Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont, Part 77

Author: Ullery, Jacob G., comp; Davenport, Charles H; Huse, Hiram Augustus, 1843-1902; Fuller, Levi Knight, 1841-1896
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Brattleboro, Vt. : Transcript Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 842

USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 77

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CLARENCE PHILANDER OWEN.

He was united in marriage Feb. 4, 1869, to Anna, daughter of William and Fanny (Randall) Chase, of Wheelock. Two daugh- ters have been born to them : Maud L. (Mrs. William S. Mason of Glover), and Kate (Mrs. Willard C. Leonard of New London, N. H.)

Mr. Owen has been earnestly interested in public affairs, is a member of the Repub- lican party, has served on the county com- mittee, held most of the town offices and is county auditor, now serving his third year. In 1886 and 1888 he was elected associate judge for Orleans county, serving the full term of four years, and in 1892 represented the town of Glover in the General Assembly, serving on the ways and means committee.

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OWEN.

Judge Owen is a Congregationalist, and a Free and Accepted Mason, affiliating with Orleans Lodge, No. 55, of Barton, and Cleveland Chapter, No. 20, of Newport.

OWEN, JOSEPH, of Barton, son of Jos- eph and Esther (Colwell) Owen, was born in Glover, Feb. 18, 1818. He is the grand- son of Hon. Daniel Owen, Governor of Rhode Island, to whom part of the towns of Barton and Westfield was granted in 1781. The young- est son of the Governor, and father of the sub- ject of this sketch, in company with other settlers came to Barton in 1 798, thence floated down the river to Newport, made an excur- sion through the woods to Westfield, where they built camps on their own lots, subse- quently settling in Barton.

JOSEPH OWEN.

The present Joseph Owen obtained his education in the schools of Barton and Glover and afterwards at Browington Academy. He commenced the active business of life as an instructor in Westfield, Barton, and Sutton, and after employment as a clerk in the latter place removed to Barton and settled upon a farm, the greater part of which is now occu- pied by the village. He was a farmer, and tilled the soil for the love of it, and conse- quently made it a success ; and he stoutly affirms that a young man now, with pluck and courage for capital stock, can acquire wealth on a Vermont farm. Mr. Owen has been one of the most prominent busines men in Orleans county and was [much respected

by all for his personal integrity and financial ability.

He has taken small share in political or town matters, nevertheless he has served as collector and selectman in Barton. He has always voted with the Republicans since the dissolution of the whig party.

For fifty-seven years he has been a mem- ber of the Methodist church of which he has been one of the stewards since his early manhood. He has been a faithful instructor in the Sunday School besides being a liberal and generous benefactor to the church.

He married, Dec. 14, 1848, Diana, daugh- ter of Daniel and Sally (Gilman) Shaw, of Sutton, who died August 23, 1884, leaving two children : Ella F. ( Mrs. Waldo Mossman, of Barton), and George W. July 22, 1886, he was married to Mrs. Abbie B. Bickford, of Montpelier, daughter of Reuben and Eliza- beth (Sawyer) Giffin. He has now retired from business, enjoying the fruits of his labors.

OWEN, OSCAR DANIEL, of Barton, son of Daniel and Sarah (Barnard) Owen, was born in Barton, Oct. 1, 1842. His

OSCAR DANIEL OWEN.

ancestors came to this country from Wales in 1685 for the better enjoyment of civil and religious liberty and to seek a wider field for agricultural labor than they could find in their native land. They settled in Rhode Island and from thence the grandfather of Mr. Owen removed to the Hampshire Grants

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and was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Barton.

Mr. Owen passed through the enstomary course of instruction at the common schools and academy and at the age of nineteen made his first step in an active business career by being employed as clerk in the local store. He then took his departure for Rockford, III., and worked in the same capacity for two years, after which he trans- ferred his abode to Boston, Mass., where he still continued to hold a similar position. Having by this time a wide and varied knowledge of business affairs, in 1869 he returned to Barton, where he commenced as a merchant on his own account. By his energy, thrift and industry, he has been more than successful, has built up a most flourishing trade and deservedly acquired a handsome fortune by honorable and straight- forward dealing. In 1875 he had the mis- fortune to lose his entire stock and store by fire, but, undismayed by this stroke of ill- luck, with characteristic pluck, he imme- diately commenced the erection of his present business block at that time the finest in the vicinity. He is largely engaged in buying and shipping Vermont butter and dairy produce in general.

Mr. Owen married, Nov. 5, 1874, Mary A., daughter of Judge Fordyce S. and Martha H. French of Barton. One daugh- ter, Julia, is issue of their union.

