USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 89
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Mr. Start married, June 10, 1869, Ellen S. Houghton, daughter of Stillman S. and Sarah E. Houghton. Their children are : S. Gould, Guy H., Mabel S., and Bennett H. Mrs. Start deceased July 12, 1890.
START, SIMEON GOULD, of Bakers- field, son of Moses and Margaret (Gould) Start, was born in Bakersfield, July 28, 1805. Capt. Moses Start emigrated to the state in the latter part of the last century, and was an active and prominent figure in the town.
Simeon G. was one of a large family, and spent his youth in the labors of the farm. His education was obtained in the district schools, but to this he added a wide fund of general information in his maturer years. His early life was devoted to agricultural labor, and a clerkship in a country store, but he soon invested his modest savings in a farm in Bakersfield, where he remained till 1865, when he moved into the village, and until the last few years has been chiefly engaged in the public affairs of the town.
Mr. Start was formerly a Democrat, but acted with the Republican party during the war, and since 1872 has been an inde- pendent in his political views. Honorably discharging the duties of many town offices, he has been the principal trial justice of the place for more than a quarter of a century. He represented his town in the Legislature of 1872, and was ever considered a man of marked and original personality.
He married, Oct. 2, 1833, Mary Sophia, daughter of Comfort and Sophia (Corse) Barnes. Of this marriage there were born : Rolla N., Ozro G. (assistant judge of Frank- lin county court), Charles N. (formerly at-
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torney general of Minnesota, and now judge of district court at Rochester, Minn.), Lorenzo B., Merritt 1 .. , Henry R. (judge of the Supreme Court of Vt.), and Ella S. (de-
SIMEON GOULD START.
ceased ). Mrs. Start died April 22, 1862, and he married Mrs. Betsey Perkins, April 10, 1865.
STEARNS, CHARLES H., of Johnson, son of Otis W. and Mary S. (Carpenter) Stearns, was born in Johnson, Feb. 7, 1854.
After preliminary instruction at the com- mon schools he received the balance of his education at the Normal School at Johnson and the Vermont M. E. Seminary at Mont- pelier. His father was a manufacturer of butter tubs and an inventor, and the son spent much of his boyhood and youth in his father's shop, where he became acquainted with every detail of the business and had en- tire charge of the establishment before he arrived at man's estate. In 1875 O. W. Stearns & Son built the mill now owned by the latter at Johnson. The senior partner in the firm possessed considerable inventive genius and has devised and applied nearly all of the machinery now used by them, especially a contrivance for smoothing the outside surface of the staves lengthwise with the grain, thereby avoiding the use of sand- paper and giving a finer and more delicate finish, also a labor-saving device for splitting- and rossing blocks. Since 1888 Mr. C. H. Stearns has been sole proprietor of the con-
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cern, and now runs a large lumber business in connection with the factory, getting out about 1,000,000 feet of lumber annually. The company manufactured 7,000 tubs during their first year's experience and in 1892 had the satisfaciton of turning out the enormous total of 320,000. Five-pound butter boxes and packing crates are extensively manu- factured and sold. In 1890 Mr. Stearns, in company with his cousin, Mr. M. L. Stearns, erected an extensive plant at Lyndonville for the manufacture of butter tubs and lumber, shipping the stock for this factory from their mill in Canada. In addition to these different
CHARLES H. STEARNS.
branches of the lumber trade Mr. Stearns is also extensively interested in granite, owning and operating a quarry and cutting sheds at Hardwick, employing in all these different lines of business from seventy-five to one hundred men.
He was married Dec. 28, 1876, to Viola A., daughter of Jessie A. and Rebecca (Mc- Laren) Hall of Johnson. They have one child : C. Arthur.
Mr. Stearns has been chairman of the Re- publican Lamoille county committee for the last four years and has also served on that of the town. He was seven years town treas- urer and was in 1886 elected to the Legisla- ture in which he was a valuable member of the general committee. He is a director of the Union Savings Bank and Trust Co. of Morrisville, and, for a man of his age, is widely known in business and political circles.
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He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since he was twenty-one years old, has filled all the chairs of the lodge, and in 1892 was elected G. J. D. of the Grand Lodge of Vermont. He also claims member- ship in the I. O. O. F.
