USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 51
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DEXTER.
In politics Mr. Dewey has always been a Republican and has several times been chosen to office in the towns in which he has resided. In 1870 he was appointed clerk in the House of Representatives. In 1892 he represented the town of Barton in the Legislature and was a useful member of the committee on banks and the library. His religious preference is Congregational.
Mr. Dewey was married March 1, 1866, to Susan Augusta, daughter of Calvin and Ann (Fifield) Gerrish of Concord, N. H., and they have had three children : Fred, Edie, and Lena. The first named died in infancy.
DEXTER, AVERY J., late of Wardsboro, was the son of Charles and Lucinda ( Bas- comb) Dexter, and was born in Wardsboro, April 27, 1818, and died April 19, 1893.
He was educated at the common schools in the town, and worked on the home farm. In 1848 he began the manufacture of chairs and furniture, which business he carried on for two years. In 1850 he established a general merchandise store in Wardsboro, which he continued until 1880, carrying on a farm at the same time.
AVERY J. DEXTER.
Mr. Dexter is a man of character and abil- ity, and enjoyed the confidence of his fellow- townsmen, which will be readily gathered from the following facts.
He has been justice of the peace for over forty years, and has held the office of first
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DEXTER.
selectman for twenty three years, also town clerk since 1864. In 1858 and 1859 he was elected to the General Assembly, and served creditably in the first session held in the new State House, when Senator Edmunds was speaker. He was re-elected in 1864 and 1865, during the St. Albans raid, and voted tor the confirmation of Lincoln's emancipa tion of slavery. He was again elected in 1878 and 1879, and also in 1886.
Mr. Dexter was married March 12, 1841, to Miss Mary Durant, daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Durant) White of Gloucester, Mass. Of this union were nine children, six of whom are still living : Charles D., Ger- trude 1. ( Mrs. Marshall (. Howe), Frederic 11., Mary A. (Mrs. Brownson Matteson ), Lama J. (wife of D). L. Smith), and Effie E.
Mr. Dexter was fairly successful in his pri- vate business. He was generous, according to his means ; to accumulate a large property was never the aim of his life. He has left what is "better than riches-a good name." His unselfish and kindly interest in others, the sympathy and counsel that he has freely extended to those who have sought his advice, will long be held in grateful remem- brance by many whom he has thus befriended.
DEXTER, CHARLES D., of Wardsboro, son of Avery J. and Mary D). (White)
CHARLES D. DEXTER.
Dexter, was born in Wardsboro, Nov. 22, 1843.
He attended the common schools of his
uative town, and then pursued a course of study at the Leland and Gray Seminary in 'Townshend.
For some time he devoted himself to the interests of education as a teacher, and then removed to Baltimore, Md., where he en- gaged in business for a considerable period. In 1864 he returned to Wardsboro, and after some years began the manufacture of sieve hoops, which business he has carried on up to the present time. Mr. Dexter has also been engaged in farming to some extent.
In his political preference he is a staunch Republican, and was elected to the Legis- lature in 1890.
He was married Dec. 25, 1870, to Rosa 1., daughter of Jason S. and Carrie (Thomp- son ) Knowlton of Wardsboro. Their union has been blessed with three children : Carrie M., James A., and Charles K.
Mr. Dexter has held many and varied positions of honor and trust in his town, and has a strong hold upon the esteem of his fellow-townsmen as an able and conscien- tious citizen, a kind friend and good neighbor.
DEXTER, ELEAZER, of Reading, was born in Hardwick, Mass., July 7, 1813, and was the son of Eleazer and Charity (Will- iams) Dexter. His father followed the business of farming in Hardwick, and fell fighting bravely in the service of his country at the battle of Plattsburg in 1814. Eleazer, Jr., was the youngest of a family of fifteen children and received such an education as could be obtained in the common schools of those days. Manifesting a great taste for music, at the early age of thirteen he began to travel with his brother, whom he assisted in giving entertainments, of which music formed the principal part. Soon his ambi- tion led him to higher aspirations and he became a facile composer of music of a light character, many of his efforts being received with great approbation. In 1843 Mr. Dex- ter located at Reading to give instruction in band music.
He has never entered political life, but in 1880 was elected representative from Read- ing. Receiving excellent instruction in his art from eminent musicians in Boston, he be- came an eminent teacher of both vocal and instrumental music, and has had for his pupils many who have since found both profit and fame in their profession, notably the Stratton Brothers, George M. Clark, Hank White, O. A. Whitmore and Theodore J. Allen, both well known solo performers on the clarinet and cornet, all of whom were originally citizens of Reading.