ORMSBEE, EBENEZER JOLLS, of Bran- don, son of John Mason and Polly (Willson) Ormsbee, was born in Shoreham, June 8, 1834.

He received the education afforded by the common schools of the state and the acade- mies at Brandon and South Woodstock, dividing his time between the farm and the school until his majority, when he taught school winters while acquiring the higher branches taught in the academy. He began the study of the law in the office of Briggs & Nicholson, at Brandon, in 1857, and was admitted to the bar of Rutland county at the March term of court in 1861.

Instead of entering upon the practice of his profession, however, he enlisted in the " Allen Grays," a military company of Bran- don, in April, 1861 ; this company became Co. G of the Ist Regt. Vt. Vols., and having been elected 2d lieutenant thereof, he was commissioned as such, April 25, 1861, and was with his company in the service of the United States during the term of its enlist- ment, being mustered out of the United States service, August 15, 1861. Returning home, he again enlisted in Co. G of the 12th Regt. Vt. Vols., was elected captain of the

ORMSBEE.

company, and commissioned Sept. 22, 1862. This regiment was attached to the 2d Vt. Brigade, commanded by General Stannard, which became the 3d Brigade in the 3d Division of the ist Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and taking a most noteworthy part in the Gettysburg campaign. Captain Orms- bee was with his company during its term of service, sharing the dangers and hardships of his men, and was again mustered out with them, July 14, 1863.

Taking up the duties of civil life, he com- menced the practice of law at Brandon, as a partner of Anson A. Nicholson, in 1864, af- terwards entering into a like business con- nection with Hon. Ebenezer N. Briggs, with whose son he is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Brandon. Was appointed assistant United States internal revenue as- sessor, in 1868, serving as such until 1872. Was elected state's attorney for Rutland county, 1870 10 1874 ; town representative from Brandon in the General Assembly of the state in 1872, and senator from Rutland county in that body in 1878. Appointed and served as a trustee of the Vermont re- form school, from 1880 till 1884, when he was made Lieutenant-Governor of the state, and was chosen Governor of the state in 1886.

Among many other positions of trust to which he has been called, and in which he has served with eminent ability, is that of chairman of a commission to treat with the Pi Ute Indians, at Pyramid Lake, Nevada, concerning the relinquishment of a portion of their reservation to the United States, to which he was appointed by the President in 1891 ; the same year he was appointed by the President as the United States land com- missioner at Samoa, the duties of which of- fice he discharged until May 16, 1893, when he returned to this country and resumed the practice of his profession.

The subject of this sketch has been twice married : In 1862, to Jennie L. Briggs, daughter of Hon. E. N. Briggs, of Brandon ; and in 1867, to Frances (Wadhams) Daven- port, daughter of William L. Wadhams, of Westport, N. Y.

Always an ardent Republican in politics, he has been an active member of the state Republican committee, and a firm supporter of the principles and policy of that party.

He is a member of St. Paul's Lodge F. and A. M., of Brandon, and has long been a comrade of C. J. Ormsbee Post, No. 18, G. A. R., an order at whose annual memorial services he has been a speaker and partici- pant for many years.

His religious preference is that of Episco- palian.

He is now (1894) engaged in law practice at Brandon.

Elenegen J Demshe.

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PAINI .

PACI.

PAINE, MILTON KENDALL, of Windsor, son of Isaac and Martha Locke ( Riggs) Paine, was born in Boston, Mass., July 15, 1834. He is of English descent. When Washington assumed the command of the Revolutionary forces at Cambridge, Milton's great great grandfather, William Paine, then in the eighty-third year of his age, entered the camp accompanied by his son and two grandsons, and when the general questioned him with regard to his own presence there, he replied that he was there to encourage his son and grandsons and see that they did their duty to their country.

Milton K. Paine received his educational training at the common and high schools of Chelsea, but before attaining his fifteenth year he entered the drug store of A. & H. Wardner of Windsor as clerk, and seven years afterward started in that business in the

MILTON KENDALL PAINE.

same town, with a capital of $30, running in debt for his entire stock. So successful was he, owing to his prudence and energy, that in two years he was free from all pecuniary obligations and had built up a trade that was ever widely increasing. A man of original mind and natural inventive faculty, devel- oped by careful observation, even in his youthful days, he began the preparation of perfumes by processes originated by himself, and later compounded the "Wild Cherry Tonic," which had an immense sale, not only in the state, but in various parts of the Union. His crowning effort was the inven-

tion of Paine's Celery Compound, of which the local sales were immediately enormous, and the medicine is now known and used throughout much of the civilized world. Mr. Paine has also originated many appliances for the economical manufacture of medi- cines, and has received several U. S. patents for articles of practical value. His health failing after nearly forty years of arduons application to his profession, he disposed of his stock in trade, and on March 19, 1887, sold his interest in the Celery Compound to Wells & Richardson Co. of Burlington. He retired from active business April 20, 1888, one of the oldest and most widely known druggists of the state.

