USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 50
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Mr. Davenport was a Democrat, but always erratic, and in his later years usually styled himself an Independent. In the cam- paign of 1860, the distinction between the Douglas and Breckenridge faction was most clearly marked and bitterly fought among the Vermont Democrats. Mr. Davenport rapidly rose to the leadership of the Douglas wing until it gained the control of the party in the state. Several times he was the Dem- ocratic candidate of his district for election to Congress. In 1865, and again in 1868, he was the Democratic nominee for Gov- ernor. Painful and deep-seated disease brought him to his deathbed, April 12, I882. His funeral from the Baptist church of Brattleboro was largely attended by the citizens and by members of the Masonic fraternity, to which he had long belonged.
He was married on the 12th of December, 1854, to Louisa Haynes of Lowell, Mass.,
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who bore him sis children, of whom four died young, Two still survive : Charles II., and Herbert J. Mrs Davenport died Sept. 30, 1870, and he contracted a second alliance on the 6th of November, 1871, with Roxanna J., widow of Henry Dunkler of Brattleboro. She died May 22, 1881.
DAVISON, AMORY, of Craftsbury, son of Amory and Nancy ( Mills) Davison, was born in Craftsbury, June 29, 1830.
AMORY DAVISON,
He came of an old Revolutionary family, and his grandfather served in the Conti- nental army.
Mr. Davison was educated at the schools of Craftsbury and at Bakersfield and Crafts- bury Academies. He commenced his busi- ness career as a farmer in 1854, and followed that occupation for twelve years, but at the end of that period, turned his attention to buying and selling neat stock, in which busi- ness he still continues to engage, though he has never lost his interests in agricultural pursuits. In 1868 he was elected director of the Irasburg National Bank, and con- tinued to act in that capacity until the affairs of that institution were wound up in 1875. When the Barton National Bank was organ- ized in 1875, he was chosen to fill succes- sively the offices of director, vice-president and president, which last position he still retains.
A whig of the Horace Greeley school, he joined the Republican party at its inception
DAVIDSON.
in 1854, and no less ardently adheres to their principles now as thirty-nine years since, or during the war of the rebellion.
He has been selected to fill about all of the town offices, and has served as select- man fourteen years ; was sent to the Legis- lature in 1860, and was a state senator from Orleans county in 1892. Appointed railroad commissioner by Governor Page, he was again assigned to this post by Governor Fuller in 1802.
He was united in marriage, June 26, 1855, to A. Augusta, daughter of Merrill and Lauretta (West) Williams of Greensboro. Three children have been the fruit of their marriage : Portus W., Amanda, and Julius E.
DAVIDSON, MILON, of Newfane, son of Alvan and Ann ( Howe) Davidson, was born in Unity, N. H., Nov. 28, 1834. In his early childhood his parents removed to Acworth, N. H., where he was brought up to
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MILON DAVIDSON.
his father's occupation, that of a farmer. From the age of fourteen to seventeen he was in the employ of Capt. Samuel Mc- Clure, a neighboring farmer.
His early school advantages were limited, for he had only one term a year, from the age of ten to twenty-one, but his evenings were devoted to his books, and he generally rose three or four hours before sunrise to study by the light of the fire or a tallow can- dle. He fitted for college at Meriden and at New London, N. H., and, continuing\his
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studies under great privations and discour- agements, graduated at Dartmouth in 1862. He then taught as principal-mostly in academies-twelve years, reading law, as opportunity offered, with Mr. Soule of Fair- fax and Hon. A. Stoddard of Townshend, and was admitted to the bar in 1872. In 1874, without solicitation on his part, he was chosen treasurer of the Windham County Savings Bank, and still holds that office. The business of the bank increasing, he has, in recent years, necessarily devoted more of his time to that, and less to the [practice of law.
He is a member of the executive commit- tee, trustee and treasurer of Leland and Gray Seminary, treasurer of the Windham County Creamery Association and a director in the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Mont- pelier. He has been director in the Brat- tleboro & Whitehall Railroad Co., superin- tendent of schools and president of the Christian Aid Association.
Formerly as a Democrat and more recently as a Prohibitionist, he has received the votes of his party for town representative and state's attorney. He was a delegate to the national convention of the Prohibition party in 1888; a candidate on their ticket for presidential elector the same year, and for state treasurer in 1892.
He married Gratia E., daughter of Samuel A. and Rachel (Woodworth) Andrews, of Richmond, Nov. 28, 1864. They have one child : Lula Estella.
