USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 70
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In 1865 he was united in marriage to Adeline Desautels, daughter of Francis and Julia (Le Claire) Desautels of St. Jean Baptiste, P. Q., on the 21st day of April. By her he had three children : Helen (Mrs. Capt. M. H. Daniels of Vergennes), J. Henry, and Arthur. His wife died Oct. 9, 1870. Subsequently he married Mary A. Chagnon, daughter of John and Celeste (Trudeau) Chagnon, by whom he had four children : Lillie A., Luke L., Lizzie C., and George W.
Mr. Lavigne is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and also of St. Jean Bap- tiste Benevolent Society.
LAWTON, SHAILER EMERY, of Brattle- boro, son of Benjamin and Jane E. (Nettle- ton) Lawton, was born in Goshen, Conn., Oct. 3, 1853.
He attended the public schools of his na- tive town until 1863, when he removed with his parents to Great Barrington, Mass., where he took a course at the Sedgwick Institute, in the meantime assisting his father, who was a merchant. Mr. Lawton went to Bridgeport, Conn., in 1873, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, continuing for a year, when his desire for the study of medicine prevailed, and he returned to Great Barrington and was enrolled as a stu- dent under the watchful eye of that distin- guished physician, Clarkson T. Collins. He continued his studies here for a year, and then pursued a two years' course at the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, but owing to a lack of funds he was not able to remain. Learning from a
LAWTON.
friend of the medical department of the University of Vermont, of the exceptional opportunities offered there, he began anew, and availing himself of all the advantages of- fered by that institution, he was graduated M. D. in 1881. During the vacation time of his school years he was employed as attend- ant at the Hartford (Conn.) Retreat, where he was afforded special opportunities for the close study of mental diseases.
In 1881, after graduating, Doctor Lawton came to the Vermont Asylum for the Insane at Brattleboro, to fill the place of assistant. physician during the temporary absence in Europe of Doctor Draper. In the fall of 1881, at the resignation of Doctor Phelps, he
SHAILER EMERY LAWTON.
was appointed second assistant physician, and during the winter of 188 1-'82 he received the appointment of first assistant physician, to succeed Dr. J. W. Clark, holding that po- sition until the fall of 1889, when he resigned to fulfil a long-cherished design of spending a year in a special course of study in neuro- logical and psychological medicine. His resignation was not, however, accepted, and he was voted a year's leave of absence by the board of trustees. He spent six months of his year's leave at the Post-Graduate Medical School in New York, and the bal- ance of the time in travel abroad, visiting and studying at the principal institutions of the old world.
Doctor Lawton returned to Brattleboro in November, 1891, and again took up the du-
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1.CACTI.
ties of first assistant physician, which position he held until March 19, 1892, when, at the death of Doctor Draper, he received the appointment of acting superintendent, and was elected superintendent, April 20, 1802.
He was united in marriage, June 1, 1893, to Mary Lillian, daughter of Capt. James M. and Croline (Stamds) Upton, of Roxbury, Mass.
LEACH, CHESTER K., of Fletcher, son of Joseph and Olive (Burton) Leach, was born in Fairfield, Jan. 17, 1830.
CHESTER K, LEACH.
He was one of a family of seven children and his early history is that of hundreds of young men in his native state, born and bred upon the farm and in the intervals receiving a meagre education in the district schools.
From 1856 to the time of the civil war he was employed in the vocation to which he had been brought up, but sharing in the general outburst of patriotism that followed the fall of Fort Sumter, he enlisted in the 2d Regt. of the old Vt. Brigade and was mus- tered into the United States service June 20, 1861. He was immediately made 2d Lieut. of Co. H., and participated with his regi- ment in the first battle of Bull Run. After this defeat he was present at every important battle and engagement in which that veteran regiment took part, and received his dis- charge as Ist Lieut. after three years of gal- lant and arduous service.
Captain Leach was married, Oct. 8, 1851, to Ann A., daughter of Samuel and Hannah
(Thomas) Montague, and four children have been the issue of the union : Justin S., % clia J. ( Mrs. D. C. Robinson), Byron L. and Myron C., the two last being twin brothers.
After his discharge from military duty Captain Leach, like Cincinnatus, returned to the plough, and, after cultivating different farms, finally settled on the old homestead, where he still remains. Ile is a successful dairyman and also produces a large crop of sugar from his orchard of more than two thousand maple trees.
Captain Leach has received the blue lodge degrees of Free Masonry and unites with the Mt. Vernon Lodge of Morrisville. He has also a membership in J. M. Warner Post, No. 4, G. A. R.