Mr. Paine was married in May, 1857, to Helen A., daughter of Dr. Horace Austin of Athol, Mass., whom he had the misfortune to lose by death in September, 1864. She left one daughter. Jennie Louise Paine, now Mrs. W. R. Sheldon of Charlestown, N. H .. On May 6, 1872, he wedded Mrs. Mary (Lemmex) Smith, daughter of William H. and Elvira (Warner) Lemmex of Windsor.

Colonel Paine is an active Republican, attesting his faith by his works, and has held several official positions. He was a member of the staff of Governor Farnham in 1881, receiving the rank of colonel, and in 1888 was elected the Windsor county member of the state Republican committee, which posi- tion he still holds. He is a justice of the peace, and was for two years president of the Vermont Pharmaceutical Association. He was an incorporator, and has been for- four years past the treasurer of the Vermont. society, Sons of the American Revolution. He is treasurer of the Old South Congrega- tional Church at Windsor, and superinten- dent of the Sabbath school.

In the Masonic order Colonel Paine has- ever taken a deep and abiding interest, and! in this has attained an eminent position, having reached the 33d degree. He is one- of the senior members of the Supreme. Council in the state of Vermont.

PAGE, CARROLL SMALLEY, of Hyde- Park, son of Russell S. and Martha Malvina (Smalley) Page, was born in Westfield, Jan .. 10, 1843-

He was educated at the People's Academy at Morrisville, the Lamoille county gram- mar school of Johnson, and the Lamoille Central Academy of Hyde Park.

Governor Page is identified with many of the important business enterprises of his county and state, being president of the Lamoille County Savings Bank and Trust Co., of the Lamoille County National Bank, of the Hyde Park Hotel Co., and of the Fife Lumber Co. He is the treasurer of the. Hyde Park Lumber Co., of the Morse Man-

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ntac turing Co,, of the Buck Lumber Co., and a director of the St. J. & L. C. R. R.

Although always a very busy man he has found tine to give good service to his party and to his state. He represented Hyde Park in the House from 1800 to 1872, was senator from Lamoille county from 1874 to 1876, and was county treasurer and reg ister of the probate court for the district of Lamoille for about ten years. In 1880 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention at Chicago, that nominated James A. Garfield for President. From 1872 to 1890 he was a member of the Republican state committee, serving from 1878 to 1884 as its secretary, and from 1884 to 1890 as its chairman, his chairmanship covering the notable campaign of 1888.

As a financier he became well known to the people of the state while filling the office of inspector of finance (examiner of savings banks) from 1884 to 1888. In 1890 he was elected Governor-the highest office in the gift of the people. To this position, which he filled till 1892, he brought the same ad- ministrative ability that has characterized the conduct of his private affairs.

But first and always a business man, it is not in political or official life that Governor Page's reputation has become most widely extended, but rather as a dealer in Green Calf Skins, in which line of business his trade is confessedly the largest in America, if not in the world, extending not only to the Pacific coast, but through all the British provinces in America, and to England, France and Germany.

Governor Page is a Mason, an Odd Fel- low, and a member of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

April 11, 1865, Mr. Page was united in marriage to Ellen F., youngest daughter of T. H. and Desdemona Patch, of Johnson. They have three children : Theophilus Hull, Russell Smith, and Alice.

PARK, TRENOR WILLIAM, late of Ben- nington, son of Luther and Cynthia (Pratt) Park, was born in Woodford, Dec. 8, 1823.

His parents removed to Bennington when he was two or three years of age, and as they were poor he had few educational advan- tages, but in his earliest youth he contrived to contribute something to the famly sup- port. Resolving to adopt the legal profes- sion he began to study law in an office in the town when only sixteen, and a few years later he was admitted to the bar. In 1852 a political appointment changed the whole current of his life, and interrupted a suc- cessful professional career in Bennington. His father-in-law, ex-Gov. Hiland Hall, had been selected by President Fillmore as chairman of the U. S. land commission of California, to settle disputed land titles in