During the war of the rebellion Mr. Dex- ter travelled extensively through New Eng- land, New York and Canada exhibiting a
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panorama of the principal events of that war, accompanying the entertainment with both vocal and instrumental music. He com- posed at the time many patriotic songs which proved to be very popular.
Notwithstanding his four score years, Mr. Dexter lives peacefully in the enjoyment of a good old age, cheered by memories of the past and in confident hope for the future.
DICKEY, ASA M., of Bradford, son of Adam and Anna (Merrill) Dickey, was born at East Orange, March 10, 1821.
His grandfather Adam with his two broth- ers served in the Revolutionary war, in which struggle the two latter lost their lives.
He received his education in the common schools and the Methodist Seminary at
ASA M. DICKEY.
Newbury. During his struggle for an edu- cation, he defrayed a part of its cost by teaching school and at the time seriously thought of making this profession his life- long occupation, but the law proved a stronger attraction to his active mind and he commenced to read with Hon. John Colby of Washington, completing his studies with Hon. Levi B. Vilas of Chelsea. He was admitted to the bar at the June term in 1845. Soon after Mr. Dickey met with a lifelong misfortune in an impairment of vision, but he nevertheless persevered in his chosen profession, and opened an office at West Topsham, where his success was marked and immediate. He was elected
DICKINSON.
state's attorney of Orange county in 1850 and was re-elected the succeeding year. Mr. Dickey then formed a partnership with Hon. C. B. Leslie of Wells River and re- mained there till 1856, when he opened an office at Bradford, where he did a large and increasing business. In 1870 he moved to St. Johnsbury and entered into partnership with Walter F. Smith. At this time he was again troubled with his eyes, but he soon attained a large and lucrative practice in Caledonia, Orleans, Washington and Essex counties. After a serious illness, he re- turned to Bradford and although seeking no business, he has been retained in many im- portant cases.
In 1853 he was chairman of the Demo- cratic state committee and was appointed chief of staff with the rank of colonel by Governor Robinson. He was a delegate to the national convention of 1864 and in 1869 represented Bradford in the Legislature, was candidate for speaker and a member of the judiciary committee. For two suc- cessive years he was Democratic candidate for Congress and one year his party's candi- date for U. S. senator. He was also ap- pointed by President Cleveland postmaster at Bradford.
Colonel Dickey was largely instrumental in the organization of the Merchants National Bank of St. Johnsbury, and is president of the village corporation of Bradford.
He was united in marriage July 9, 1846, to Harriet M., daughter of John and Lucy Wood Chubb of Corinth. Three children have been born to them, two daughters- who died in early life-and one son, George A., a well-known young lawyer of Bradford.
Colonel Dickey is a prominent member of the M. E. Church and was appointed by the bishop lay delegate to an ecumenical coun- cil in London. Professionally he is best appreciated in his jury practice. His in- timate knowledge of human nature and cor- rect judgment of motives have made him a master of the art of cross-examination. His strength as an advocate lies in the clear ex- position of his case, his logical deduction from the evidence, and his earnest sincerity.
DICKINSON, ALBERT JOYCE, of Ben- son, son of Isaac and Cornelia (Coleman) Dickinson, was born in Benson, April 5, 1841.
His education was that of the common schools of the time, and after he had grad- uated from them he continued the pursuit of knowledge at the Castleton Seminary. Born and reared upon a farm, he has naturally fol- lowed that occupation, and has always lived in the place of his birth, except an interval of four years, extending from 1873 to 1877, when he removed to the town of West Haven.
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DILLINGHAM.
At duty's call he enrolled himself in Co. D, 14th \t. Vols., and with this organization was present at the battle of Gettysburg, receiving an honorable discharge at the expiration of his term of enlistment.
In his political affiliations he is a Republi- van, and so far merited the confidence of his fellow citizens, that they chose him a member of the House of Representatives in 1886, and elected him as senator from Rut- land county in 1890.
Ile is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, having associated himself with Acacia Lodge, No. 91, in which he has been called to fill the Master's chair. He also belongs to John A. Logan Post, No. 88, G. A. R., and is enrolled among the Sons of the Ameri- can Revolution.
Mr. Dickinson was married at Benson, Oct. 7, 1867, to Helen Goodrich, danghter of Benjamin and Ursula (Goodrich ) Bascom, of which marriage have been born : Florence Bascom, Fannie Coleman, John Quincy, Ben- jamin Horace, Charles Albert, and Colleen Amelia.
