USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 87
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125
He is also very prominent in social circles, and has twice been elected worship- ful master of Mt. Lebanon Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M., of which he was for ten years sec- retary.
Mr. Shumway was married August 13, 1858, to Miss Olive Ann, daughter of Chandler and Polly J. Waterman. Of this union there were three children : M. Agnes, Arthur E., and Olive E.
SHURTLEFF, JOHN TAYLOR, of Ben- nington, son of Jonas and Elizabeth (Tay- lor) Shurtleff, was born in Williamsport, N. Y., Dec. 31, 1834. Mr. Shurtleff's great- grandfather, having a plantation near Tren- ton, N. J., furnished cattle for the Revolu- tionary army in camp near Philadelphia, and General Washington was godfather to the planter's son. His grandfather, Benoni, served in both land and naval battles of the Revolution.
The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools of Bridgewater and Phillipsbury, Penn., and afterward pursued a course of studies in the Waterville Institute in the state of Maine, and in St. Mary's Academy, P. Q. In 1851 he came to Woodstock, where he entered the medical college. In 1857 he found em- ployment as prescription clerk in the store of Hageman, Clark & Co., New York City, and later took a medical course in the Ann Arbor Medical College.
For two years he was employed in drug stores at Ottumwa, Ia., and Springfield, Ill., and in 1859 established himself in the drug business in Bennington, where he has built up one of the largest trades in this line and has patented several valuable remedies of his own.
He has filled many minor public positions and in 1886 was sent as representative from Bennington to the Legislature, serving on the general committee and that on banks.
SIN RILFIL.
SILSBY.
He is a director of the Bennington County National Bank since first organized, trustee and formerly treasurer of the Bennington County Savings Bank, and a member of the Bennington Monument Association, which organization he has served as director and one of the finance committee.
Mr. Shurtleff has been actively associated with the Masonic fraternity, for twelve years presided over Mount Anthony Lodge, No. 13, for many successive terms has filled the positions of High Priest of Temple Chap- ter, No. 8, and past Grand King of the Grand Chapter of Vermont. He is also past commander of Taft Commandery, No. 8, and for many years has acted as senior warden and treasurer of St. Peter's Episcopal Church of Bennington.
June 26, 1862, Mr. Shurtleff was united in marriage to Maria E., daughter of Samuel and Julia Mower, of Woodstock. She departed this life in September, 1881, leaving two sur- viving children : George Henry, and Mary Elizabeth.
SHURTLEFF, STEPHEN CURRIER, of Montpelier, son of Abial and Rebecca (Cur- rier) Shurtleff, was born in Walden, Jan. 13, 1838. He is descended from William Shurt- leff, the first of the name in the United States, who was killed by lightning at Marsh- field, Mass., June 23, 1666.
STEPHEN CURRIER SHURTLEFF.
He received his early educational training in the common schools of Walden, and farther pursued his studies at the academies
of Glover, Newbury and Morrisville. Re- solving to follow the profession of the law, he studied at Plainfield with C. H. Heath, Esq., and was admitted to the bar of Wash- ington county at the March term, 1863. In the following May he commenced to practice at East Hardwick, but in September of the same year removed to Plainfield, where he practiced nutil 1876. In this year he estab- lished himself at Montpelier, where he has since resided.
He was united in marriage April 28, 1868, to Elizabeth M., daughter of John Augus- tine and Arminda MI. Pratt, of Marshfield. By her he has had two children : Harry C., and Maud I ..
Mr. Shurtleff has always been a Democrat, and in 1874 he represented Plainfield in the Legislature, and in 1886 and 1888 was the Democratic candidate for Governor.
Self-reliant and strong, Mr. Shurtleff, from the first, has steadily advanced to his present enviable position at the bar. He has been for many years the counsel of the Montpe- lier & Wells River R. R., and his practice extends well over the state. He also has a good practice in the United States courts, especially as a patent lawyer. In 1890, in a Legislature strongly adverse politically, he received an almost successful support for a seat on the supreme bench of the state.
SILSBY, WENDELL, of West Burke, son of Harvey and Celia ( Bloss) Silsby, was born in Lunenburg, March 28, 1846.