the territory lately acquired from Mexico. This appointment induced Mr. Park to re- move to San Francisco, where his skill and snecess in the management of his first case attracted the attention of the newly estab- lished firm of Halleck, Peachy & Billings, and he was invited to become a member of that concern. This offer he accepted, and the firm soon became, and continued for years, the most eminent one in California. Mr. Park became prominently identified with the reform movement in San Francisco in 1855, and assisted James King to estab- lish the San Francisco Bulletin, and after the assassination of that editor in the streets of the city, he became the attorney of the historic vigilance committee, which de- livered San Francisco from the reign of terror established by lawlessness and ruffian- ism. The commercial panic of 1858 swept away a considerable portion of the large fortune which Mr. Park had acquired, but he soon recovered his lost ground. About this time he became interested in politics, and was a candidate for U. S. senator, lacking but few votes of an election. Returning to Vermont in 1863, he established the First National Bank at North Bennington, and soon after was elected to the Legislature, exercising great influence in that body. He now gave his attention to a number of rail- road enterprises in his native state, assisted in the reorganization of the Vermont Central, and was one of the original incorporators of that company under its new title. He pur- chased the Western Vermont R. R., and commenced the construction of the Lebanon Springs R. R., hoping to make Bennington an important railroad cen- ter, but not meeting with adequate co- operation he sank a large fortune in this latter patriotic enterprise. In 1872 Mr. Park was associated with General Baxter in the ownership and conduct of the famous Emma Mine, and he was for many years a director of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. In 1874 he was elected president of the Panama R. R., holding the office till the time of his death. Under his skillful man- agement, and with the able assistance of Gen. J. G. Mccullough the stock rose from par to three hundred cents on the dollar, at which price it was sold to the De Lesseps Canal Co. Mr. Park was pre-eminently a public-spirited man. When a trustee of the U. V. M. he donated to that institution the art gallery which bears his name. He was a liberal contributor to the New York Tribune "Fresh Air Fund," established the Benning- ton Free Library, and with ex-Governor Prescott of New Hampshire, ex-Governor Rice of Massachusetts, and E. J. Phelps of Burlington, constituted a committee on the design of the Bennington battle monument. He also contemplated a magnificent charity

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PARKER.

to be entitled the "Park Home," to be established in Bennington, a refuge for desti inte women and children. Unfortunately his death occurred before his plans could be completed, and a large property which had been secured near the town as the site of the new charity was donated to the state by his heirs and is now occupied by the Soldiers' Home.

Mr. Park was married Dec. 15, 1846, 10 Laura, daughter or ex-Gov. Hiland Hall, of Bennington. He had the misfortune to lose this estimable lady in June, 1875. He es- poused as his second wife, Ella, daughter of A. C. Nichols, Esq., of San Francisco. His own death occurred in 1882, while en route to Panama. One son, Trenor L., and two daughters ( Mrs. J. G. McCullongh and Mrs. Fred B. Jennings ), survive him.

The energy, perseverane, and public spirit of Mr. Park carried him from the humblest circumstances in youth to a manhood of noble attainments, and his enterprises pro- cured for him the possession of great wealth, a large portion of which he conscientiously employed, not in selfish self-indulgence, but for the benefit and assistance of his fellow- men.

PARKER, CHARLES S., of Elmore, son of Henry C. and Mary ( Batchelder) Parker, was born in Barre, Nov. 2, 1820.

He availed himself of the educational fa- cilities afforded by the common school and academy of the time, and in early life was both teacher and farm laborer, but soon de- voted all his attention to the tillage of the soil and has followed this occupation through the course of a long and honorable life. He has now practically retired from active pur- suits, but can look back with satisfaction upon his career, contented with the success he has achieved.

Mr. Parker prides himself upon the fact that he was the first to introduce the breed- ing of Jersey cattle into Lamoille county and he possesses at the present time a fine herd of thirty thoroughbreds. For two years he has been the president of the Lamoille County Agricultural Society, and is a recog- nized authority in all matters pertaining to the cultivation of the farm or the breeding of stock.

From the formation of the party Mr. Par- ker was a Republican, but since 1884 he has identified himself with the Prohibitionists. He has served as sheriff of Lamoille county and was elected associate judge in 1867-'68, county commissioner in 1867, and repre- sented the town of Elmore in 1863-'64. He has also been county bailiff and justice of the peace.

He has been a member of the M. E. Church for more than fifty years, and is the

oldest living steward of that church in town. He has also been admitted to the Masonic fraternity and is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge in Morrisville.

CHARLES S. PARKER.

Judge Parker was married, Oct. 17, 1842, to Eliza A., daughter of Seth and Susan (Sherman) Town. To them have been born five children : Carlos S., Natt S., Henry C., Candace A. (wife of Rev. D. B. Mckenzie of Troy, N. Y.), and Ellen F. (widow of the late J. H. Batchelder of Barre).