STEARNS, JOHN C., of Bradford, son of John and Elizabeth (Chandler) Stearns, was born in Chelsea, Feb. 11, 1831.
His education was received in the com- mon schools and Bradford Academy, and he commenced his business career as a clerk in a general store in Bradford. For six years he was a member of the firm of Brooks & Stearns, which was engaged in trade in Wor- cester, Mass., in which place he became a member of the Massachusetts militia, and on his return to Vermont enlisted in the Brad- ford Guards, in which latter organization he was promoted to the position of lieutenant. At the breaking out of the civil war he en- listed as a private in Co. D, was promoted
JOHN C. STEARNS.
to the rank of sergeant-major of the ist Vt. Vols., and at the expiration of their term of service was appointed Ist Lieut. and adjutant in the 9th Regt., but was compelled to re- sign, June 30, 1863, on account of disability. During his active service he was a member of the staff of General Trimble of Ohio, and participated in engagements at Cloud Mills, Winchester, Suffolk, and Harper's Ferry, at which last place he became a pris- oner upon the surrender of his regiment
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with others under General Miles, and after being paroled was sent to Chicago, Ill., where he did guard duty till May, 1863.
Atter his return hom the war be employed hnusch in the general insurance business and farming, in which occupation he has continued to the present time.
W. Stearns was a whig, and has been a Republican since the formation of the latter party. He was appointed U. S. Assessor of Internal Revenue of the Second District of Vermont by President Grant, and U. S. Collector of Internal Revenue for the state by President Garfield, June, 1881, in which office he continued till July, 1885. Six years subsequently he was selected by Hon. Red- field Proctor, Secretary of War, as a commis- sioner to mark the lines of battle of the Army of the Potomac, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, and the position of the U. S. Regulars at the battle of Antietam, in con- nection with the Confederate General Harry Heth of Virginia, and he is now engaged in that work. In 1867 he was appointed colo- nel and aid-de-camp on the staff of Gov. John B. Page, and he also held the position of ist Lieut. and adjutant of the ist Regt. V. N. G. Colonel Stearns represented Brad- ford in the House of Representatives in 1886, and served in 1878 as a senator from Orange county. He was appointed delegate to the national Republican conventions held at Chicago that nominated U. S. Grant and Benjamin Harrison. He was one of the original trustees of the Vermont Soldier's Home, and in 1890 was elected its treasurer.
He is a member of the Vermont Com- mandery of the Loyal Legion, of Washburn Post, G. A. R., and Charity Lodge, F. & A. M.
Colonel Stearns married, Sept. 12, 1863, Martha F., daughter of John Barron and Martha (Tilton) Pecket, of Bradford.
STEVENS, ALONZO JACKSON, of Winooski, son of Alonzo and Susan (Sin- clair) Stevens, was born in Essex, April 1, 1828.
He was educated in the schools of Essex, and after reaching his majority engaged in the occupation of carpenter and joiner. In 1855 he came to Winooski, and there was employed as a millwright by the firm of Edwards & White. Soon after the death of the junior partner, Mr. White, the shops were destroyed by fire, and in 1858 the land on which they had been erected was pur- chased by A. B. Edwards in conjunction with Mr. Stevens, and under the designation of Ed- wards & Stevens, these two gentlemen built up an extensive business. The firm remained unchanged until 1868, when Mr. Frank Jubell was admitted to the concern. Under the title of Edwards, Stevens & Co., they largely manufacture mill-gearing and shaft-
ing, iron and brass castings and wood work- ing machinery.
In 1858, Mr. Stevens was married to Mary J., daughter of Hiram and Mary (Shelden ) Rood of Colchester. Of this union there are issue : Mary Ella, Charles 11., and Hattie M.
Ile was a charter member of the Winooski Savings Bank, and has been a director of the institution since its organization.
In his political views Mr. Stevens is thoroughly Republican, and has several times been elected one of the selectmen of Colchester. He represented that town in the Legislature in 1869 and 1870, and was elected a senator from Chittenden county in 1886. The esteem and confidence in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen has been manifested by the many positions of trust and confidence to which he has been called.
