war, he afterward went to Texas, but in 1871 established him- self as a physician at Bridport, where he has built up a lucrative practice.
A Republican in politics he has held sev- eral town offices, notably that of superin- tendent of schools ; is a member of the Ad- dison County Medical Society and of the Masonic order. For the past twelve years he has been the clerk of the Congregational Society of Bridport. Somewhat reserved and an opponent of all display in his man-
BLISS.
ner of living he possesses the affection of all who come into intimate relation with him.
He was married in Bridport, June 17, 1874, to Mary E., daughter of Oliver and Sarah Eldredge. From this union two chil- dren are living : Cleora G., and Harry E.
BLISS, JOSHUA ISHAM, of Burlington, son of Moses and Sophia (Isham) Bliss, was born in Burlington, Nov. 19, 1830.
His ancestors originally came from the county of Devonshire, in England, emi- grating to Boston in 1635. Mr. Bliss, after a preparatory course in the academies at Shelburne and Burlington, entered the Uni- versity of Vermont, from which he grad- uated with high honors in 1852. He then took a position in a private school in North
JOSHUA ISHAM BLISS.
Carolina, but on account of his delicate health was obliged to resign, and in order to recuperate he spent some time in travel- ing in Europe and the East. In 1857 he again resumed the profession of teaching in Parkersburg, Va. Soon after he was ordered deacon in the Protestant Episcopal church at Burlington, and two years later was or- dained priest at Jericho.
In 1863 he was called as assistant rector to St. Luke's parish in St. Albans, and after- wards assumed the sole rectorship, till 1869, when he again visited Europe. On his re- turn, after a year of missionary service, he assumed the rectorship of St. Peter's Church Bennington. In 1877 he was complimented
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by an appointment to the chair of professor of rhetoric and English literature in the U. V. M., where he remained for eight years, when he was invited to assume the charge of St. Paul's Church in Burlington, which arduous position he has ably filled to the present time. In 1885 his alma mater con- ferred upon him the degree of D. D., having previously bestowed those of A. M. and A. B. He is president of the standing com- mittee of the diocese of Vermont, and has been elected several times deputy from that diocese to the general convention.
He was married Sept. 10, 1860, to Anne E, daughter of Carlos and Caroline ( Dem- ing) Baxter, of Burlington.
BLACK, HENRY FAYETTE, of East Cov- entry, son of Timothy and Alınira ( Baldwin) Black, was born in Coventry, June 28, 1842.
Educated at the common schools and academy of Coventry. He has from early age been a large and successful farmer, mak- ing dairying a specialty. He has been prom- inent in town affairs, and held different town offices almost continually. He was town representative in 1880-'82, serving on the committee on the Grand List, which origi- nated the present system of sworn inventories which makes personal property bear nearer its share of taxation. Has also been almost continually acting under the authority of the probate court, in the settlement of estates and the management of trust funds.
In his political preferences he has always been a Republican, and though a Baptist in his religious belief, he attends and supports the Congregational church.
He married, Oct. 19, 1865, Melvina, daugh- ter of Childs and Ann (Chesney) Brooks. Their children are : Myra (Mrs. John H. Howard, Albion, N. Y.), Orrin H., Mabel, Carrie, Freddie, and Harry A.
BOGUE, HOMER A., of Bristol, son of Virgil P. and Florentine (Larkin) Bogue, was born in Enosburgh, June 4, 1861.
His grandfather was the first settler of Enosburgh, and on his mother's side he traces his lineage to the Winslow family of the Mayflower.
He attended school both in Enosburgh and Irasburg and then continued his studies at the academy at Newport. Since he came of a family noted for its physicians, he re- solved to study medicine, and at the age of fourteen commenced under the tuition of Dr. Templeton, of Irasburg, and later was instructed by Dr. C. B Bogue, of Chicago. He then entered the medical department of the University of Vermont and later that of the University of New York. Visiting Chicago for private instruction and hospital practice, he finally graduated at the U. V. M. in 1886.
He first pursued his profession at Monkton, but soon removed to Bristol, where he has met with much success.
In politics he is a Republican, is justice of the peace and health officer. He is a Mason, belonging to both lodge and chapter.