After attending some of the public schools of Westmore until the age of sixteen, he enlisted as private in Co. E, 11th Regt. Vt. Vols., in which command he was one of the youngest soldiers. Though a mere youth he- did his duty manfully in the battles of Spott- sylvania and Cold Harbor, and having been seriously wounded he was transported to the hospitals at Annapolis and Montpelier, where he remained until he was honorably mustered out of the U. S. service, May 22, 1865. After his recovery, for some time he united with his brother in the manufacture of lumber, and he has been engaged in this occupation more or less since that time. In 1872 he purchased an establishment of his own in Westmore, which he operated until 1890. In 1884 he added to his possessions a shingle mill of large capacity, and two years later a saw-mill, finally constructing a dressing mill in 1892. Mr. Silsby has acted as lister in Westmore and Burke, and for six years has discharged the duties of justice of the peace in the latter place. He has represented both towns in the Legislature, serving on the committee of manufactures in both sessions. For two years he was the commander of D. Rattray Post, No. 9, G. A. R., is an Odd Fellow, and has no marked
363
SILVER.
religious preference, yet attends and sup- ports the Methodist church.
April 11, 1873, Mr. Silsby married Ada, daughter of Elbridge and Sarah (Marshall) Gaskell. Three children have been born of this marriage : Charles E., Harvey W., and Mabel.
SILVER, WILLIAM RILEY, of Bloomfield, son of Arad and Sophie ( Nichols) Silver, was born in Bloomfield, March 27, 1820.
Arad Silver came to Bloomfield (then called Mine Head) in 1805, and William R. remained with him on his large farm until his majority. The latter was one of a family of ten children and enjoyed only the most limited educational advantages, walking to school two and one-half miles, journeying over the state line to Columbia, N. H., but he carefully improved the limited opportun- ities afforded him. His first essay in active life was a passage down the river to Middle- town, Conn., on a lumber drive and raft, and for five years he labored in the woods near the banks of the Connecticut river. When he returned to Bloomfield he purchased a fine estate on the Connecticut river, which ever since he has made his place of resi- dence. He has been successfully engaged in general farming and for fourteen consecu- tive years has won the first premium for seed corn at Upper Coos and Essex county fairs. He has made sheep husbandry a specialty. He is remarkably vigorous and well pre- served for his years, and can read without glasses. He signed the temperance pledge at the age of ten years and has never drank a glass of liquor in his life.
His political record has been that of a Republican, for which party he with two others deposited the first ballot in town. Representing Bloomfield four terms in the Legislature, he always served on the com- mittee on agriculture. In 1876 he received the appointment of associate judge of Essex county court. Judge Silver is recognized in the community as a man of benevolent im- pulses, keen judgment and prudent foresight, possessing the respect and good-will of all his acquaintances and friends.
In 1849 he was married at Bloomfield, to Relief, daughter of Adin and Nancy (Clough) Bartlett. By her he has had issue eight children : George, Louisa (deceased), Elvira, William R., Henry, Fayette, Bernice, and Alice (Mrs. Edson Holden).
SIMONDS, DAVID KENDALL, of Man- chester, son of David and Anna (Byam) Simonds, was born in Peru, April 5, 1839.
His education was received in the public schools of Peru, Burr and Burton Seminary, Manchester, and was graduated from Middle- bury College in July, 1862, ranking fourth in
SKINNER.
his class. In order to defray his expenses during his collegiate career he taught in the Westfield grammar school, in North Troy village and for two years was principal of Champlain Academy, N. Y., at the same time keeping up his studies with his college class. In June, 1863, he visted Tennessee and Mississippi as correspondent of the Chi- cago Tribune, Missouri Republican, and the New York World. Later he studied law with Crane and Bisbee, at Newport, and was ad- mitted to the bar of Orleans county in 1865. Here he practiced his profession for four years during which time, in connection with Royal Cummings, he organized the Newport Express, which he edited for some time, and then he removed to St. Johnsbury. There he founded and took charge of the St. Johns- bury Times, and soon after accepted a simi- lar position from C. A. Pierce, proprietor of the Bennington Banner. In 1871, he trans- ferred his labors to Manchester, where he bought the Journal of that place, which he still owns and edits. Mr. Simonds has been the author of several books and pamphlets.
He was united in marriage, August 7, 1873, to Ellen M., daughter of Rev. Asa and Mary (Simonds) Clark, formerly of Peru. Two children are the fruit of this union : Louise, and Clark.
For three months during the war Mr. Simonds served in the 3d Tennessee Regi- ment, and as correspondent he followed Grant and Sherman to Atlanta.