STEVENS, CHARLES, of Maidstone, son of Charles and Emiline ( Batchelder) Stevens, was born in Maidstone, Jan. 18, 1842.
CHARLES STEVENS.
His father a farmer and stock raiser. At the age of twenty-one he left his home, arriving in Boston, Mass., with two dollars. He first found employment as foreman on a farm at Chestnut Hill, then was engaged as foreman on the water works there for four years. After this he started for the West where he visited Omaha and Kansas City ; from thence he made his way to Memphis on a flat boat and then on foot to Jefferson
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in Texas. Here he was employed as sub- contractor on a railroad, but his health fail- ing he removed to Duvals Bluff where he was occupied in bridge building until he was compelled to return to his native town by a severe attack of malaria. After his re- covery he made New York the scene of his labors, building a section of the Harlem railroad. He next took up his abode in Boston where he was engaged in the con- struction of sewers. In 1879 he went to Colorado and giving his attention to milling and mining operations he purchased prop- erty of the latter description and also con- structed a large mill. For two years he continued and then departed to explore the country three hundred miles west of Roseita in Gunnison county where he discovered and started nine mines. In 1884 he re- turned to the farm which he had purchased in Maidstone, and has been occupied since in improving this property.
Democratic in political faith, he has been selectman several times, is now justice of the peace, and represented the town in 1890-'91.
He was wedded, March 30, 1876, to Sarah A., daughter of William M. and Ruth M. (Jordan) Perkins.
STEVENS, CHARLES PHELPS, of Troy, son of Charles Deming and Murilla (Cob) Stevens, was born at Huntington, July 9, 1836.
The history of his life is a record of one of the most successful self-made business men in Vermont. Receiving only the scant edu- cation to be obtained in the district schools of Duxbury, yet possessing abundant health and indomitable courage, this boy, who was brought up in a saw mill, has now become one of the largest manufacturers of lumber in the state. Brought up to the carpen- ter's trade, in his early youth he secured his first financial start in the construction of dwelling houses by contract. From the profits which he saved he purchased a lot of timber land and in 1862, by the advice of the late Leander Hutchins, president of the Waterbury Bank, who furnished the neces- sary capital, he invested largely in property of the same nature in Duxbury. This ven- ture was very successful, so much so that in 1862 he became proprietor of a lumber mill in Duxbury, which he operated till 1866, at which time he built another in Bolton, Can., still retaining the management of the first for two years. This property he sold in 1868, substituting another in Jay devoted to the same business. He now made Troy his place of residence, and from their first erection operated all his mills night and day till 1870, when he parted with those in Jay and Bolton, entering into partnership with D. H. Buck of Troy, with whom he
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commenced a general merchandise business and in connection with this constructed a clapboard mill at Phelps Falls in Troy, Mr. Buck retaining the management of the store, and Mr. Stevens of the mill. C. P. Stevens and D. H. Buck then formed a copartner- ship under the name of C. P. Stevens & Co.
They afterwards erected at the Falls a large saw mill and the first factory for the manufacture of veneer in Orleans county, if not in Vermont, which, however, was soon transformed into a large feed and flour mill. In 1876 they constructed extensive mills in Richford, around which a village has grown up, known as Stevens' Mills. He is a partner in very many enterprises of this description, and a very extensive
CHARLES PHELPS STEVENS.
owner of timber-bearing real estate in Bolton and Jay, beside having a financial interest in several manufacturing concerns. He also possesses three farms in Troy con- taining as fine tillage land as can be found in the Missisquoi valley, which under his scientific management clearly proved that farming can be made to pay in the Green Mountain state. It may be easily imagined that Mr. Stevens has not had much time to devote to public affairs, although soon after he arrived at man's estate he was appointed justice of the peace, his commission being signed by the late Gov. Paul Dillingham. In 1882 he represented Troy in the Legislature, serving on the committees of railways and manufactures. Six years later he was chosen
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to the Senate from Orleans county, giving valuable aid to the committees on rules, manufactures and railways, also the joint standing committee on game and fisheries, while he was actively influential in passing the $25,000 appropriation for the Soldiers' Home. In the Senate as in private life his unusual capacity for affairs was recognized.
