USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 72
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principally the calling of a farmer but pays considerable attention to pension claims and insurance.
MANN, HOSEA, JR., of Wilmington, son of Hosea and Maria (Grousbeck) Mann, was born in Wilmington, July 13, 1858.
He received his early education at the common schools of his native town, and at the Brattleboro Academy and Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After leaving school he commenced the study of the theory and practice of law with the Hon. O. E. Butterfield, was admitted to the Wind- ham county bar in 1882, and at once began the practice of his profession at Wilmington.
HOSEA MANN, JR.
In 1879, as soon as Mr. Mann had reached his majority, he was elected treasurer of the Wilmington Savings bank and town clerk of the town of Wilmington, both of which posi- tions he held until 1885, when he resigned to devote his time to other matters. In 1886 he was elected state's attorney for Windham county, and served in that capacity for a full term of two years. He was elected to the General Assembly for the successive terms, 1886, 1888, and 1890, and served with great credit, giving valuable assistance in putting through many important measures. In 1890 his ability as a legislator was recognized, and he was elected speaker of the House, being one of the youngest men who ever received that honor.
Mr. Mann is interested in many financial and industrial enterprises, and has given a
great deal of his time and money to the de- velopment of his own town and state as a place of summer resort.
He was married, February, 1880, to Eva A., daughter of Rev. Jeremiah and Jane Gifford of Wilmington. Of this union is one son : Ralph Hosea.
MARSH, CHARLES PHELPS, late of Woodstock, son of John and Amstis Marsh, was born in Wethersfield, Jan. 7, 1816. He came of distinguished ancestry, the first progenitor of the family being John Marsh, who organized a colony in Connecticut in 1635.
The subject of this sketch graduated from the University of Vermont in 1839, com- menced the study of law in the office of Chandler & Billings of Woodstock, and was admitted to the bar in 1843 at the May term of the Windsor county court. A year later Mr. Marsh formed a partnership with Peter T. Washburn, Esq., which continued for a quarter of a century. During these years of active professional life he held sev- eral high positions of honor and trust, and for four years was state's attorney for Wind- sor county. He was in 1870 a member of the Constitutional Convention, and in 1886 and 1888 represented Woodstock in the House of Representatives. He was for many years one of the assistant judges of the Windsor county court, and the bar of his own county and lawyers from other counties having cases at Woodstock were content with his judgment and rulings as with those of a regular presiding judge from the supreme bench.
Politically, he was an original Harrison and Clay whig, and naturally became an adherent of the Republican party when it was formed in 1854. In 1842, while a law student, he edited the Whig Advocate, a campaign paper, and with such care and ability that it attained a great circulation and won him deserved praise.
Judge Marsh was always a strong friend of education, an earnest advocate of morality and whatever tended to the promotion of the public good. His talents both in busi- ness and in a judicial way were particularly administrative, and he ever evinced a mas- tery of the situation whatever might be the emergency. His life was such in all his re- lations with his fellowmen that it is not to be wondered at that his death, which occurred Jan. 13, 1893, was so generally mourned in Vermont.
Judge Marsh was married on the 5th of July, 1844, to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Worthington Wright. Four sons were born to them, the oldest of whom alone sur- vives : John W. Marsh, Esq., a lawyer now residing in Chicago. Mrs. Marsh died in
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1854 and Judge Marsh contracted a second alliance, in 1859, with Amelia Brayton of Swanton, who survives him.
He wasa member of the Masonic fratern- ity, and the society of Odd Fellows.
Judge Marsh was a gentleman of a school that, if it was not the old school, yet was ok enough to carry memory back to pleasant days "before the war." A stranger would hardly have selected him as one to lead in an "end of the century" body of legislators, yet in a House of two hundred and forty members, made up largely of farmers, this faultlessly dressed lawyer of courtly and not new-fashioned manner did lead. The secret was an open one. He was a clear-headed, candid gentleman, one fit to represent Woodstock.
MARSH, PLATT T., of Simonsville, son of Col. Sylvanus and Sarah D. ('Thorn) Marsh, was born in the town of Andover, Jan. 5, 1844. His father served with distinction in the war of 1812.
He was educated in the public schools of Andover, and has always devoted himself to the occupation of farming. He has a very pleasant home, around which cluster the cherished memories of kindred running back for more than a hundred years. Here he cultivates his fertile acres, making a specialty of the dairy and in addition possessing a fine orchard of maple trees, from which he annually gathers an abundant crop of sugar and syrup.
