USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 83
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Mr. Read is quite liberal in all his views, both religious and political, believing Ameri- can people should have free thought and a free ballot, thus enabling them to act upon their own convictions of right and wrong. His father's advice to him when a boy was to be a farmer. Therefore, he moved to Addi- son in 1858, and shouldered a debt of $7,000, on two hundred acres of land, which has been paid, and more property added to the orig- inal purchase. Mr. Read believes that farm- ing will pay.
REED, MARCUS L., of West Concord, son of Samuel S. and Louisa (Joslin) Reed, was born in Kirby, Feb. 5, 1839.
Mr. Reed received an excellent common school education in Kirby and Concord, to which town his father removed when Marcus was seventeen years old. As soon as he arrived at his majority he went to Burlington, where his brother was extensively engaged in business pursuits. Here he remained a short period and then returned to engage in the shoe trade.
Thinking that his country had need of all her sons, he enlisted, Feb. 24, 1864, in Co. G, 17th Regt. Vt. Vols., which suffered heavier losses for its time of service than any other organization that left the Green Mountain state, and in its ranks fought in the
fierce struggle of the Wilderness, and at Spottsylvania, where he was wounded. Sent to Washington, he soon returned to the front, only to be stricken down by sickness while in camp at the Weldon R. R. Again he was transferred to Washington and de- tailed to take charge of the ordnance and knapsack room of Harwood Hospital, Wash- ington, D. C., which duty he performed till his discharge as acting orderly in July, 1865.
Mr. Reed was married at Concord, Sept. 13, 1866, to Emily C., daughter of Theophilus and Hannah Chick Grout. They have two children : William Livingston, and George W.
MARCUS L. REED.
When he returned from the South he moved to Granby, where he occupied himself in farming till 1878, when he removed to West Concord and from thence in 1886 to the excellent farm he now occupies.
While residing in Granby Mr. Reed was elected to all local offices, and represented that town in 1869 and 1870. In 1892 he was a member of the Legislature from Con- cord. He is an excellent presiding officer, a man of dignified yet genial manners and of excellent judgment.
For thirty years he has belonged to the Masonic brotherhood. Four terms he has served as worshipful master of Moose River Lodge of West Concord and he is a Sir Knight of Palestine Commandery. After his return from the war he also became a member of Woodbury Post, G. A. R.
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ROBERTS.
ROBERTS, DANIEL, of Burlington, the son of Daniel and Amira Roberts, was born at Wallingford, May 25, 1811. Daniel Rob- ents, senior, was the son of a Revolutionary solcher, and after serving a seven years' apprenticeship to the cloth dresser's trade, became a wandering schoolmaster, and with his young wife came to Wallingford, where be pursued his regular vocation for thirty years or more and then removed to Man- chester. Here he purchased and cultivated a farm.
Both parents of the subject of this sketch were more than usually intelligent and noted for their musical ability, a talent which their son naturally inherits. He entered Middle- bury College at the age of fourteen, gradu- ating in the class of 1829. He then studied law with Hon. Harvey Button, of Walling- ford, and was admitted to the bar of the Rutland county court at the September term, 1832.
DANIEL ROBERTS.
In the following November he started out to seek his fortune, with ninety dollars in his pocket, and after various adventures in New York and Ohio finally reached Grand Gulf and Natchez, Miss., in which latter place he was admitted to the bar on public examina- tion in court. After a short sojourn in New Orleans the young traveler took passage up the Mississippi on the steamer Yellowstone, which made an annual trip in the Indian fur trade. He endeavored to secure a chance of employment in that trade during the spring voyage, but was unsuccessful. His
disappointment was his good fortune, as was probably his departure from New Orleans, for the cholera prevailed there during the season of 1833 and made sad havoc on the steamer. He then sought out and visited his kinsfolk in Winchester, Ill., where he spent the summer of 1833 in the woods shooting squirrels and wild turkeys and con- tracting the ague as compensation. He then went to Jacksonville, Ill., and formed a busi- ness connection with Murray McConnell. In the summer of 1835 Mr. Roberts returned to his native state, in which he has resided ever since. He took the office and suc- ceeded to the business of Milo L. Bennett, of Manchester, afterwards a judge of the Supreme Court, and remained in practice there for twenty years, when he removed to Burlington, where he formed a partnership with Lucius E. Chittenden, afterwards regis- ter of the treasury. It is now more than sixty-one years since Mr. Roberts was ad- mitted to the bar, fifty-eight years of which period he has been in active practice in this state. His name first appears in the state reports in the case of Kimpton vs. Walker, 9th Vt. Reports, 191, February Term, 1837, and can be found in every volume from the ninth up to the present time.