Dr. Bogue was married in Irasburg Dec. 6, 1882, to Ida M., daughter of Abner and Clorinda (Stock ) Miles. Their three children are : Ruth S., George 11., and Helen M.
BOND, GEORGE HERBERT, of Brattle- boro, son of Luke T. and Elsie (Stoddard) Bond, was born in Dimmerston, Jan. 31, 1846.
Educated in the common schools, at the age of sixteen he enlisted in Co. 1, 16th
GEORGE HERBERT BOND.
Regt. Vt. Vols. He served for a period of nine months when he received his discharge. Returning, he lived five years at home, after- wards in Orange, Lowell and Boston.
In 1864, at the time of the St. Albans raid, he enlisted in the National Guard as a private, and since then has passed through all grades until he has reached that of lieutenant-colonel, which position he now holds.
In January, 1870, he married Miss Addie, daughter of George and Elishaba (Maynard) Carpenter, of Orange, Mass. Two daughters have been born to them : Lizzie C., and Nel- lie G., the latter Mrs. W. F. Root of Brattle- boro.
In 1872 he took up his residence in Brat- tleboro, where for fourteen years he was in
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BOLTON.
the employ of the Estey Organ Co., but since 1887 has been engaged in the coal business.
He is a prominent Odd Fellow and Mason, being a member of Wantastiquet Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F .; Brattleboro Lodge, No. 102, F. & A. M. ; Fort Dummer Royal Arch Chap- ter, No. 12, and Beauseant Commandery, Knights Templar, No. 71.
BOLTON, PLYNN, of Peacham, son of Luther C. and Julia (Hooker) Bolton, was born in Barnet, Sept. 16, 1824.
Obtaining such educational advantages as lay in his power in the public schools of Danville and Newbury, in the intervals of labor upon a farm, when he had attained his majority he went to Boston, where he found employment. Returning to Danville in the spring of 1859, he purchased a farm and cultivated it for five years. He then again went to Boston where he continued a year and then removed to Peacham, follow- ing the life of a farmer till 1869. He then commenced the business of a dealer in pro- duce, and purchased horses for parties in Massachusetts. In 1873 he changed the scenes of his labors to Peacham Corner, where he operates a small farm, making a specialty of the products of the dairy.
His religious preferences are Congrega- tional, and he has always voted the Repub- lican ticket. For four years he was called upon to discharge the duties of trustee, lister and selectman, and has held many minor offices. He was elected to the state Legislature as representative for Peacham in 1882, and served on the general and dis- tributing committees.
He was united in marriage April 8, 1858, to Phebe B., daughter of Moses and Phebe (Brock) Wesson, who died Sept. 13, 1862, leaving one son, George Bolton, M. D., of West Burke. Mr. Plynn Bolton contracted a second alliance May 11, 1865, with Martha J., daughter of Ira and Recta (Wheelock) McLoud. By his second wife he had issue : Helen Phebe (deceased), May Evelyn, and Recta Gertrude (deceased).
BOOTH, ISAAC PHILLIPS, of North- field, son of Isaac Billings and Lydia Olney (Phillips) Booth, was born in Union, Conn., Sept. 10, 1843.
He early evinced a love for books, and the height of his youthful ambition was to obtain an education ; but the circumstances of his parents were such as to give him but little encouragement, yet he availed himself of his slender opportunities to the utmost, and by private reading and study, succeeded in ob- taining a fair preparation for college. Feel- ing himself too poor to pursue a collegiate course, he concluded to settle down to a
business life, but his first venture proving unsuccessful, he resolved to return to the vocation of a teacher, some experience of which he had had in his earlier days. He first opened a private school in White's Cor- ners, N. Y., but was soon called to take charge of a new graded and high school in that place ; and after remaining there two years was elected principal of the Kent, O., grammar school. Having spent his vaca- tions and other leisure in reading law, in 1870 he was admitted to the Portage county bar, and shortly after entered the office of M. S. Castle, of Cleveland ; but this profes- sion he also found uncongenial to him, and he turned his attention to the church. Ac-
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ISAAC PHILLIPS BOOTH.
cordingly, he entered St. Lawrence Univer- sity, from which he graduated with honor in 1874, taking both the theological and uni- versity course, and immediately entered upon his pastoral duties at Huntington, L. I., where he remained two years, and then changed the scene of his labors to Morris- ville, and subsequently to Northfield, in which place he soon was elected to the pro- fessorship of Latin and Greek in Norwich University, receiving from this institution in due course, the degrees of A. M. and D. D.