In his political preferences he has always been an ardent and loyal Republican.
Mr. Stevens has been twice married. Ile first wedded, February, 1862, Francis M., daughter of Truman Morse, who departed this life after their nion had lasted ten years, and in 1873 he married Annette C., danghter of Eli Sherman, by whom he has two chil- dren : Lena, and Charles Sherman.
Mr. Stevens is liberal in his religious creed, but has always attended and supported the Congregational church in Troy, of which society for twenty years he has been the trustee.
STEVENS, JONAS T., of Hyde Park, son of Amasa and Martha (Smith) Stevens, was born in Eden, June 3, 1842.
His father, Amasa, was a long-time resi- dent of Eden, was prominently connected with public affairs, and for a considerable period was associate judge of the county court.
Jonas T. Stevens obtained his education in the common school, and for a time gave his services to neighboring farmers, being also employed in mills in the vicinity of his birthplace. Acquiring a small but well- earned capital, he invested it in a saw mill, when his business plans were suddenly in- terrupted by the breaking out of the civil war. He was too good a patriot to remain behind, when so many of his countrymen were thronging to the field, and abandoning his mill he enlisted in Co. I, Ist Vt. Cavalry and participated in nearly seventy engage- ments, in which that gallant corps were engaged. He had three horses shot under him, but escaped unhurt and was only pre- vented by a four weeks' sickness, when he was sent to the hospital, from being always present for duty. He recovered, however, in time to be present in the Winchester fight, where he had the satisfaction of seeing the rebel General Early sent "whirling down " the Shenandoah Valley, and April I, 1863, he had the misfortune to be taken prisoner at the engagement at Broad Run, and sent to Libby Prison, but was fortunately paroled and rejoined his regiment within less than six months, eager and ready for the fray. He was discharged after almost three years service, having been promoted through every grade to Ist Lieut. of his company.
After his gallant service in the army, he returned to the vocation he had deserted at
the commencement of the war, and for twenty three years was engaged in the man- nfacture of lumber at Eden Mills. Since that period he has occupied hinself with farming to some extent, but a large share of his time has been devoted to public affairs.
For eight years he was deputy sheriff and held that office till 1878, when he was elected sheriff of the county, serving two years, and again he discharged the duties of a deputy, till he was re-elected to sheriff in 1892. Ile has been entrusted with various offices, and was elected representative in 1872 and 1874 by Republican votes, doing good service as a member of the committees on general claims and corporations.
Mr. Stevens was united, in 1867, to Emma, daughter of Charles A. and Eunice White of Eden. One son has been born to them : Edson M.
Mr. Stevens is a member and past com- mander of Aaron Keeler Post, No. 91, G. A. R., and has received seven degrees in Free Masonry, affiliating with Mt. Morris Lodge, No. 69, of Eden, and Tucker Chapter, R. A. M., of Morrisville.
STEVENS, JAMES V., of Waterville, son of Valorous and Rebecca K. (Morse) Stevens, was born in Waterville, Jan. 12, 1850.
Commencing his education at the common schools, in his twelfth year he served a short time as clerk with William Wilbur, of Water- ville, then returned to his studies and con- tinued them till he was seventeen. At that age he entered the employment of Mr. E. H. Shattuck, with whom he remained seven years, when he was admitted as partner having an equal interest in the business. He re- mained in the concern five years, until 1880, when he left Waterville and engaged in busi- ness in Boston, but soon returned to his native place, which since has been his resi- dence.
Mr. Stevens is attached to the principles of the Republican party ; has held all the town offices in the gift of his fellow-citizens and is now town clerk and treasurer as well as trustee of U. S. surplus money.
He is a member of Warner Lodge, No. 50, F. & A. M., and Sterling Lodge, No. 44, I. O. O. F.
He was united in marriage, August 20, 1874, to Ann, daughter of Clark and Mary Jane Wilbur.