DILLINGHAM, WILLIAM PAUL, third son of Paul and Julia (Carpenter) Dilling- ham, was born in Waterbury, Dec. 12, 1843. His great-grandfather, John Dillingham, was
WILLIAM PAUL DILLINGHAM.
killed at Quebec while serving under Wolfe, and his grandfather, Paul Dillingham, served three years in the Revolution, and settled in Waterbury in 1805.
William, after attending the common
DILLON.
schools, went to Newbury Seminary and to Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, N. Il. He read law with his brother-in-law, Matt H. Carpenter, in Milwaukee from 1864 to 1866, and then with his father, Gov. Paul Dillingham, at Waterbury, and was admitted to the bar at the September term, 1867, of Washington county court.
Ile was, in 1866, appointed secretary of civil and military affairs to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Charles M. Gay, Esq., and was again secretary of civil and military affairs during the administra- tion of Gov. Asahel Peck, 1874 to 1876.
Mr. Dillingham was elected state's attor- ney for Washington county in 1872, and re- elected in 1874. The trial of Magoon for the murder of Streeter, and that of Miles for the Barre bank robbery, both of which resulted in conviction, were events in his time as prosecuting officer that attracted much public attention, but they represented but a small part of his labors, for the docket was then crowded with criminal causes.
He represented Waterbury in the House in 1876 and again in 1884, and was a sena- tor from Washington county in 1878 and 1880. In 1882 he was appointed commis- sioner of state taxes under the new tax law of that year, and held the office of commis- sioner for six years. In 1888, as the Repub- lican candidate for Governor, he did effect- ive work as a campaign speaker for Harri- son and Morton, and was elected Governor by the largest majority ever given in the state to a candidate for that position.
He has practiced law since his admission to the bar, and was, till his father retired, a member of the firm of P. Dillingham & Son, and thereafter for some years was in prac- tice alone. Upon the expiration of his term as Governor in October, 1890, the partner- ship of Dillingham & Huse was formed. In 1892 Fred A. Howland became a member of the firm which is now Dillingham, Huse & Howland.
Mr. Dillingham married, Dec. 24, 1874, Mary E. Shipman, daughter of Rev. Isaiah H. and Charlotte R. Shipman of Lisbon, N. H. They have one son, Paul Shipman, born Oct. 27, 1878.
Governor Dillingham is a Methodist, and was a lay delegate from Vermont to the General Conference of the M. E. Church at Omaha in 1893. He is president of the board of trustees of the Vermont Methodist Seminary.
DILLON, JOHN W., of Putnamsville, son of William and Sarah. (Megaw) Dillon, was born in East Montpelier, July 17, 1850.
He received the usual privileges of a farmer's son, attending the district schools of his native town and the Washington
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DIX.
DIMICK.
county grammar school. Soon after he went into a railroad office and learned the art of telegraphy. Subsequently he acted as book- keeper for John C. Dow & Co., of Lawrence, Mass., and afterwards entered into an en- gagement with C. C. Putnam & Son of Put- namsville to perform the duties of clerk, bookkeeper and overseer of their extensive business, and with them he remained four- teen years.
Mr. Dillon is now interested in the granite and insurance business at Barre, and he has also become the owner of some valu- able granite properties near Hardwick.
He was appointed postmaster by the Re- publican administration of 1881, and held that position till his resignation in July, 1892. He has been justice of the peace during nearly his entire residence in Middlesex, which town elected him representative in 1892 and he served on the general com- mittee. He has always been interested in public affairs and when called to office has conscientiously discharged his duties and responsibilities to the general satisfaction of those who have entrusted him with the various positions he has assumed.
Mr. Dillon was married Dec. 15, 1880, to Belle M., daughter of G. M. and Mary S. (Putnam) Whitney of Middlesex. They have one child living : Grace E. A son, Paul, died Feb. 13, 1890.
DIMICK, GEORGE WASHINGTON, of Windham, son of Nathan and Tabitha (Fairbanks) Dimick, was born in Sherburne, Nov. 7, 1837.
Mr Dimick received his early education at the common schools of Bridgewater ; also at Windsor high school and Black River Academy. During the winters he followed the occupation of teacher in the district schools, and in the summer labored on the farm. In October, 1860, he removed to Windham, where he purchased a property, and on this he has since resided.
Mr. Dimick has served as selectman sev- eral terms and also represented the town in the state Legislature in 1872 and 1882. He has discharged the duties of superintendent of schools, town agent, and trustee of public money, while as a business pursuit he has followed the shipping of produce for twenty- five years.