His earliest politics were strongly anti- slavery, and as a Liberty-party man, free soiler and the like, in the then prevailing state of public opinion, offices did not seek him ; for two years, however, he was bank commis- sioner, and from the spring of 1865 to that of 1866 he was a special agent of the United States Treasury Department. In 1868 he was elected state's attorney for Chittenden county, and during the first term of Presi- dent Grant's administration he was offered the position of solicitor of the United States Treasury Department, but declined the honor. He has served the city of Burlington as city attorney for three terms. Although never in the Legislature, Mr. Roberts has had marked influence in guiding the legislation of the state. His hand is clearly seen throughout the general statutes by those familiar with their history and development. In particu- lar he has been instrumental in securing by the statute, simplification of the ancient rules of criminal pleading, and enlarging the prop- erty rights of married women. His views upon law reform he developed at length in an address before the Vermont Bar Associa- tion as president thereof in 1880. Two years previous, under a contract made with the judges of the Supreme Court by authority of the Legislature, he completed a digest of the decisions of that court down to, and includ- ing, volume 48 of the Vermont Reports, en- titled "Roberts' Vermont Digest." This work is accepted among the profession in Vermont as a model digest for its terseness
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accuracy of statement and for bringing out the very point of the decision. In 1889 he published a supplement to this digest, em- bracing volumes 49 to 60 inclusive.
At the Vermont centennial celebration at Bennington, August 16, 1877, he was the ap- pointed orator of the occasion. His dis- course is inserted among the published pro- ceedings of the day, is a valuable historical document and a good specimen of Mr. Rob- erts' impressive and scholarly style. In 1879 at the semi-centennial gathering of his college class he received the degree of L. L. D. from his alma mater.
Mr. Roberts was united in marriage, July, 1837, to Caroline, daughter of Rev. Stephen Martindale, of Wallingford. She died on the 14th of June, 1886. Four children are the issue of this union : Mary, Caroline M., Stephen M., and Robert.
Besides his engagements in the U. S. Cir- cuit Court, the practice of Mr. Roberts has been mainly in the counties of Chittenden, Rutland, Addison and Bennington. Among the criminal cases in which he has appeared which possess some dramatic interest or involve some intricate principle of the law, may be named that of the State vs. Archi- bald Bates, Bennington county. Mr. Rob- erts and Harmon Canfield were assigned by Chief Justice Williams to defend Bates for the crime of murdering his brother's wife. In spite of their strenuous efforts the jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and Bates was hung on Bennington Hill on the 8th of Feb- ruary, 1839. This was the last public execu- tion in Vermont. Since that time all executions have been within the walls of the state prison. Mr. Roberts has said of this trial that, although he defended the pris- oner with all the earnestness possible, he never spoke to him before, during, or after the proceedings, nor even went to see him hung. State vs. McDonald, 32d Vt. Reports, 491, is a leading case involving the law of homicide. Mr. Roberts' brief in the case is particularly pointed and, as well as the opin- ion of Chief Justice Redfield, is worth study. On a second trial McDonald was very prop-
erly convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to state's prison for life, where during his confinement he died of consumption. Such of the civil causes in which Mr. Roberts has been engaged as have been sent to the Supreme Court are to be found scattered through nearly sixty volumes of the state reports. He still continues busily engaged in his professional labors.
ROBERTS, ELLIS G., of Fair Haven, son of Robert and Janette (Griffith) Roberts, was born in Bontnewydd near Carnarvon, North Wales, August 25, 1850.
ROBERTS.
Educated in National and British schools of that country he came to America in 1873, settled in Scranton, Pa., being associated with a prominent physician in a drug store. Returning to Wales in 1878, he entered the Royal University, Belfast, Ireland, as an undergraduate, studying medicine and sur- gery during the years 1878,-'79-'80. Return- ing to America in 1883, he entered the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, graduating in the course of medicine and surgery, in May, 1884.
Engaging in the practice of his profession
ELLIS G. ROBERTS.
in Fair Haven, immediately after, he has ac- quired a large and successful practice and is well known as a genial associate and a phy- sician of sterling ability and character. He was appointed health officer in 1891, which position he now holds, and is the accredited medical examiner of all the leading life insurance associations. He has traveled extensively in this and foreign countries.