He was elected as the Republican candi- date to the state Senate in 1878 and was a member of the committee on military affairs and agriculture. Besides this position he has also held many offices of minor impor- tance in the town where he resides.
LEACH, MOSES J., of Wolcott, son of Ervin and Mary Ann (Scott) Leach, was born in Craftsbury, Dec. 22, 1837. He can trace his lineage back to the old Puritan
MOSES J. LEACH.
stock that made the glory of New England, to within ten years of the time when the little band of pilgrims first landed on Plymouth Rock.
When he was nine years old his father moved to Wolcott where the son received
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whatever educational advantages the com- mon schools afforded and afterwards at- tended the People's Academy of Morrisville. He remained in the employment of his father one year after his majority to repay him the amount spent in his academic train- ing. Soon after young Leach went to Massa- chusetts where he was employed in a saw mill until the early winter of that historic year, 1861. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 13th Regt. Vt. Vols., and participated with that organization in the famous flank movement of General Stannard's brigade which repulsed General Pickett's great charge at Gettysburg. He wore a corporal's stripes and was not absent from his com- pany a single day.
Upon his return to civil life he " beat his sword into a pruning hook " and established himself upon a farm which he cultivated till 1869, then sold the property and re- moved to the centre of the village where he built the first drug store ever erected in the town and has carried on this business since that time.
Mr. Leach was united, March 16, 1864, to Ellen B., daughter of Moody and Milliscent (Moulton) Parker of Wolcott.
Naturally he is a comrade of Gen. George P. Foster Post, G. A. R., and has filled several important offices in the department and national encampment of the order. He has received the three first degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry in Mineral Lodge, No. 93, of Wolcott.
Mr. Leach cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has continued a Republican ever since. He has done thorough and successful work in many town offices, having served as town clerk con- tinuously since March, 1872, and was ap- pointed postmaster in December, 1890. Several times he has been selected as a delegate to county and state conventions, and under no circumstances has he betrayed a trust reposed in him.
LEAVENWORTH, ABEL EDGAR, of Castleton, son of Abel and Anna (Hickok) Leavenworth, was born in Charlotte, Sept. 3, 1828.
Having obtained his preparatory educa- tion at the district schools of Madrid, N. Y., and Charlotte, he continued his studies at Hinesburgh Academy, and afterwards en- tered the University of Vermont, from which he graduated in 1856, on his return from the South.
He commenced his career as a teacher in 1846, taught district schools five winters and became successively the principal of Bolivar (Mo.) Academy, and the academies of Hinesburgh, Brattleboro and New Haven. In 1870 he secured the incorporation and en-
LEAVENWORTH.
dowment of Beeman Academy at New Haven, the position of principal of which, after a most successful administration, he resigned in 1874 to become principal of the State Normal School at Randolph, leaving the former institution with an endowment fund of twelve thousand dollars. Leaving the Normal School at Randolph in 1879, after having greatly increased its facilities and the number of the pupils, he spent two years in institute work and the collection of a large and choice cabinet of minerals, while recruiting his impaired health. In 1881 he purchased the school building and equipment of the Rutland county grammar school, and was appointed principal of the State Normal School at Castleton under its patronage. Since that date Mr. Leaven-
ABEL EDGAR LEAVENWORTH.
worth has devoted his energies to the inter- ests of the school, and has always given special attention to the training of teachers, having signed six hundred and thirty-nine certificates while principal of the various institutions under his charge.
Mr. Leavenworth is a veteran of the civil war, and soon after his enlistment as a pri- vate in Co. K, 9th Regt. Vt. Vols., was pro- moted through the ranks of sergeant and Ist lieutenant to that of captain. He was made assistant inspector general of Wistar's brigade of the United States forces on York Peninsula, of the 2nd division of the 18th army corps, and of the provisional brigade at Bermuda Hundreds. He also served as
1.1 BARRON.
1.ELAND.
assistant adjutant general of the last named command, later of the 2d brigade, 3d divis- ion, 24th army corps, and led the skirmish line into the city of Richmond, April 3, 1865. He was appointed assistant provost marshal of that city and subsequently assist- ant adjutant general of the district of Appo- mattox. He was mustered out of the service at Richmond, June 13, 1865, having received highly commendatory letters from the gen- erals on whose staff he had served.