He married, April 13, 1869, Abbie H., daughter of Mills and Emily (Lockwood) Redfield. Their children are : Mary A. (Mrs. George P. Stickney), Henry P., and Arthur R.
Mr. Marsh is a strong Republican and for several years has performed the duties of selectman, while he has been called upon to fill many offices of trust and responsibility in the town where he resides. In 1890 he was elected to the Legislature and again in 1892. In this body he served on the committee of the grand list and that on the insane, and has always discharged his duties creditably and conscientiously.
MARSHALL, JESSE, late of West Burke, son of Jesse and Sarah (Hall) Marshall, was born in Ludlow, Dec. 12, 1817.
Receiving his education in the public schools of Guildhall and Burke, to which latter town his parents removed in 1833, he first purchased a small farm which he cleared but sold in 1854. He then bought a much larger property, on which he lived during the rest of his days, bringing it up to a fine state of cultivation, and devoting especial attention to the breeding of Devon cattle and Morgan horses. Mr. Marshall was
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eminently successful in all his agricultural enterprises, and was one of the substantial men of the town whose good judgment and sound sense was esteemed by all who came in contact with him. He became a large stockholder in the Fairbanks Scale Co., in various banks, and was largely interested in real estate in the town of Burke and its vicinity.
He was united in marriage July 20, 1843, to Calista A., daughter of John and Nancy (Bemis) Martin, of Burke, whom he had the misfortune to lose by death, June 18, 1862. By her he had : Carrie (deceased),
JESSE MARSHALL.
Benoni Hall, and Fayette (deceased). He was again married, July 30, 1862, to Isabel M., daughter of Joshua and Sarah M. (Allen) Thomas, of Burke.
Mr. Marshall for very many years had served as selectman, overseer, lister and auditor of the town in which he resided, and enjoyed to such an extent the confidence of the community, that, in 1870 and 1872, he was called by a Republican constituency to represent Burke in the Legislature where he rendered important service upon the grand list and other committees. He was intrust- ed with the duties of administrator of many estates. A strong Universalist in his relig- ious belief, he attended and supported the Universalist church. He was a very charit- able and public-spirited man, and his death, which occurred May 21, 1892, was sincerely mourned as an irreparable loss by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
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MARSHALL, OSCAR AZOR, late of Brat- tleboro, son of Azor and Ann ( Estabrook) Marshall, was born at Oak Grove, Wis., August 9, 1858.
He was educated in the public schools of Brattleboro, and entered the employment of the Vermont National Bank, May 31, 1875. He became assistant cashier of the People's National Bank in 1883, and cashier in 1886, which position he held to the time of his death. He was a director of the People's National Bank, and also a trustee of the Brooks Library. Mr. Marshall was one of the incorporators of the Brattleboro Savings Bank, the Vermont Savings Bank of Brattle- boro, and the Wilmington Savings Bank.
OSCAR AZOR MARSHALL.
Mr. Marshall represented Brattleboro in the Legislature of Vermont in the sessions of 1890 and 1891. He was a useful member, and ably served his town and state. He introduced the first bill providing for a secret ballot law in the state, basing it upon the Australian system, and it was largely through his painstaking efforts that this be- came a law. He held numerous minor town offices, in all of which he proved himself a conscientious, scrupulous, honorable gentle- man.
He was one of the rising young men of the state, enjoying the full confidence and esteem of all who knew him, and his death was universally regretted, for no man in the community was more beloved. A good citizen, a faithful friend, and a public bene-
factor, he was most sincerely mourned when he passed from this mortal life.
Mr. Marshall was married Sept. 25, 1883, to Katherine R., daughter of Francis W. and Matilda C. (Smith) Brooks. Of this union are two children : Elizabeth G., and Brooks.
MARTIN, FRANK J., of Barre, son of Kimball I'. and Delana (Wiley) Martin, was born in Washington, Oct. 22, 1858. The Martin family came to Vermont from Con- necticut. Frank Martin's progenitors were early settlers of Williamstown and their de- scendants form no inconsiderable share of the population of that town.
The early life of Mr. Martin was on a farm, and more than ordinary tasks devolved upon him in consequence of the sickness and early death of his father. In spite of his increased duties he managed to secure such a share of knowledge as was afforded by the schools of Barre and Williamstown and some attend- ance at the Barre Academy.