Republican in his political views, he has held many offices in the gift of the people in both Newport and Manchester and represen- ted the latter town in the Legislature in 1886, giving his services in that body as chairman of the educational committee. Two years later he was chosen senator from Bennington county, where he was chairman of the commit- tee on federal relations and a member of the committees on education and military affairs.
Mr. Simonds has taken the Masonic vows in Adoniram Lodge, Adoniram Chapter, and Taft Commandery. In 1888 he was Grand Patron of Vermont for the order of the East- ern Star, and he has taken much interest in the Vermont Press Association, belongs to the Manchester Congregational Church, and is one of the executive committee of the Western Vermont Congregational Club. He is also a trustee of Middlebury College, and of Burr and Burton Seminary.
SKINNER, ELIAB REED, of Montpelier, son of Simeon and Abigail ( Reed) Skinner, was born in Brookfield, Dec. 25, 1819.
He received a common school education in Brookfield and Chelsea, to which latter place his parents had removed in 1826, and he also attended a private school under the tuition of Rev. Mr. Dow, a noted divine of
361
SKINNER.
the period. When he arrived at man's estate he commenced active business as a butcher, in which occupation he remained until 1852, when he commenced at Chelsea a wholesale trathe in staple and fancy goods, moving to Montpelier in 1858, then extending his trade through the entire northern part of the state. In this he continued till 1875, ever increas- ing the business, and employing many four- horse teams to travel, not only in this state, but also through northern New York. At this time he resigned the personal superin- tendence of the business, which, however, he still continues to transact by means of traveling agents. In 1886 he purchased a controlling interest in the Montpelier Gas-
ELIAB REED SKINNER.
light Co., to which he devoted his principal attention till 1892, when the plant was pur- chased by the Standard Light and Power Co.
Mr. Skinner was married, March 27, 1848, to Laura A. Bean, daughter of William and Mary Wilson of Chelsea.
He is a good type of the old-time mer- chant, one who always minded his own busi- ness and minded it well, and who enjoys with the ample competence it has given him the good-will and respect of his towns- men.
SKINNER, RICHARD BAXTER, of Bar- ton, son of Dr. Jonathan Fitch and Sophia (Stevens) Skinner, was born in Barnet, May I, 1834.
His education was obtained in the schools of Barnet, Brownington Academy and the
SKINNER.
Lyndon and Peacham Academies. After his gradnation from these institutions he at- tended a course of lectures in Castleton Medical College and in the medical depart- ment of Harvard University, from which latter he graduated in 1858 with the highest honors in his class. The following summer he began in Barton the practice of his pro- fession with his father, with whom he re- mained till 1871, since which time he has been by himself. Dr. Skinner has an ex- tensive practice all over Orleans county and is in great demand as a consulting surgeon in doubtful and critical cases. For the sake of recreation he has purchased a small farm and was one of the earliest breeders of Jersey cattle in the county.
In 1860 he received a commission as surgeon of the Third Militia Regiment of Vermont from Governor Hall.
He has been a staunch Republican since the formation of that party, and in 1880 represented Barton in the Legislature. He was chairman of House committee on the house of correction rendering efficient ser- vice on that committee.
For several years he was one of the trus- tees of Barton Academy and town superin- tendent of schools. He was one of the early members of the Orleans County Medi-
RICHARD BAXTER SKINNER.
cal Association and also a member of the Vermont State and White Mountain Medical Associations. He was a member of the Newport board of examining surgeons for
365
SMALLEY.
pensions at Newport for the four years of President Harrison's administration.
From his early manhood he has been an active member of the Congregational church.
Dr. Skinner was married, Feb. 24, 1864, to Marcia A., daughter of Amos C. and Eliza E. Robinson of Barton, who died Nov. 27, 1882.
SMALLEY, BRADLEY BARLOW, of Bur- lington, son of Judge David A. Smalley, was born in Jericho, Nov. 26, 1836.
BRADLEY BARLOW SMALLEY.
His father, David A. Smalley, was one of the most eminent citizens of Vermont, and when Bradley was four years of age he re- moved to Burlington. There the son dili- gently availed himself of the excellent op- portunities afforded him to obtain a good common school and academical education. This completed, he decided to adopt the legal profession, beginning the requisite studies in the office of his father, where he also finished his professional education under the supervision of that admirable expositor of the law, and was admitted to the bar of Chittenden county in 1863. Two years prior to the latter event he received the appoint- ment of clerk of the United States courts in Vermont, which position he held till 1885 when he was appointed collector of customs by President Cleveland. He was collector till 1889 and was again appointed to the same office in 1883 and is the present in- cumbent.