Mr. Dimick was married, March 28, 1860, to Belle P., daughter of Alvah and Cherry (Davis) Peck.
DIX, SAMUEL NEVINS, of Montgomery Center, son of Samuel and Maria B. (Church) Dix, was born in Troy, May 4, 1839.
The boyhood and youth of Mr. Dix were spent in the useful occupations of a farmer's life, and he gleaned somewhat scanty instruc-
tion at the district schools of Troy, Derby, Coventry and Albany ; attending the Albany Academy for a brief period.
After attaining his majority, he was em- ployed in agricultural labor until the civil war, when in 1862 he enlisted as a private in Co. I, 15th Regt., Vt. Vols., and was dis- charged after his term of nine months' service.
When Mr. Dix returned from the scene of action and resumed the occupations of civil life he pursued his former vocation for some time, and then entered the employ of Dun- can Harvey, of Peacham. In 1870 he trans- ferred his services to Columbus Green, of Montgomery. In 1875 Hon. W. H. Stiles purchased the business, and Mr. Dix faith-
SAMUEL NEVINS DIX.
fully served him till 1878, when he was taken into partnership, and the arrangement lasted until the death of Mr. Stiles in 1891.
He is of Republican political faith, has been entrusted with the positions of select- man, justice of the peace, and town grand juror, was a member of the Legislature in 1880 and again in 1882, was for a time assistant postmaster, and has been entrusted with the settlement of many estates.
Mr. Dix was married, Oct. 28, 1875, to Annette L., daughter of Hon. William H. and B. M. Stiles. One child has been born to them : Alfa May.
He is a charter member and Past Com- mander of Charles Haile Post, No. 95, G. A. R., of Montgomery. Mr. Dix is a man of affable address and a successful financier.
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DODGI.
DODGE, ANDREW JACKSON, of Low. ell, son of Andrew and Artimissa (Kelton ) Dodge, was born in Montpelier, Jan. 11, 1825, and in April, 1848, removed with his parents to Lowell.
Educated in the schools of Montpelier, when he arrived at man's estate he began to teach in Montpelier, Middlesex, Lowell, Westfield, and Eden. In early life he pur- chased his present valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Besides his regu- lar farm work he has paid considerable at- tention to lumbering and has dealt exten- sively in Barre plows. For forty years Mr. Dodge has been an agent for the sale of unocenpied real estate, and since 1855 has
ANDREW JACKSON DODGE.
been the business manager in Lowell of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of which he was a director.
Mr. Dodge has been a strong Republican ever since the formation of that party and his fellow-citizens have bestowed upon him many of the town offices, selectman, lister, first constable ; fifteen years he was town superintendent of schools, and justice of the peace most of the time for the last forty years. He was a member of the state Leg- islature at the regular sessions of 1859-'60 and the special session of '61. He was elected sheriff of Orleans county in 1872 and held the office two years,
September 9, 1855, he was married to Sarah C., daughter of E. S. and Irene Snow of Montpelier. By her he had three chil- dren, of whom two are now living : Clar-
ence, and Clara ( Mrs. J. K. Little of Boston). He was again united, to Lucinda C., danghi- ter of E. S. and Irene Snow, Oct. 14, 1864, and from this marriage there were three children : Sarah, Alton, and Andrew Jack- son (all deceased ).
Mr. Dodge has always been liberal in his religious beliefs and a public-spirited man, ready to help in all worthy enterprises.
DODGE, HARVEY, of Post Mills, son of Eliphalet S. and Mary (Cox) Dodge, was born at Thetford, August 26, 1821.
Eliphalet S. came to Thetford in 1862 and purchased one-half of the original Post farm, on which most of the thriving village of Post Mills is located, and pursued the ocen- pations of a farmer and lumberman. Eliph- alet S. was unele of the well-known George Peabody, the millionaire banker and philan- thropist of London, who, while he was a poor boy, resided nearly two years with Mr. Dodge upon his farm and received from him much kindness and encourage- ment.
Mr. Harvey Dodge was brought up upon the farm and has always resided there ex- cept four years which he spent in Norwich. He successfully devotes himself to farming and stock raising.
" Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days." Mr. Peabody in remembrance of his early associations has endowed the village of Post Mills with a public library, his own name has been given to the institution and his cousin Harvey who gave the site holds the position of librarian. By the terms of the bequest, three members of the Dodge family, while such members survive, are made permanent trustees and with them are associated other elective members and the resident minister or minis- ters of the parish. This library contains nearly six thousand well selected volumes.