Mr. Leavenworth was married at Corning, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1853, to Mary Evelina, daughter of Samuel and Sally ( Hubbard) Griggs of Cazenovia, N. Y. To them were born : Anna Maria (deceased), Francis Abel (deceased), Samuel Edgar, Clarence Green- man, William Stowell, Emily Reynolds (de- ceased), and Philip Reynolds. Mrs. Leav- enworth died July 30, 1877, and he con- tracted a second alliance at Linden, Md., August 12, 1889, with Lucy Elizabeth, daughter of Marcus N. and Julia M. (Burt) Wadsworth of Oswego, N. Y.
At the age of twelve he united with the Congregational church, with which he has continued his connection, serving the local congregation as deacon and delegate to county associations and state conventions. Never sectarian in belief or practice, he has ever maintained most friendly relations with all branches of the Christian church.
He was one of the founders of the Delta Psi fraternity in the U. V. M., and in early life was an active Mason, Odd Fellow, Son of Temperance, and Good Templar, having been presiding officer in each, as also in various county and state teachers' organiza- tions, and later in the Grand Army, from which body he was a delegate-at-large for Vermont at the twenty-fifth national encamp- ment at Detroit, in August, 1891. He has also been a member of the American Acad- emy of Political and Social Science from the first year of its organization.
LE BARON, ISAAC NEWTON, of Morris- ville, son of Apollos and Rhoda (Sanger) Le Baron, was born in Calais, April 30, 1839.
He received his early education at the dis- trict school, and afterwards was a pupil of the academies of Barre and Morrisville. Com- mencing his life as a farmer, he met with great success in his chosen vocation. In 1866 he began the manufacture of brick, which he continued for four years, but unfor- tunately the financial result was not propor- tionate to the skill and industry displayed by Mr. Le Baron in the business. The lack of fortune was followed by a large decrease in the value of real estate in his vicinity, and after an ineffectual struggle, he was obliged to abandon the old homestead upon which he had so long and earnestly labored, but
though suffering pecuniary loss, he could now solace himself with the comforting reflection, that his honor and respectable standing in the community still remained.
Casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln Mr. Le Baron has ever since remained a strong adherent of the principles which that vote professed. Repeatedly he has been called upon by his townsmen to fill the differ- ent positions of trust and importance in their gift. As lister, selectman, justice of the peace and superintendent of schools, he has always merited their confidence and in 1888 he rep- resented their interests in the state Legisla- ture where he made a manly and satisfactory record.
Mr. Le Baron is an active and conscien- tions member of the Universalist church to whose interests he has devoted much active effort, for seven years serving as the sup- erintendent of their Sabbath school. In years past he has been the faithful secretary of the old Lamoille County Fair.
He was united in wedlock to Maria 1 .. , daughter of Malachi and Patience Barrows of Morristown. From this marriage there are seven children : Dana F., Eva J., Ada C. (deceased), Daisy M., Washington Irving, and Isaac Newton, Jr.
LELAND, GEORGE FARNHAM, of Springfield, son of Charles A. and Susan (Farnham) Leland, was born in Baltimore, Jan. 25, 1858.
His education was obtained at the public schools of Springfield, and at seventeen years of age he entered the employment of his father, Charles A. Leland, of North Springfield, as clerk, remaining with him two years. After that, his father having sold his business to Hon. F. G. Field, he con- tinued four years as clerk for him. In April, 1882, in company with his father, he formed a business partnership under the title of C. A. Leland & Son, and purchased the stock and good-will of Cobb & Derby of Spring- field, to deal in general merchandise, and they have conducted their business on the principle of a farmers' exchange, which method has given wide and general satisfac- tion in the community where they reside. This has enabled them to greatly increase their stock, and they now do the largest general country trade of any establishment in their vicinity.
Mr. Leland has filled many town offices, and as a Republican candidate was sent to represent Springfield in the Legislature of 1892, served on the grand list committee and was chairman of that on rules.
He is an enthusiastic Mason, and is past master of St. John's Lodge, No. 41, and in Royal Arch Masonry has held the highest office in Skitchewaugh Chapter, No. 25, of
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LEWIS.
LEWIS.
Springfield and Ludlow. He is also a member of Vermont Commandery, No. 4, of Windsor.
November 8, 1881, Mr. Leland married Nellie A., daughter of Edson X. and Mary (Barrett) Pierce. Their union has been blessed with two children : Arthur F., born August 28, 1886, and Mary A., born June 2, 1890.