SMILIE.
Mr. Smalley's political affiliations are with the national Democratic party. That or- ganization seems to be in the permanent minority in Vermont, but notwithstanding this Mr. Smalley wields much influence and has made his mark on the legislative history of the state. In 1874 and again in 1878 he represented Burlington in the Legislature, and established his reputation as a practical working member. He has also held muni- cipal offices in the city of Burlington. In the councils of the Democratic party, both na- tional and state, Mr. Smalley has been and is an influential participant. He has been a member of the national Democratic commit- tee since 1873, and since 1876 has been a member of the national executive commit- tee. As such he has devoted nearly the whole of his time to the service of his party, during the later presidential campaigns hav- ing charge of one of the departments. He has been a delegate from the state of Ver- mont to nearly, if not all, the national Demo- cratic conventions for twenty years. He is in possession of the fullest confidence of his fellow-Democratic leaders, and exhibits al- most unlimited power for active political work.
Mr. Smalley was one of the World's Fair Commissioners from Vermont.
Mr. Smalley has manifested much and most intelligent interest in the railroad affairs of the state, and was a director of the Central Vermont R. R. up to the time of its reorganization. He is now one of the direc- tors of the Southeastern system of railroads, and is also a director of the Burlington Trust Co.
Thorough and diligent in business, excel- lent in civil life, and efficient in all things by him undertaken, he is respected equally by political friends and political opponents.
Bradley B. Smalley was married on the 4th of June, 1860, to Caroline M., daughter of Hon. Carlos Baxter, late of Burlington. Five children have been the fruit of their union.
SMILIE, MELVILLE EARL, of Montpel- ier, son of Earl and Matilda B. (Thurston) Smilie, was born in Canbridge, August 21, 1844. His father moved to Madison, Wis., in 1852, where he died in 1855, and Mel- ville returned to Vermont in September, 1856.
He received his preparatory education at the common schools and Underhill Acad- emy, and in 1861 entered the University of Vermont, but left that institution at the end of his sophomore year on account of failing health. After leaving college he was em- ployed as a clerk in a store until he began the study of law. Shortly afterward he moved to Montpelier, where he continued to read law
SMIJ11.
and was appointed deputy county clerk. He was admitted to the bar of Washington county March 15, 1866, and acted as the reporter of the Senate during the session of that year. When that body adjourned he engaged in the practice of his profession at Waterbury, where he remained seven years, during two of which he was employed as principal of the high school of that place.
Mr. Smilie was elected state's attorney for Washington county in 1868, and served for
MELVILLE EARL SMILIE.
two successive terms. He was also superin- tendent of schools in Waterbury. In 1874 he made his residence at Detroit, but the following year returned to Montpelier, taking charge of the county clerk's office during the last year of Clerk Newcomb's life. He was appointed county clerk the 27th of Jan- uary, 1876, and has discharged excellently the duties of the position to the present time. He was made president of the village corporation of Montpelier in 1890, and for the last eight years has served as justice of the peace. For many years Mr. Smilie has been a member of the Montpelier school board. He is a director and a member of the executive board of Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
He has entered the Masonic fraternity, affiliating with Winooski Lodge, No. 49, of Waterbury, in which he has filled the mas- ter's chair ; he also unites with the chapter and council.
Mr. Smilie was married in Waterbury, May 26, 1870, to Ellen, daughter of Heman and Beulah (Demmon) Pinneo. They have one son : Melville E.
SMITH, CHARLES CARROLL, was born in Sharon, Conn., Dine 11, 1830, the sixth in a family of eight children of Ransom and Lydia (Burtch) Smith.
Ilis boyhood was spent on a farm under ciremostances adverse to acquiring a liberal education, though he had longings in that direction. From the age of eight to eighteen years, a three-months' winter school in his native district was his annual allowance, but he so improved his incagre opportunities that he taught successfully the remaining winters till he reached his majority.
He then, for a short time, attended the State Normal School at New Britain, Conn., the better to fit himself for limited teaching in the common schools, but his early long- ings for an academic education so followed him, that he finally took a preparatory course at the Green Mountain Liberal Institute of South Woodstock, and the full course at Middlebury College, from which he was graduated in August, 1862.