For four years after he had entered active life he divided his attention between employ- ment as a clerk in the winter season and labor on the farm in summer. In 1880 he had acquired sufficient funds to take a four years' course of study at Worcester Academy, Mass. This he accomplished in three years and graduated in June, 1883. He then taught school in Connecticut and in Will- iamstown, and after employment as a clerk in Massachusetts and Vermont, he com- menced, in 1887, the study of law in the office of Frank Plumley, of Northfield, re- maining there till May, 1888, when he went to Montpelier, and while deputy-clerk of the Washington county court studied with M. E. Smilie, till April, 1890, when he entered the office of H. A. Huse, of Montpelier. He was admitted to the bar at the general term, 1890.
In December, 1890, with F. P. Carleton, he began practice at Barre in the firm of Martin & Carleton, which continued till Mr. Carleton's removal to Montpelier in 1892. December, 1892, he and L. P. Slack formed the firm of Martin & Slack.
Mr. Martin, Dec. 28, 1892, espoused Ida M., daughter of Samuel G. and Lucy M. (Wheeler) Norris.
He is a Republican and is one of the town grand jurors and one of the listers of Barre. In 1890 and 1892 he was second assistant state librarian. He has taken the blue lodge degrees and affiliates with Granite Lodge, No. 38, F. & A. M.
MARTIN, JOSEPH GRAY, of Manches- ter Center, son of James and Lucy (Gray) Martin, was born in Landgrove, Oct. 8, 1850.
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His education was obtained in the schools of Landgrove and Londonderry and for a time he enjoyed private instruction in the latter place and Peru. After a visit to the South he returned to his native place on account of ill health, aud in 1869 he studied law with his brother J. 1 .. Martin in South Londonderry. Here he remained till 1874 when he was for a short time with Jon- athan G. Eddy of Jamaica. He was ad- mitted to the bar at the April term of the Windham county court in the same year, and soon after opened an office in London- derry where he remained till 1881 when he removed to Manchester Center. Mr. Martin has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court and both the district and circuit courts of the United States. By meritorious exertion he has arrived at a large general
JOSEPH GRAY MARTIN.
practice, has been retained as attorney for two national banks and employed as counsel for either the state or the respondent in several important criminal cases. In 1886 he formed a copartnership with Frank T. Spring, which continued till the death of the latter, and in 1888 he formed a partnership with Frank Archibald, state's attorney, which arrangement still continues. In 1894 he organized the Vermont Spring Co., of which he is president. This corporation owns a large tract on Putney mountain containing chalybeate and sulphur mineral springs.
January 14, 1873, Mr. Martin was united to Mary E., daughter of Joshua and Lydia A. (Walker) Barnard of Winhall, who died
MARTIN.
March 9, 1886, leaving four children : Lucy E., Willard B., Lucius P., and James G. (deceased ).
Mr. Martin belongs to the dominant party of the state but has held only a few minor offices. He is an Episcopalian in religious belief and has taken the Masonic degrees conferred in Anchor Lodge, No. 99, F. & A. M. of South Londonderry.
MARTIN, JAMES LOREN, of Brattleboro, son of James and Lucy (Gray) Martin, was born at Landgrove, Sept. 18, 1846.
Ilis early education was in the district schools, and at Londonderry and Marlow (N. H.) academies. In $867 he became a student of Judge 1I. H. Wheeler, and pursued his legal studies as time and opportunity permitted. The following year he went to the law school in Albany, N. Y., from which he graduated, and was admitted to the Ben- nington county bar at the June term in 1869. He practiced law in Londonderry from that time until January, 1882, when he bought out the law business of the late Charles N. Davenport, and moved to Brattleboro. In 1888 he formed a copartnership with Hon. E. L. Waterman, and later George B. Hitt became a member of the firm. He com- mands a leading position as a lawyer.
In 1886 he was elected president of the Brattleboro Tool Co., and two years later was appointed tax commissioner by Governor Dillingham, which office he still holds. In the fall of 1891 he formed a partnership with L. E. Holden, for the manufacture of lumber, and the firm is now conducting a large busi- ness. He is also president of the Martin & Fitts Lime and Cement Manufacturing Co.
Mr. Martin's political career began with his election to the Legislature as representa- tive of Londonderry in 1874, in which body he served on the committee on education, having charge of the bill to abolish the board of education and for the appointment of a state superintendent. Two years later he was again returned to the Legislature, serv- ing as chairman of the committee on elec- tions, and a member of the judiciary com- mittee. In 1878 he was for a third time elected to the same position, and was chosen speaker of the House on the second ballot. He was elected to the House in 1880 and 1882, and at both of the last-named sessions was again chosen speaker. His thorough knowledge of parliamentary law, and singular aptitude for the prompt dispatch of business rightfully won for him his reputation as a model speaker. In 1892 he represented Brattleboro, and declined being a candidate for speaker. He was chairman of the judic- iary committee, second on the ways and means committee. At this session he won the reputation of being a painstaking, hard-
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working, and a very useful member of the House of Representatives.