LEWIS, FRANK W., son of Albert R. and Emily (Holt) Lewis, was born in Mid- dlesex, Oct. 21, 1852. He is a grandson of the late Dr. Joseph Lewis, Jr., whose father, a surgeon in the Revolutionary army, was by the side of General Montgomery when the latter fell in the unsuccessful attempt to storm Quebec.
FRANK W. LEWIS.
The school privileges enjoyed by Mr. Lewis were rather limited and somewhat irregular, but this lack was compensated in a measure by the fact that he was, from childhood, an omnivorous reader and a dili- gent student, and that for some years he had access to extensive libraries. He was usually graded with pupils much older than himself, managing even then to lead his classes, and :at fourteen had mastered such elements of an education as were afforded by district schools of the better grade, besides giving some attention to the study of languages. At fifteen he entered an advanced class in the high school at Canton, Mass., after leav- ing which he continued his studies, mainly
without assistance. Later he pursued the course in "English Literature and Science" prescribed for the candidates for the minis- try of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the four years' course in "Biblical, Ecclesi- astical and Literary" studies required after admission on trial, passing his examinations with credit.
Being dependent for support and educa- tion chiefly on his own efforts, little of Mr. Lewis' boyhood and youth was exempt from hard work, even when attending school. He was variously employed, gaining some in- sight into pursuits of several kinds, mercan- tile and mechanical, as well as those of the farm, and in city as well as country, having spent some years in Boston. He has taught several terms of district school, and for a year had charge of the Weston high school.
In the fall of 1877 he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, entered actively into its work, and was at once singled out as having qualifications for, and an un- doubted call to, the ministry. Yielding to the conviction that duty lay in this direction, and urged forward by what seemed providen- tial indications, he passed the required ex- aminations the following spring, was licensed to preach, and appointed by Bishop Gilbert Haven to supply the pulpit at Topsham. A year later he was admitted to the Vermont conference, ordained deacon in 1881, and elder in 1883. He was appointed to Barton, his present charge, in 1890, where he is serving his fourth year.
Mr. Lewis has never taken any active part in politics, but has served as superintendent of schools and in some other minor offices. He has been statistical secretary of Vermont conference since 1883, and for several years on the conference board of examination.
He wedded, March 26, 1879, Miss Ella F., daughter of David H. and Fidelia (Thresher) Whitney of Granville. Their marriage has been blessed with three children : Bessie Ethel, Lula Miriam, and Annie Louise.
Mr. Lewis is considered one of the most efficient, intellectual, and well educated young divines on the St. Johnsbury district. Whatever recognition his merits have re- ceived, in promotion or otherwise, has been bestowed unsolicited. No man in the con- ference has surrendered the designation of his work more entirely into the hands of the constituted authorities of his church.
LEWIS, L. HALSEY, of Hyde Park, son of David and Julia (Smith) Lewis, was born in the town of Blooming Grove, N. Y., Dec. 2, 1853.
He received his education in the schools of New York City and Michigan, and when his education was completed, learned the printer's trade at Middletown, N. Y.
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LINCOLN.
August 18, 1878, he settled in Hyde Park and purchased the Lamoille News. Three years after he united that paper with the Vermont Citizen. Since that time he has conducted the combination of the two papers under the title of the " News and Citizen" with offices at Morrisville and Hyde Park. The News and Citizen is un swerving in its advocacy of Republican principles, and under Mr. Lewis' manage- ment its influence is strongly felt throughout the state. Notwithstanding the active part he takes in politics, Mr. Lewis has never found time to hold political office, as his newspaper business monopolizes all his time and personal attention.
Notwithstanding his devotion to journal- ism, he has however found time to devote to the two great secret societies of Odd Fellows and Free Masons. Hle is a mem- ber of Mt. Vernon Lodge, F. & A. M., Tucker Chapter R. A. M., Burlington Coun- cil, and Burlington Commandery. He also belongs to Sterling Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F.
Mr. Lewis was married, Nov. 4, 1880, to Alice D., daughter of Russel S. and M. M. Page.
LEWIS, RODNEY M., of Wells, son of Benjamin and Cherlina (Culver) Lewis, was born in Wells, June 30, 1839.
He obtained his education by a course in the common and select schools, supple- mented by more advanced studies in North Hebron Academy, N. Y.
Mr. Lewis has devoted his whole business life to the manufacture of woolen goods, chiefly cashmeres and knit underwear, being until 1875 a partner with his father under the firm title of B. Lewis and Son. At that time he took charge of the business and has managed it individually ever since. He is also the proprietor of the Lewisville cheese factory and of a large farm, the cultivation of which he carefully oversees.