PARKER, HARRY ELWOOD, of Bradford, son of Charles and Amelia ( Bennett) Parker, was born in the town of Lyman, N. H., June II, 1853.

His education was received in the local schools of Lyman and at Lisbon Academy, in which town his family took up their resi- dence in 1863. Possessing fine musical ability, he devoted himself to the study of this art for several years, and at the age of sixteen was the leader of a military band in Marion, Va. In 1869 he commenced to learn the trade of a printer, relinquished it for a time, but resumed this occupation in 1872. Five years later he commenced the publication of the Lisbon Globe, a small five- column sheet, and in 1881 he removed to Bradford, consolidated the rival papers of the place and established the United Opinion. Under his able management the circulation of the paper has largely increased. Mr. Parker is also half owner of the Record,

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PARKER.

Plymouth, N. H., and the Northern Herald of Lisbon, N. H., in addition to which he does a large job printing business, the ar- rangements for which, including a spacious and convenient building, are said to be supe- rior to any country establishment of its kind in New England. He is president of the Opinion Mfg. Co. (newspaper folders), and president of the Bradford Loan and Building Association.

HARRY ELWOOD PARKER.

In 1878 he was chosen engrossing clerk of the New Hampshire Legislature, a lucra- tive and responsible position, to which he was again elected in 1879 and 1880. His busy life has not given him much leisure for attention to public affairs, but he was ap- pointed postmaster for the town of Bradford in 1890. He is the president of the Ver- mont Editors and Publishers Association for 1893, and he has been selected by Governor Fuller to serve as aid-de-camp upon his staff with the rank of colonel.

Colonel Parker is very prominent in the circles of Odd Fellowship, being P. C. P. of Trotter Encampment of Bradford, and grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of Vermont, having held that position since 1887. He is also a Free Mason, affiliating with Char- ity Lodge, No. 43 ; Mt. Lebanon Chapter, No. 11, R. A. M. ; Bradford Council, No. 1I, of Bradford ; Palestine Commandery, No. 5, of St. Johnsbury, and Mt. Sinai Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Montpelier.

PARKER.

He is deputy supreme regent of the Royal Arcanum.

He was married at Nashua, N. H., Sept. 24, 1873, to Anna M., daughter of William S. and Sarah (Emerson) Weston. Five children have blessed their union: Leslie Weston (died in infancy), Katherine Louise, Sarah Knowles, Charles, and Levi.

Colonel Parker is a spirited advocate of all village improvements, heartily devoted to the interests of his town and section, always on the alert to introduce new enter- prises, and a progressive and popular editor.

PARKER, HENRY J., of Andover, son of Benjamin and Betsey (Fullam) Parker, was born in Plainfield, N. H., May 2, 1836.

After attending the common schools, he continued his educational course at the Wesleyan Seminary of Springfield, and the Kimball Union Academy of Meriden, N. H. In the spring of 1855, he found employment in Boston, Mass., as a bookkeeper, but soon went to Ottawa, Ill., where he obtained his living by teaching and also served as a clerk in various establishments for four years, when he returned to Springfield.

HENRY J. PARKER.

He was united in marriage, Nov. 9, 1859, to Adelaide E., daughter of Timothy and Emily Putnam of Springfield. One child has blessed the marriage : Edwin H.

Mr. Parker in response to the call for volunteers to serve for nine months, enlisted Sept. 1, 1862, in Co. H, 16th Regt., from

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the town of Weston and was mustered out with that command.

After his return from the scenes of the struggle, he purchased an estate in Andover and this has since been his residence. He has made many improvements in the property, since he understands both the theory and practice of farming, making a specialty of dairy produce and maple sugar. For a quarter of a century he has been the general state agent for the Granite State Mowing Machine Co., of Hinsdale, N. H., and has traveled several years in the in- terests of A. P. Fuller & Co., dealers in granite and marble. He was one of the incorporators and a trustee of the Chester Savings Bank and since its formation direc- tor and treasurer of the Andover Dairy Asso- ciation.

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Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont, Part 77

Author: Ullery, Jacob G., comp; Davenport, Charles H; Huse, Hiram Augustus, 1843-1902; Fuller, Levi Knight, 1841-1896 Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Brattleboro, Vt. : Transcript Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 842

Author: Ullery, Jacob G., comp; Davenport, Charles H; Huse, Hiram Augustus, 1843-1902; Fuller, Levi Knight, 1841-1896
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Brattleboro, Vt. : Transcript Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 842