At the centennial celebration of Acworth, N. H., Mr. Davidson read an original poem, which is published in the history of that town, and at the opening of the B. & W. R. R. he wrote a lengthy metrical composi- tion-commemorating that event-which at- tracted much attention.
Mr. Davidson is a member of the Baptist church, but has liberally aided other denomi- nations. He has a reputation for strict hon- esty and high moral character; yet he is best appreciated by those who know him most intimately.
DAVIS, DENNISON, of Putney, son of Alanson and Experience (Orvis) Davis, was born in Putney, May 3, 1819.
His early education was obtained at the district schools of his native town and at a select school in Dummerston.
Mr. Davis spent most of his life on the home farm, branching out into the horse and cattle business as a side issue. For many years past he has devoted a large share of his time to the importation of Can- adian horses and the shipment of cattle to the markets at Brighton.
Mr. Davis has in turn held every im- portant town office except town clerk and
DAVIS.
treasurer, since he attained his majority, and represented his town in the General Assembly of 1880.
Mr. Davis was married in 1840 to Cather- ine M., daughter of Zora and Abigail ( Orvis) Scott. Mrs. Davis died in 1878. There was one son from this union, who died in 1876, leaving two children, a daughter and son : Hattie E., and Dennison P.
DENNISON DAVIS.
He has been chosen administrator of many estates and always performed the ser- vice with honor to himself and satisfaction to all concerned.
Mr. Davis was again married in 1886 to Abbie Jane (Joslin) Evans, and now lives on the Lorenzo Davis farm one mile north of Putney Village.
DAVIS, FRANK E., of Davis Bridge, son of Freeborn G. and Sara (Brown) Davis, was born in Whitingham, May 22, 1847.
His family were among the earliest settlers of the town. His progenitors for three generations have successively lived on the farm where Mr. Davis now resides.
His education commenced at the Leland and Gray Seminary, Townshend, but later he studied at Arms Academy, Shelburne Falls, Mass., and was graduated from Burnham's Business College, Springfield, Mass.
After his graduation Mr. Davis was first employed as a traveling agent, but in 1868 he engaged his services as a clerk at Reads-
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boro and later became a member of the firin of Stearns & Davis. After three years' commection with this concern, he moved to Turners Falls, at which place he engaged in business for a year. He then returned to Whitingham, and though possessing a farni, he has worked much of the time for E. J. Bullock & Co. of Readsboro as salesman. In 1887, on account of the failing health of his parents, he moved to the homestead where he now resides. During the summer season Mr. Davis is the manager of the Spring Hotel at Sadawga, and is now the station agent at Whitingham for the II. T. & W. R. R.
In polities he has been a Republican and was the nominee of that party for repre- sentative in 1870. He has been chairman of the board of selectmen for two years, re- ceiving the unanimous vote of his towns- men, and has also discharged the duties of a lister for many terms. In 1892 he was made a justice of the peace.
Mr. Davis affiliates with the Deerfield Val- ley Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Readsboro, and is the V. G. of the same. He is a member of the M. E. Church at Wilmington. He was married in Whitingham, August 21, 1873, to Ida M., daughter of J. and Olive (Sweet) Bullard. They have three children : F. Rockwell, Sara, and F. Elliot.
DAVIS, FRANK WILLIAM, of Bakersfield, son of Joel C. and Martha ( Montgomery) Davis, was born in Honeoye Falls, N. Y., July 31, 1850.
He received a good common school edu- cation. At the age of twenty-four he com- menced his business career at East Fairfield, but in 1878 removed to Belvidere, where he has ever since made his home, with the exception of two years, when he was engaged in trade at Bakersfield.
Mr. Davis was married at Bakersfield to Emeroy F., daughter of Ira F. and Mahala A. Dean, by whom he has had three chil- dren.
From 1889 to 1893 he has been in part- nership with several others in the manu- facture of butter tubs at Belvidere Centre, and the enterprise has proved remunerative and been of much benefit to that com- munity.
Mr. Davis has filled all the town offices, and for five years has been an active member of the Lamoille county Republican com- mittee. He represented the town in 1888, and served on the Grand List committee, and was its secretary.
He belongs to both the Masonic frater- nity and the order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Mount Norris Lodge F. & A. M., of Tucker Chapter R. A. M. at Morrisville,
and of Burlington Commeil, and he is in good standing with Sterling Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Hyde Park.
DAVIS, GEORGE, of East Montpelier, son of Timothy and Pauline (Stevens) Davis, was born in East Montpelier (then a part of Montpelier ), March 13, 1835. Clark Stevens, his maternal grandfather, was the well known pioneer and Quaker preacher of the town of Montpelier, and Mr. Davis was brought up in the peaceful tenets of that per- suasion.