He was first married, Nov. 19, 1869, to Delia E., daughter of Lewis and Mary (Aiken) Howard. She died Dec. 14, 1881. Three children were born to them, none of whom survive.
On the 10th of January, 1883, he married Jessie Lilley, daughter of Capt. Edward and Susan (Lilley) Dewey, of Montpelier. They have three children : Margaret Susan, Helen Ruth, and Katharine Gray.
MARTIN, MILTON, of Williamstown, son of James and Martha (Coburn) Martin, was born in Williamstown, Feb. 19, 1809.
He was one of a family of nine children, and a brother of the late ex-Lieut .- Gov. Burnam Martin, and lived the frugal life of a farmer's boy until he was eighteen years old. During this time he obtained what educa- tional advantages he could from the common schools of Williamstown. Abandoning his original occupation he resolved to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and was apprenticed for three years to Enoch Howe, with whom he served his time.
Shortly after he went to Wolcott and there married, in 1832, Mary Martyn, by whom he had seven children, three of whom are living : Albert R., Lenora (Mrs. Austen H. Young of Minneapolis), and Fred R. His wife died in 1868, and he espoused Mrs. Nancy (Whit- ney) Covil, who passed away March 12, 1875. He has contracted a third alliance with Mrs. Nancy (Martin) Chamberlain. Mr. Martin remained in Wolcott for five years, pursuing his trade, and then returned to Williamstown, where he continued at the forge, until his eldest son had gained skill and experience sufficient to succeed him, when he turned his attention to farming and also the manage- ment of the village inn. He bears his years lightly and "the grasshopper is not a burden" in his ripe old age, and though somewhat deaf all his physical and mental faculties are unimpaired and active.
Mr. Martin may properly be designated a Jacksonian Democrat, for he cast his first presidential vote for "Old Hickory" and he has adhered to that party ever since. He has been honored with official trusts both in Wolcott and Williamstown ; was postmaster for five years and justice for fifteen in the latter town, which place he has twice repre- resented in the Legislature. He has also been a director in the Montpelier & White River R. R.
MARTIN, WILLIAM, late of Plainfield, son of William and Sabrina (Axtell) Martin, was born in the town of Marshfield. His grandfather, Jesse Martin, was a veteran of Bunker Hill, and his father, Hon. William
Martin, was a man of mark, who represented Marshfield for thirteen years in the Legisla- ture, was colonel of a cavalry regiment, and associate judge of the county court.
William Martin passed through the usual experience in his boyhood days, receiving his education in the common schools. The rough and constant labor of the farm devel- oped his energy and endowed him with un- common physical strength and endurance He was always a prodigious worker, and for a time was a manufacturer and merchant, but for many years devoted his chief atten- tion to the occupation of his youth. He is a large owner of real estate, possessing at the time of his death several extensive farms in this and neighboring towns, and he was also the proprietor of a large saw mill, which is carried on by his sons.
Mr. Martin was an enthusiastic adherent of the dominant party in the state, and held many public offices ; representing Marshfield in the Legislature.
He was strongly in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the civil war, and one of his sons, William E. Martin, served as 2d lieu- tenant in Co. C, 13th Regt. Vt. Vols., under the command of Col. F. V. Randall, and was promoted to Ist lieutenant before that regiment was mustered out. He then en- listed in the 17th Regt., and was killed at the battle of Petersburg Mine, July 30, 1864. In honor of his memory the local organiza- tion of the Grand Army of the Republic in Plainfield received its title of the William E. Martin Post.
The subject of this sketch was wedded Jan. 11, IS38, to Vienna L. Perrin, by whom he has had eight children : Julia S. (Mrs. Walter Page, deceased), William E. (killed at Petersburg, Va., as stated above), Curtis A., Cassius L., Charles P., Edwin B., Harry H., and Benjamin F.
MARTIN, WILLARD S., of Plainfield, son of Joshua B. and Betsy (Sheppard) Martin, was born in Marshfield, Jan. 26, 1827.
He enjoyed only the privileges of the common school, but by active observation and assiduous reading he is practically a well educated man.