In politics a staunch Republican, he is active in all that pertains to the welfare of the state and nation.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church ; Eureka Lodge No. 75, F. & A. M .; of Poultney Chapter, No. 10, R. A. M. : Killing- ton Commandry, No. 6, Rutland : Noble of Mt. Sinai Temple A. A. O. N. S., Montpelier, and various other organizations.
He was married to Jennie, daughter of Evan D. and Winifred Humphrey, at Fair Haven, April 18, 1889,
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ROBI RISON.
ROBERTS, EL BERT JAMES, of Jackson sonville, son of Benjamin Franklin and Cor- sanda ( Brown ) Roberts, was born in Whit- ingham, May 9, 1866. He belongs to a family of purest New England stor k, and one long and honorably connected with the town, being a great grandson of the Hon. James Roberts, who was one of its original settlers.
His education was acquired in the schools of Jacksonville, and from three years attendance att Arms Academy, Shelburne Falls, Mass. For a while after leaving this institution he taught school, but soon entered the employ- ment of W. A. Brown as a clerk in his store at Jacksonville. In the fall of 1889 Mr. Roberts started for himself purchasing the Porter grist and saw mill, where he has done a prosperous and flourishing trade. To this occupation he has added a widely spread traffic in fertilizers, all kinds of farming im- plements and machinery, and also conducts a large business in vehicles and a livery stable. He is, besides, a speculator to a considerable extent in wool and all kinds of live stock.
He was united in marriage, March 11, 1891, to Clara, daughter of J. W. Sawyer of Sadawga. Mr. Roberts is an active Demo- crat and most loyal to his party. He takes a very active interest in all village, town and county affairs. For three years he has been the first constable of his town, and has acted as the treasurer of the North River Manu- facturing Co.
He belongs to the Universalist church, and has also joined the Masonic fraternity, being an active member of Unity Lodge, No. 89, of Jacksonville.
ROBERTSON, JOHN, of Bellows Falls, son of William and Christian (Ross) Rob- ertson, was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Oct. 4, 1824. The parents of Mr. Robert- son came from Scotland and settled and for a time lived in Putney, but afterward re- moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where they remained about three years. When he was about a year old his parents returned to Put- ney, where his father engaged in the manu- facture of paper.
He was educated in the common schools of Putney and in the larger school of life, which so eminently qualifies men for its duties and responsibilities. He entered upon the paper maker's trade with his father at an early age, and by hard work and diligent study acquired a thorough knowledge of the methods and management of the business and was fully qualified for his after life. At the age of eighteen he was given his time, and, in connection with a brother, began the manufacture of paper on his own account in Putney. In 1872 he began business in Bel- lows Falls, under the firm name of Rob-
ROBERTSON.
ertson, Moore & Co. In 1882 this co- partnership was dissolved and the firm of John Robertson & Son was formed and con- tinues to the present time. In 1882 their spacious factory which they now occupy was built. The same year he moved to Bellows Falls, still continuing to hold a large interest in the Putney mills in addition to the Bel- lows F'alls concern.
Mr. Robertson is a consistent advocate of Republican principles, and was elected rep- resentative to the General Court from Putney in 1867 and 1868, serving on the committee of manufacturing and corporations. Upon his becoming eligible in 1884, he was chosen by his fellow citizens of Rockingham to rep- resent them in the Legislature.
JOHN ROBERTSON.
Mr. Robertson is a member of the Golden Rule Lodge, F. & A. M., and has filled the offices of J. W., S. W. and Master, and is a firm believer in the principles of the order.
He was married, Oct. 5, 1846, to Nancy J., daughter of James and Mary (Smith) Black. Of this union were : Mary C., Charles E., Helen C. (deceased), Jennie M., and Jennie C. (deceased). Mrs. Robertson died August 15, 1886. On Oct. 10, 1888, he was again married, to Stella M., daughter of Thomas and Mary (Chilson) Dana. One child, Marion D., was born to them. Mrs. Robertson died June 11, 1892.
ROBERTSON, WILLIAM, of Putney, son of George and Margaret (Benson) Robertson, was born in Hartford, Conn., June 15, 1822.
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ROBERTSON.
His parents moved to Putney in 1823, where he received his early education. After locating in Putney his father formed a partnership with his brother for the manu- facture of writing paper, which continued until 1828, when he put up a mill in the vil- lage for the manufacture of the same by hand. No sooner was this completed than a freshet carried it away but he soon erected a new mill and operated it until 1837, when he commenced the manufacture of straw
WILLIAM ROBERTSON.
paper, young Robertson working with him until 1840 when on account of serious re- verses hisfather and he failed. Young Robert- son without a dollar bought the mill and fol- lowed the business until 1865, when he began the manufacture of tissue paper with fresh machinery and a new mill and is now carry- ing on the business.