The public schools of Montpelier fur- nished him his early educational training, and his life has been passed upon the fine old farm where he was born. From this last statement it is needless to name his calling,
GEORGE DAVIS.
but Mr. Davis is a specialist in his profes- sion, and is known far and wide for his herd of Devon cattle. Specimens of these have brought him many a premium at the state and New England fairs, while as a breeder of Light Brahma fowls he is unrivalled. Mr. Davis is also interested in the breeding of colts, and for a long time was accustomed to serve as the starting judge at horse races, in which position he always manifested the needed qualities of firmness and decision. He is a most excellent judge of all farm ani- mals, and consequently is much demanded as a member of the awarding committees at county fairs and all gatherings of a like nature ; for this office his conscientious im- partiality especially fits him. He has been
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DAVIS.
many years a director and vice-president of the State Agricultural Society.
Mr. Davis received the Republican vote and the election for member of the General Assembly in 1884, and served on the com- mittee on highways and bridges.
DAVIS, GILBERT A., of Windsor, son of Asa and Mary ( Hosmer) Davis, was born Dec. 18, 1835, at Chester.
" Receiving an education limited to the district school and Chester Academy, he commenced to teach when he was fifteen years of age. In 1852, he removed to New Jersey, where he pursued the same profes- sion for four years, giving instruction at Belvidere and other places in Warren and Hunterdon counties. Here he began to
GILBERT A. DAVIS.
read law with Hon. J. G. Shipman of Belvi- dere. Returning to Vermont, he continued the study of his profession in the office of Hon. William Rounds of Chester and later with Messrs. Washburn (P. T.) & Marsh (Charles P.) of Woodstock.
Mr. Davis was admitted to the bar at the May term of the Windsor county court in 1859. He remained with his last instruct- ors about a year and then removed to Felchville in Reading. Here he remained for nearly twenty years, and laid the founda- tion of a large and successful practice, and still keeps an office in Felchville since his removal to Windsor in 1879.
He has always been identified with public improvements, is a director in the Windsor
Electric Light Co., has been a trustee of the village, and when the water works were con- structed he was one of the commissioners for that purpose, and is the president and treasurer of the Windsor Machine Co.
Mr. Davis is a member of the Republican party and has held many important town offices. In 1858 and 1861 he was assistant clerk of the House of Representatives and to him was intrusted the task of making out the grand list. He served as Register of Probate for Windsor county for five years, and represented Reading in 1872 and 1874, serving both years on the committee on education, of which he was chairman at the session of 1874. He was elected to the Senate in 1876, where he was a member of both educational and judiciary committees. He was state's attorney for Windsor county for the term of two years, 1878-'80. In 1874 he was selected by Governor Peck to com- pile the school laws of Vermont and he has also published a history of Reading. At the celebration of the centenary of that town, he delivered the address, and was also the orator at the centennial celebration of the adoption of the constitution and name of the state, held at Windsor, August 9, 1877.
Mr. Davis has been for many years an official of the Vermont Historical Society ; a member of the Vermont Commandery of Knights Templar, the clerk of the Congre- gational Society of Windsor and the super- intendent of the Sabbath school.
He was a member of the Republican national convention at Chicago in 1888, and a member of the Triennial Council of Congregational Churches at Worcester in 1889 and Minneapolis in 1892.
In April, 1862, he was married to Delia I. Bolles, at Turner, Ill., and their union has been blessed with four children, two of whom are now living : Mary I., and Gil- bert F.
DAVIS, SAMUEL RAY, of Troy, son of Ray and Hannah (Brown) Davis, was born in Troy, April 19, 1837.
His father was one of the first settlers of the town, having moved there in 1833 from Lexington, Mass.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of the town, and at Bakersfield Academy. At an early age he acquired a taste for general reading, which has increased with increasing years, and his well-stocked library of carefully selected books bears witness that his taste has been well cultivated. Mr. Davis has always re- sided in his native town. He is known as a progressive farmer whose success may be largely attributed to his untiring energy, together with good judgment and sound sense.
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In politics he is a staunch Republican ; though of an unasstuing nature he has been often honored by the confidence of his fellow citizens. He has held the various town offices, from juryman to selectman, and represented Troy in the state Legislature in 1867 and '68. He was one of the county road commissioners in 1886'87, and assist- ant judge for two terms from 1888.
SAMUEL RAY DAVIS.
He is a close observer, and his extensive reading combined with a retentive memory serve to keep him abreast with the leading topics of the day.