He married, at Castleton, Dec. 31, 1859, Maria A., daughter of John and Agnes Fos- ter, and by her has had two children : Helena (Mrs. George D. Carter), and Genevieve.
Mr. Lewis is an adherent of the Repub- lican party and has been called upon to dis- charge various public trusts appertaining to town and county for periods varying from one to sixteen years. While considering the list of offices whose duties he has discharged, it is difficult to see how he has had oppor- tunity to manage his private affairs. Among other positions may be mentioned that of state representative for four years from 1870 to 1874.
He has also found opportunity in his busy life to give some attention to the ancient craft of Masonry, being a member of Morn- ing Star Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter of
Poultney, in one of which he has held the position of seribe and in the other of junior warden.
LINCOLN, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, of Lyndon, son of Benjamin and Sophia (Makepeace) Lincoln, was born in Ware- ham, Mass., Sept. 4, 1831.
He was educated in the common schools of his native town, and at twelve years of age went to New Bedford, Mass., where he lived for six years and then moved to Wilmington, Del., and there learned the tinner's trade. At twenty years of age he visited California, spending one year in mining, and thence re- moved to Oregon where he engaged in the hardware business, remaining four years,. when he returned to New Bedford, Mass.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LINCOLN.
In 1862 he came to Vermont and engaged in the hardware business at Lyndon. In April, 1866, he commenced the lumber busi- ness in which he has been employed for twenty-five years, operating in Michigan and Vermont jointly.
As a Republican, he represented his town in the General Assembly in 1876, 1878, and 1888, and was elected to the state Senate in 1890 and 1892.
Mr. Lincoln is a member of Crescent Lodge, No. 66, F. & A. M., is now presi- dent of the Lyndon National Bank, also president of the Caledonia Publishing Co., of St. Johnsbury.
He was married at Acushnet, Mass., Nov. 28, 1860, to Annie A., daughter of John A.
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LIVINGSTON.
and Sophronia (Skinner) Lombard. Five children are the issue of this union : Alice S. (Mrs. Homer C. Wilson), Mary S., Benja- min, John E., and Charlotte C.
LIVINGSTON, FRED B., of Morrisville, son of William R. and Anna S. (Allard) Livingston, was born in Schuylerville, N. Y., August 11, 1852.
FRED B. LIVINGSTON.
His educational advantages were derived from the public schools, and a course of study at the Cambridge Washington Acadmy. At the age of seventeen, while acting as station agent at Cambridge, N. Y., he mas- tered the art of telegraphy, and followed this as his occupation for some years in Rut- land and Burlington, but in the latter city failing health compelled him to resign his position. After a short rest to regain his health, he came to Morrisville and settled on a farm, where he has been engaged ever since in extensive agricultural operations, making a specialty of dairy products and maple sugar and syrup. With a sugar orchard of three thousand trees, an un- developed resource of nearly an equal amount, and using all modern improvements in the manufacture, he has built up an ex- tensive trade, sending the product to all parts of the world. In 1880 he received the sweepstakes prize on butter at the New Orleans exposition, accompanied by a medal and a pecuniary testimonial of seventy-five dollars.
LOCKWOOD.
Mr. Livingston was married to Stella L., daughter of Alnon D. and Susan ( Bingham) Thomas of Morrisville, Jan. 1, 1875. Three children have been born to them : Florence B., Gertrude A., and Stella (deceased).
He is a member both of the Odd Fellows and Masonic societies, belonging to the Sterling Lodge, No. 44, I. O. (). F., and holding the office of treasurer of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 8, F. & A. M.
As a Republican he was elected repre- sentative from Morristown to the state Leg- islature in 1890 where he served on the committee on rules, and that of ways and means, and in the extra session of 1891 he was made chairman of the World's Fair committee. He introduced the agricultural college bill, and labored earnestly for its passage. All his service in the Legislature was ably performed and duly appreciated by those whose vote secured him the position of representative.
LOCKWOOD, ALBERT H., of Ludlow, son of William and Sallie (Griswold) Lock- wood, was born in Springfield, Oct. 18, 1840.
į
ALBERT H, LOCKWOOD.
He is the youngest and only surviving member of a family of four children. When less than a year old, by the death of both of his parents he was left an orphan, and was entrusted to the care of Mr. and Mrs. Bucklin Burnham of Springfield, with whom he re- mained till he was seventeen years old, and whose kindly care he repaid by support during their declining years. While under
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