His patriotic impulses at once led him to enter the Union army, as secession was then elated with victories won. He accord- ingly enlisted, August 30, in Co. E, 14th Regt. Vt. Vols., and with a creditable record served out his time, and was honorably dis- charged when his regiment was mustered out of the service of the United States.
Deciding to devote his life to the healing art, he began its study with Prof. Walter Carpenter of Burlington, and received his diploma from the medical department of the University of Vermont, in June, 1865 ; but wishing for further opportunity to study dis- eases before starting in private practice, he obtained a position on the staff of physicians attached to the Citizens' Hospital of Flat- bush, L. I., where he remained about a year. He then settled in the village of Gaysville, in Stockbridge, and has been favorably re- ceived as an intelligent and faithful medical practitioner in that community. He is a member of the White River Medical Associa- tion, and the choice for its presidency has more than once fallen to him, which shows his standing in the profession. He is also a member of the Vermont Medical Society. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and has served faithfully and acceptably in various offices in the town where he resides.
In politics he is a firm Republican, and as such represented his town in the state Leg- islature in 1872 and 1884. In 1890 he was a senator from Windsor county, and as a member of the committee on education and of several other committees, rendered im- portant service.
Dr. Smith belongs to the G. A. R. ; he was a member of Daniel Lillie Post, No. 61, located at Bethel, at its organization ; was
367
SMITH.
SMITH.
its first commander, and had several re-elec- tions to that position. But the veterans of his town desiring to meet nearer home, in 1891, Gen. H. H. Baxter Post, No. III, was organized at Gaysville, of which he was a charter member.
October 17, 1862, he married Mary L., daughter of Bela R. Perry of Hancock. To them three children have been born : Ran- som Perry (deceased), Mabel Gertrude, and Leda Florian.
SMITH, CLEMENT F., of Morrisville, son of Daniel and Betsey (Pike) Smith, was born in Morristown, July 29, 1856.
Mr. Smith is one of the best known and energetic young farmers in this vicinity. He was brought up on the farm where he now resides. After having availed himself of such educational advantages as were offered by the common schools and People's Acad- emy of Morrisville, he purchased his father's farm and stock, paying $10,500 with only $500 to pay down. Besides having his pay- ments to meet, he has greatly improved the farm and buildings, and has now one of the best Jersey dairies in Vermont. He keeps about forty cows, mostly pure bred, which average to produce nearly four hundred pounds of butter each per annum. He keeps abreast of the times in using all modern machinery, usually being the first one in his vicinity to try the merits of a new machine or device that comes upon the market. He has been agent for and sold a large amount of farm and dairy machinery in his county. His was the third silo that was built in Ver- mont. He was the first master of Lamoille Grange and has held several town offices. Laport Dairy, as he calls his farm, is pleas- antly situated about three miles from Mor- risville on the road to Stowe.
Since he was twenty years of age he has been continuously a steward of the M. E. Church. In politics he is a temperance Republican.
Mr. Smith married, Sept. 25, 1878, Mary A., daughter of Mark P. and Rhuhamah A. (Stevens) Burnham of Enfield, N. H. They have been blessed with six children : Mabel C., Lily A., Grace B., Ramy M., Alice B., and Mark B., all of whom are living.
SMITH, CHARLES F., of Topsham, son of Edmund H. and Huldah ( Kidder) Smith, was born in Topsham, Dec. 11, 1854.
He was early made acquainted with agri- cultural labor, being bred upon his father's farm, and thus gaining an amount of experi- ence that proved largely of benefit in his after life. He gleaned such education as he could in the schools of Topsham, and before he had attained his majority he found his way to Boston. There he went to work first
in a shoe store, then as a butcher, after which he carried on the business of a sale stable for about six years. He then returned to Topsham and his original occupation, devot- ing much attention to the raising of poultry, and also entered to some extent into the butter trade. Soon he purchased a stock of
CHARLES F. SMITH,
groceries and general merchandise, and never omitting favorable chance to buy or sell a horse when opportunity offered, carried on the business of a country mer- chant, and in addition ran the village saw- mill. In the fall of 1892, seeing a better opportunity to realize a competency, he purchased the good-will and stock of the preparation styled the "Green Mountain Liniment and Cough Elixir," and to this he added the well-known Green Mountain Sar- saparilla, with a wholesale drug line. His expectations appear to have been realized, and he is laying the foundation of a widely- extended, reputable and lucrative trade.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.