In 1885 Dr. Booth resigned his position in the university and became principal of the graded and high school in Northfield, where he remained till his appointnient to the office of county supervisor of schools. In 1880 he represented Morrisville, and
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served as chaplain in the House of Repre- sentatives, and six years after was elected a member of that body from Northfield, serv- ing on the committee on education, and earnestly advocating the present school law. In 1801 he again took charge of the graded and high school, but has now accepted a call from his old parish at Morrisville.
Dr. Booth has always taken a deep inter est in educational matters and has discharged the duties of town superintendent in nearly every place of his residence.
He was married, May 1, 1866, to Jnlia E., danghter of Laurens Crawford, Esq., of Staf- ford, Conn. Fourteen children have been born to them : Lydia J. (deceased ), Earnest V. (deceased), Laurens C. (deceased), Al- fred F., Clarence H., Louis P., Edwin, Frank 1., Maud G., Annie M. (deceased), Ralph A., Mabel E., Julia B. (deceased), and Paul C.
Mr. Booth is past master of the local Ma- sonic lodge, a member of the I. O. O. F., and chief templar of the lodge of that order in that town, and a trustee of Norwich University.
BOOTH, WILLIAM W., of Waltham, son of Ezra and Sophia (Whalley) Booth, was born in Ferrisburg, May 26, 1841.
Educated at the district school and at Vergennes Academy, at the wish of his par- ents he remained with them on the old homestead till he became of age. In 1875 he sold his estate in Ferrisburg and removed to Waltham. He represented that town in the Legislature of 1880, and has served as selectman, as well as in other town offices.
He was married March 26, 1872, to Thirza, daughter of Aaron and Lottie Field, of Fer- risburg. They have two children: Agnes F., born June 26, 1874, and Arthur E., born April 28, 1878.
BOSWORTH, DAVID, of Bristol, son of Hezekiah and Myra (Miller) Bosworth, was born in Hampton, N. Y., June 9, 1814. His ancestors were among the earliest set- tlers of Boston.
Commencing his education at the com- mon schools of Hampton, he entered the Castleton Academy and afterwards the Troy Conference Academy. Leaving school at the age of eighteen he returned to assist his father in the management of his farm, and while here taught school for several seasons. Buying an estate adjoining that of his father he carried on both for about fifteen years. During this time he first felt the inclination to preach, and this he did with much success at the Advent church in Hampton. Subse- quently he removed to Bristol where he labored for five years. The next four years he was in Waterbury, engaging in business in conjunction with his labors for a strug-
BOSWORTH.
gling church, Later, Mr. Bosworth lived in Fair Haven and Cuttingsville, giving all the aid in his power to the Advent churches near those places. In 1868 he returned to Bris- tol and became permanently identified with the Bristol Manufacturing Co., of which he became one of the largest stockholders as well as its secretary and treasurer, which position he has held since. A large share of its success is owing to his business ability and enterprise.
Never taking any especial interest in poli- ties, Mr. Bosworth was first a Democrat and later on a member of the Free Soil party. Since that time he has been a consistent Republican. He has been prominently con- nected with the schools wherever he has resided.
DAVID BOSWORTH.
One of the best-known members of the Evangelical Advent church in the state he is at present president of the Society of Advent- ists of Vermont and the Province of Quebec.
Rev. Mr. Bosworth was married, Nov. 15, 1842, to Melina, daughter of William Hotch- kiss, of Hampton ; her death occurred Feb. 13, 1864. Of this union were born five children : Alice E, Amanda M., Evangeline A., Ida M, and William H. His second marriage was contracted with Carrie M., daughter of Harvey and Samantha (Bump) Boardman, March 14, 1865. By her he has had five children : B. Boardman, M. Helen, Myra M., Grace M., and David R.
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