At the time of the St. Albans raid the state militia was organized and Mr. Robertson was made captain of Co. B. This force was maintained for several years, but was never called on for service.
Captain Robertson is a Republican and has represented his town in the Legislature, doing creditable service in that body.
Captain Robertson was married in Mont- pelier, Oct. 2, 1834, to Abbie A., daughter of Dr. Amore and Abigail (Drown) Benson, of Landgrove. Of this union are three chil- dren : Frederick E., Frank M., and Helen.
ROBINSON.
He is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Golden Rule Lodge, of Putney, and the Brattleboro Commandery and Chapter.
ROBINSON, GEORGE WARDSWORTH, late of Bennington, son of Capt. Heman and Betsey (Wardsworth) Robinson, was born in Bennington Centre, Jan. 14, 1819. Grandson of Gen. David Robinson, who took part in the battle of Bennington. He was educated in the public schools and academy of Bennington, and when he arrived at man's estate he took his departure for New York City, where he was employed as a clerk in a carpet store, but at the solicitation of his grandfather returned to Bennington in 1843, taking charge of the general's estate. Later he became proprietor of the Walloomsac House, and was also employed as an auctioneer.
Politically Mr. Robinson was a Democrat and was formerly postmaster at Bennington Centre. He was a charter member and the first president of the Bennington Historical Society, to which he devoted much time and
GEORGE WARDSWORTH ROBINSON.
labor. He was also much interested in the erection of the Bennington battle monument, and he is the fortunate possessor of a very fine collection of relics relating to the battle which are of much historical interest.
Mr. Robinson was united in marriage. April 8, 1840, to Jane E., daughter of Joseph N. Hinsdill, of Hinsdillville. To them nine children were born: David. Mrs. Fannie
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ROGERS.
Harrison of San Francisco, Chester H., Heman, Agnes J., Sarah Fay ( Mrs. Sammel B. Hall), Carrie 11., Jennie E., and George A.
ROBINSON, JOHN C., of Jamaica, son of John P. and Mary R. (Cheney) Robin son, was born in Jamaica, Sept. 12, 18.40.
Hle pursued the usual educational course in the common schools of his native town, and supplemented this by study at the Le- land and Gray Seminary at Townshend and the Methodist Seminary of Springfield.
After leaving school, at the age of twenty, he opened a photographer's establishment, in which he was employed for five years ; he then closed out his business and gave his services to the West River National Bank of Jamaica as teller, remaining there until 1875. He was elected treasurer of the Jamaica Sav- ings Bank in 1873 and has since held that
JOHN C. ROBINSON.
position. When the charter of the national bank expired in 1885 the savings bank bought its building and has since carried on a business which has greatly prospered under the able management of Mr. Robinson.
Mr. Robinson was wedded June 10, 1878, to Ella J., daughter of John and Maria (Stowell) Cheney. Four children have been born to them : John S., Carroll C. (who was a messenger in the Legislature of 1892), Roe E., and Mary, all of whom are living.
He has been the incumbent of several official positions, was made collector of taxes in 1882, and was superintendent of schools
for several years ; also justice of the peace, town agent and town grand juror.
Mr. Robinson is a Republican and was postmaster from 1877 to 1885, and in 1892 he was elected to represent Jamaica in the General Assembly.
ROGERS, NATHANIEL SEWALL, of New- port, son of Nathaniel and Mary (Smith) Rogers, was born in Moultonboro, N. H., June 7, 1840. When he was five years of age his father moved to Newport Centre, where he commenced to clear and cultivate a farm, in the labor of which his son assisted, while pursuing his studies at the public schools. The father, at the age of fifty- seven, entered the army Oct. 1, 1862, in Co. H, 15th Regt. Vt. Vols., fighting in defence of the Union. On March 9, 1863, was taken prisoner by Mosby, at the time General Stoughton was taken, and confined in Libby Prison and finally exchanged, when he re- turned to his home completely broken in health.