In 1860 he moved to Plainfield and pur- chased a fine property of nearly six hundred acres, and he has made his home here ever since. He has been an extensive dealer in and breeder of fine stock. A public-spirited man of kindly and sympathetic nature, he has met with some serious losses in generous attempts to assist his neighbors and friends.
Mr. Martin was united in marriage, Feb. 21, 1860, to Fannie, daughter of Orlando and Cecilia (Nash) Lewis of East Mont- pelier, who died May 7, 1889. Five chil-
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dren are the issue of their marriage : K. Vice, Willard S., Jr., Orlando L., Arthur R. (deceased ), and Edgar 1 ..
Mr. Martin is a Repubhean in his political belief and has been entrusted with many responsible positions in his town. He has held the office of justice of the peace for thirty years and was chosen to the Legisla- ture in 1864 and 1865. He received the election of associate judge in 1874, and con-
WILLARD S. MARTIN.
tinued on the bench for four years. He was elected senator from Washington county in 1882. He was six years director of the Barre National Bank, and two years president of the Washington County Agricultural Society.
Judge Martin is a Universalist, has always taken a lively interest in educational matters, and for a long time has been a trustee of Goddard Seminary of Barre.
MASON, CHARLES W., of Vergennes, son of Lawrence S. and Sarah (French) Mason, was born in Potsdam, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1837.
He was educated at the common schools and academy at New Haven, receiving a thorough preparation for after life. He has always devoted his attention to farming, and by industry and skill from small beginnings has increased the value of his property to such an extent that he has now one of the best farms of Addison county, consisting of over four hundred acres of productive land. He is a breeder and dealer in thoroughbred Merino sheep, and has raised many of very
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high value. These have been exported to nearly all states of the Union, and he has also shipped many to Africa, being one of the first to establish this enterprise. He also is a breeder of high blood horses.
Mr. Mason is a Republican, and has been honored with various town offices, and is popular and prominent in Addison county.
He enlisted in Co. G, 14th Vi. Vols., when they organized Sept. 9, 1862, and was mustered in in October of the same year, holding the position of 20 lieutenant. Re- turning to Vermont in July, 1863, he raised Co. E for the 3d Vt. Militia Regt., and was commissioned captain by ex-Gov. J. Gregory Smith. He was present and took part in the bloody struggle at Gettysburg, and has a war record of which one may well be prond.
He belongs to the Masonic brotherhood, being a member of Libanus Lodge, No. 47, of Bristol, and the Chapter and Royal Arch Lodge of Vergennes. He has been a mem- ber of the Congregationalist church for a quarter of a century, and is one of the ex- amining and building committee of the church recently erected.
Mr. Mason is a well-informed gentleman on state and foreign matters, and an intelli- gent and pleasant conversationalist.
MATTHEWS, CHARLES W., of Granby, son of Jonathan and Nancy F. (Bell) Mat- thews, was born in Granby, August 31, 1857.
Jonathan Matthews came to Granby in 1838, and has ever since been a resident of that place, purchasing the farm on which he now lives. The son received an excellent education in the district school, and com- pleted his instruction at the St. Johnsbury Academy. He has always remained on the paternal estate, and is an enterprising and substantial farmer, an enviable lot in these days of bustling and by no means remuner- ative toil in other branches of money getting.
He belongs to the ruling party of Vermont, and has received the offices of lister and selectman, and enjoyed the honors of town clerk and treasurer for nearly fifteen years. He has served as county commissioner, and also was a member of the House of Repre- sentatives in 1880 and 1892. Though a young man, Mr. Matthews has been promi- nent in town and county affairs, and gives promise of a career of much usefulness.
He is a prominent member of the I. O.O.F.
Mr. Matthews was married June 25, 1879, to Hettie, daughter of Loomis and Adeline (Farr) Wells. They have one child : Lella.
MATTISON, WILLIAM P., of South Shaftsbury, son of Reuben and Eunice (Slye) Mattison, was born in Shaftsbury, Dec. 22, 1828. His great-grandfather, Thomas Matti- son, came from Rhode Island in the latter
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half of the 18th century, was chosen the first town clerk of Shaftsbury, and the earliest deed on record in that town bears his signa- ture.
The opportunities for early education en- joyed by William P. were those afforded by the schools of his native town, supplemented by a short course at North Bennington Acad- emy. For several succeeding winters he was employed in teaching in Bennington and Hillsdale, N. Y. On his return to Shaftsbury ยท he gave his attention to the manufacture of squares for several years, still continuing at intervals his former profession and devoting all his spare time to the study of law, which he hoped to adopt as a profession.
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