An evolutionist in his belief, his religious preferences are liberal, though he supports and attends the Congregational church.
Judge Davis was married in 1858 to Orcelia Kenney of Fairfield, by whom he has had four children.
DEAVITT, JOHN JAMES, of St. Albans, son of John and Anna (Manley) Deavitt, was born in Brunswick, N. Y., May 3, 1808.
During the winter of 1819, he was a student of the Lancastrian School of Troy, N. Y., and seven years subsequently entered the St. Albans Academy after which, having made choice of his profession, he read law in the offices of Royce & Hunt and Hon. David Read. Mr. Deavitt was a cadet at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point in 1828, and stood high in his class.
In 1831 he was employed in the office of Judge Cushman at Troy, N. Y., and soon
DEAVI11.
after became a partner of Henry Wilson, Esq., city attorney. He then removed, first to St. Albans, and afterwards to Johnson, where he was assistant of Cornelius Lynde, the postmaster. After an interval of district school teaching, in 1833 he located in St. Albans and formed a law partnership with Hon. Orlando Stephens, at the expiration of which he was appointed deputy collector and inspector of U. S. Customs for Franklin, where he became a resident and practiced his profession for sixteen years in conjune- tion with his duties as a United States official. In 1853 he returned to St. Albans, having an office in connection with Judge William Bridges till 1870.
Mr. Deavitt has been a staunch and lifelong Democrat, yet he was elected from Franklin in November, 1842, as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention held in Montpelier during the following year. He was appointed postmaster of St. Albans under the adminis- tration of President Buchanan, and held the office under President Lincoln till 1862. He was admitted to practice in the United States District Court at Windsor in May, 1848, and seventeen years after he received a similar
JOHN JAMES DEAVITT.
privilege at Washington with respect to the Supreme Court of the United States. In April, 1874, he was elected municipal judge by a large majority, three-fourths of the voters being Republicans, and unanimously- chosen at a second election, after which he declined to serve. He was a delegate to the.
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DEMING.
national Democratic convention held in New York in 1868. He has acted as chair- man of jail commissioners of Franklin county.
Judge Deavitt was united in wedlock Nov. 25, 1830, at St. Albans, to Patience, daughter of Willard and Sarah (Jewell) Wing.
This venerable old man was present at the laying of the corner stone of the present college edifice at Burlington in July, 1825, and distinctly remembers witnessing the reception of LaFayette and his son George, as they were escorted into Burlington by Governor Van Ness.
Judge Deavitt has given largely to chari- table objects, and he has ever been liberally munificent to friends and relatives. He is a firm believer in the Christian religion, and has been both director and president of the First Congregational Society of St. Albans. He still takes a great interest in courts and judicial proceedings, and is an indefatigable reader of history, keeping himself well in- formed with regard to all subjects of current interest. Judge Deavitt is reputed to be an able lawyer, and an eloquent and persuasive jury advocate.
DEMING, FRANKLIN, of Wells River, son of Benjamin F. and Eunice (Clark) Deming, was born in the town of Danville, Sept. 11, 1828.
His early educational training was received in the public schools of Danville and at Derby Academy and the Phillips Academy in his native town. His father was an old resident of the place, for a long time judge of probate and county clerk, and afterwards a member of Congress.
Mr. Deming was six years of age when he had the misfortune to lose his father, and after completing his education he worked as clerk in a store for seven years. When he became of age he removed to Wisconsin, where he remained a year, and then settled in St. Johnsbury, where he engaged in the clothing business as a member of the firm of Boles & Deming. In 1857 he moved to Wells River, and has resided there ever since, engaged in general trade. He was first chosen a director of the National Bank of Newbury in 1874, and then president, a position he still holds. He also is president and half owner of the Adams Paper Co. of Wells River.
He has always been a Republican, and was a useful member of the Legislature of 1888, serving on the committee on banks. For twenty-five years he was postmaster.
He has taken the degree of Royal Arch Mason in Haswell Chapter of St. Johnsbury.
Mr. Deming married, October, 1854, Catherine, daughter of Francis Bingham, of
St. Johnsbury. Two children have been born of this union : Katie B. ( Mrs. Dr. H. H. Lee of Wells River), and Alice K.
FRANKLIN DEMING,
Mr. Deming commenced his business career with a very modest capital, but, with judgment and foresight, he has managed his affairs most advantageously, and is regarded as a sound and conscientious financier.