Mr. Dodge was united in marriage April 9, 1846, to Sarah Jane, daughter of Halsey and Mercy ( Burton) Riley. They have had four children, two of whom are living : Burton R., and Henry M. In a second union he was married to Martha E., daughter of Frederic and Anna (Chandler) Ladd.
Mr. Dodge has held many positions of trust and honor. He has always been Re- publican and as such has been deputy sheriff fourteen years and justice of the peace for sixteen consecutive terms. He was elected to represent Thetford by a large majority in 1870, and was made assistant judge of Orange county court in 1876. For twenty years he has belonged to Crystal Lake Lodge, I. O. O. F. The standing of Judge Dodge in town and county is attested by the many important positions to which he has been chosen.
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DODGE.
DODGE, JOHN LOCKE, of Barton Landing, son of William P. and Nancy L. (Locke) Dodge, was born in Irasburg, Oct. 21, 1833.
His educational advantages were limited to the common schools and the academies of Derby and Brownington.
When nineteen years of age, he com- menced his active career as a teacher, but three years later was seized with the western fever and went West, where he engaged in the hotel business, but returned to his native
JOHN LOCKE DODGE.
state in 1860, and has been since that year a Vermont farmer.
Since the formation of the Republican party, he has given it his steady adherence, and for his loyalty and ability has been en- trusted with many official responsibilities both by the town and county. For twenty- five years he has most creditably discharged the duties of these, and in 1892 was chosen to represent Irasburg in the Legislature.
Mr. Dodge is an earnest supporter of the Congregational church in Irasburg, and has contributed by his influence and energy to its success.
He was united in marriage, Oct. 15, 1861, to Sarah Jane, daughter of Hiram and Ruth (Cogswell) Merrill, by whom he has one son : Carlos A.
Mr. Dodge stands high in the esteem of his fellows and can boast of a useful life, the honor and probity of which have been duly appreciated by his friends and neighbors.
DODGE.
DODGE, PRENTISS CUTLER, of Bur- lington, son of Robert and Alma C. (Wheeler) Dodge, was born in East Mont- pelier, Feb. 13, 1849.
Obliged to abandon school at the early age of eleven years, Mr. Dodge was apprenticed to the late Hiram Atkins. He remained with him, serving his time, and then worked as a journeyman printer in Burlington, Springfield, Boston and New York. In 1872 he made an extensive tour through the southern states, and upon his return followed the calling of commercial traveler in various lines of business.
In 1889 Mr. Dodge entered into an engagement as Burlington correspondent of the Rutland Herald, and in the following year purchased the Burlington Independent, which enjoys the distinction of being the only Democratic paper in Northern Ver- mont. In 1890 he put in a job office, which
PRENTISS CUTLER DODGE,
now requires three presses to turn out his commercial work, and his business is in- creasing rapidly.
Mr. Dodge married, Dec. 8, 1874, in Buf- falo, N. Y., Nelia M. Kent of Rome, N. Y.
He has never held political office, nor does he belong to any secret societies, ex- cept that he is a member and Past Chancel- lor Commander of Champlain Lodge, No. 7, Knights of Pythias of Burlington. Though without school advantages since the age of eleven, he has come to the editorial chair by an excellent and well proved route-the
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DONNELLY.
DOTY.
Greeley route ; a hard climb that once made gives strength for and good assurance of permanent success.
September 1, 1893, Mr. Dodge received the appointment of immigrant inspector, suc- ceeding Gen. W. W. Henry of Burlington.
DONNELLY, JOHN H., of Vergennes, son of Thomas and Mary (McDonald) Donnelly was born in Keesville, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1855.
His early education was obtained in the Vergennes graded school and afterward from a course of instruction at the college at Ottawa, Canada. fle commenced the active career of his life by entering the employ of the Vermont Seat & Roller Co. as a clerk and in this continued for about five years ; and in 1878 he commenced the occupation of merchant tailoring, and has established one of the largest and most extensive retail trades in the state.
Mr. Donnelly is a firm believer in the doctrines of the Democratic party and has been alderman of the city of Vergennes for three years. He has also served on the board of council and as a Democrat has been highly honored by his party, of which he is one of the chief leaders in the state. In the last two Democratic conventions at St. Louis and Chicago he has been appointed delegate, and has also been nominated for various. town and county offices. He is prominent and takes a deep interest in all the firemen's organizations of the state. He is a member of the Vergennes Volunteers and is one of the executive committee of the Fireman's Association of Vermont.
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