During this period the subject of this sketch took his father's place, supporting the family during his absence. After his father's return, prompted by a conscientious desire to serve his country (having been prevented up to this time by illness), he enlisted Sept. 15, 1863, as a private in Battery M, Ist Vt. Heavy Artillery. Having been mustered into service in Brattleboro, Mr. Rogers first served in the defences of Washington, and subsequently, in the battle of Spottsylvania, was the first man wounded in his regiment, in consequence of which disaster he lost his right leg, and was discharged from the Mont- pelier Hospital Sept. 14, 1865.
At the conclusion of the war he returned to Newport Centre, and, having previously purchased his father's farm, continued to carry it on till the death of his parents. In 1880 he moved to his present village resi- dence.
He was naturally a Republican, and as such has held many positions of trust. Was justice of the peace for fourteen years ; and in September, 1892, was elected assistant judge of Orleans county.
Judge Rogers was united in marriage Sept. 25, 1866, to Mary E., daughter of Rufus and Philinda (Oaks) Whipple of Newport Centre. Three children were the issue of this marriage : Elmer C., Ernest S., and Jennie G.
Judge Rogers has been adjutant, chaplain, and commander of T. B. Alexander Post, No. 26, G. A. R., and for the past year held the office of assistant inspector department Vt. G. A. R. He has been connected with the executive committee, and teacher and member in the Sunday school of the Free
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ROONEY.
Will 'Baptist Church, with which he united at theage of nineteen years.
ROONEY, MICHAEL F., of Mendon, son of Thomas and Ellen (McLaughlin) Rooney, was born in West Rutland, Dec. 27, 1863.
MICHAEL F. ROONEY.
Receiving his early education in the pub- lic and private schools of West Rutland and Clarendon, he has later devoted much at- tention to study and reading, especially in matters relating to state legislation. In 1888 he settled in the town of Mendon, where he engaged in farming and lumber- ing. His business has steadily increased in magnitude and prosperity, and he is now running a steam saw mill, which employs a large force of hands. Though yet a young man and living in a rural community, he has met with unusual success financially and po- litically.
A Democrat in political faith, and a resi- dent of a strongly Republican town, he has been the recipient of many responsible posi- tions at the hands of his fellow-citizens, and has always discharged these trusts with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituents. In 1890 he was elected the rep- resentative from Mendon, an ample proof of his popularity and the high esteem in which he is held by all his friends and neighbors. In his first legislative experience he showed himself an active and conservative member of the House, securing an appropriation for his town, also introducing the fortnightly
payment bill, which measure became a law of the state. He was largely influential on the committees on highways and bridges. Two years afterward he again received the same compliment, though opposed by one of the strongest and ablest Republicans of the town. In this Legislature he also dis- played the same vigor as at first, doing duty again on the same committees as before.
In his religious preferences Mr. Rooney is a Catholic, but he has always been a hearty and liberal supporter of all Christian institutions.
ROOT, HENRY GREEN, of Bennington, son of Elisha and Betsey ( Moseley) Root, was born in Greenfield, Mass., Sept. 18, 1818.
His early education was received in the public schools of Greenfield, and this was supplemented by a course of study at Fellen- burg and Deerfield academies.
At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of Boynton & Whitcomb, at Temple- ton, Mass., to learn the manufacture of tin- ware. Four years later he formed a partner- ship with Luther R. Graves and soon after
HENRY GREEN ROOT.
they established themselves in Bennington, under the firm name of Graves & Root, which firm existed more than fifty years, and for many years they were the largest producers of tinware in Vermont. They established the second National bank in Vermont, of which Mr. Graves was president, and Mr.
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ROSS.
Root vice president, which offices they hold at the present time.
He was a director of the board of the Ben nington Battle Monument Association, and chairman of the excentise committee at the centennial celebration at that place.
He has been for more than thirty years a director of the Vermont State Agricultural Society, serving three years as its president.
Formerly a whig he is now a staunch ad- herent of the Republican party, was for sev- eral years member and chairman of the state committee and represented Bennington in the Legislature in 1850 and 1857. In 1860, as elector at large, he voted for Abraham Lincoln, and six years later he served two successive terms as senator from Bennington county.
Since 1857 he has been a member of the Congregational church, of which for several years he has been a trustee.
Mr. Root married, Dec. 23; 1846, Cath- erine 1 .. , daughter of Samuel H. and Sylvia (Squires) Blackmer, of Bennington, who died in September, 1887. Two children were the fruit of the union : Samuel H., and Catherine E. (Mrs. William A. Root). On Jan. 23, 1889, Mr. Root married Mary A., daughter of Dr. Nathan and Esther (Conkey) Gale, of Orwell.
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