DEWEY, CHARLES, of Montpelier, oldest son of Dr. Julius Yemans and Mary (Perrin) Dewey, was born in Montpelier, March 27, 1826. He was fitted for college at the Washington county grammar school, and graduated at the University of Vermont in 1845.
In September, 1845, he was appointed assistant secretary of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Co. ; was elected secretary of that company, January, 1850, and held that office until Nov. 1, 1871. He was a director of that company for thirty years.
He was appointed a director of the National Life Insurance Co. in January, 1851, vice-president in 1871, and has been president of that company since 1877, when his father, who was the founder of the com- pany and its president, died. In 1865 he was elected a member of the first board of directors of the First National Bank of Montpelier ; in 1878 was elected vice-presi- dent, and in January, 1891, president.
For several years he was director and vice- president, and was elected president of the
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Lane Manufacturing Co. of Montpelier in 1801.
He has served as trustee of the Washing ton county grammar school since 18644 and as president of the board since 1879 ; also trustee of several boards appointed by the Episcopal diocesan convention of Vermont. He was for many years a delegate from
CHARLES DEWEY,
Christ Church, Montpelier, to the diocesan convention, and in 1886 a lay delegate from the diocese to the general convention of the Episcopal church, held that year in Phila- delphia. He has been for over forty years a vestryman and for more than nineteen years a warden of Christ Church, Montpelier.
He was three times elected a state sena- tor, serving as such in 1867-'68-'69. He was appointed state inspector of finance by Gov- ernor Barstow in 1882 and served two years, but declined a reappointment by Governor Pingree.
May 3, 1848, he was married to Betsey Tarbox, daughter of Lund and Susan (Edson) Tarbox, of Randolph. Three sons and six daughters blessed their union. All save one daughter, Ella L. (Mrs. Carroll P. Pitkin), survive : Frances I. (Mrs. Henry E. Fifield), William T., Jennie D. (Mrs. Edward D. Blackwell), Mary G., George P., Gertrude M., Kate D., and Charles Robert.
DEWEY, CHARLES EDWARD, of Ben- nington, son of Jedediah and Hannah Eldred Dewey, was born in Bennington, Nov. 29, 1826.
DEWEY.
His education was received in the common. schools, and in early life he was prominently connected with the ochre trade, but he has always made farming his principal occupa- tion. He was born in the old Dewey house, built in 1774, around which cluster many interesting historie associations. It is one of the oldest houses in Vermont, and under its shelter some of the hardy rangers reposed before the battle of Bennington .. In this house Mr. Dewey and his father first saw the light.
Here the worthy son of worthy sires has received many distinguished guests desirous of visiting a spot hallowed by so many strik- ing memories of the past. The surrounding farm has been somewhat dismembered by cutting off portions for building lots, but much of it yet remains, which however, must soon be absorbed for the same purpose, as it lies in the residential portion of the village.
Mr. Dewey is an adherent of the Repub- lican party, and a Congregationalist in re- ligious faith. He has been incumbent of several town offices, notably that of select- man, while he has been prominently con- nected with the schools of Bennington as trustee, and one of the building committee
CHARLES EDWARD DEWEY.
of the graded high school. He is a charter member of the Vermont Historical Society, and the Bennington Battle Monument As- sociation. He was actively associated with the committee in the construction of the.
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monument and the celebration at its com- pletion.
Mr. Dewey was married Feb. 5, 1856, to Martha, daughter of Samuel I. Hamlen of Cleveland, Ohio. Seven children have been born to them : Mary ( Mrs. Charles Merrill of Bennington), Arthur J., Sarah (Mrs. B. C. Jenney of Bennington), George H., Charles H., Edward E., and Edith M.
DEWEY, HIRAM KINNE, of Barton, son of Lyman F. and Laura ( Kinne) Dewey, was born in Waterford, July 22, 1832.
HIRAM KINNE DEWEY.
He obtained his education at the public schools of his native town and the acade- mies of Peacham, McIndoes Falls and St. Johnsbury. For five years after leaving school he was engaged in teaching in Ver- mont and New Hampshire. In 1861 he was made chief clerk, and had charge of the U. S. Pension Agency at Concord, N. H., until 1865. In 1868 he held the posi- tion of engrossing clerk in the N. H. Legis- lature. In the fall of that year he moved to Lyndonville and was in trade and in the em- ploy of the Connecticut & Passumpsic R. R. for three years. In 1869 he received the appointment of postmaster at Lyndonville which office he resigned in 1871 to accept the position of cashier of the Irasburgh National Bank of Orleans, where he re- mained till 1875, when he was elected cashier of the Barton National Bank at Bar- ton which position he still holds.
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