STEVENS, THOMAS B., of East Mont- pelier, son of Stephen F. and Rachel (Byrd) Stevens, was born in the town of Monkton, Nov. 28, 1833. In 1790 Clark Stevens, a member of the Society of Friends, came to Vermont from the town of Rochester, Mass. He finally settled on a farm in Montpelier upon which his grandson, Thomas B., now
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resides. Clark Stevens became a Quaker preacher, and to him belongs the honor of organizing the first religious society and erecting the first structure for public worship in Washington county. He was in his youth a soldier in the Revolutionary army and afterwards a sailor. D. P. Thompson wrote of him as "a prince in appearance, but a child in humility," and the memory of no man is more revered. He died Nov. 20, 1853, having lived to the patriarchal age of eighty-nine years, and departed after having reared a family of eight children, of whom one, Stephen F., after pursuing his trade of a
THOMAS B. STEVENS,
cabinet maker at Monkton for a few years, returned to the old homestead in Montpelier and there cared for his parents till their decease. This faithful son was honored and respected by all the community. 827 BIE
Thomas B. Stevens purchased the paternal estate, four miles from the state capitol, and has devoted a useful and contented life to agricultural pursuits, improving the property and adding to it till he now is the fortunate possessor of many of the most fertile acres in Washington county or indeed in the state. Constructing a commodious dwelling house with ample outbuildings, which are models in their appearance and convenience upon a site commanding an extensive view, he has devoted his efforts mainly to dairy farming. He is no unworthy scion of a family which has been known and honored during three
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generations for their industry, frugality, energy and sterling worth.
Such a man must have naturally been selected by his fellows for every official posi- tion he would accept : and besides holding the usual town offices he was elected by the Republicans to represent the town of East Montpelier in the Legislature of 1872.
Mr. Stevens was married in December, 1862, to Jane, daughter of Allen and Lydia (Edgerton) Bliss of Calais, who bore him one daughter : Lenora Rachel.
STEVENS, WILLIAM BLANDING, late of Bradford, was born in Newbury, April 9, 1822. He was the second son of Caleb and Mary (Matthews) Stevens, and received his education from the common schools and academies of the vicinity.
The independent and self-reliant spirit that governed his whole career manifested itself at the early age of ten, when he worked for the neighbors at a shilling a day, or its equivalent.
WILLIAM BLANDING STEVENS.
At fifteen he commenced his business life as a clerk at South Newbury, with James Chadwick, and afterward entered the store of F. & H. Keyes, at Newbury Street, where he continued until he formed a partnership with his brother, at Piermont Crossing, in 1851. Here they developed a profitable trade, and a few years later they removed to the village of Bradford, where the firm has remained, with several changes in the part-
380
nership, until the day of Mr. Stevens' death, March 2, 1893. His business career was upright and honorable, receiving the hearty and frank approval of his patrons and com petitors. A Boston merchant says : " Mr. Stevens I have known for over forty years ; and in all that time I have the pleasantest recollection of his manly and genial presence and strict honor, estimating him as one of the noblest gentlemen and merchants that Vermont has had the honor to produce."
In the many improvements and enterprises of Bradford, Mr. Stevens was always one of the first to be consulted, as he was looked upon as a ready and safe adviser. In the day of Bradford's calamity, when its business centre was swept away by fire, in the spring of 1883, Mr. Stevens proved his faith in the town by the erection of a brick block that still stands as a memento of his confidence and energy. He did much to increase busi- ness in Bradford these later years. The new hotel, the creamery, the grist mill, all owe their success largely to the influence of his liberal spirit and financial support. Every- thing that tended to the prosperity of the town had from Mr. Stevens hearty and sub- stantial aid.
In politics Mr. Stevens was a Republican, and held many town offices. He was a loyal supporter of the North during the war and of the loyal veterans since the struggle.
In religion he was a Congregationalist, and though not a member of the church, he gave its business interests the same practical at- tention that he did his own. He had much to do with the building of the present church structure, and his religious belief was a potent factor in his life.
He married, in 1856, Miss Harriet E., daughter of Austin and Miriam Ladd, of Haverhill, N. H. They had four children, one of whom, Helen Luella, died in infancy. The others are : Carrie (Mrs. Albert W. Porter of New York), and May (Mrs. O. R. Baker of Bradford).
The home of Mr. Stevens was one of the happiest in the village, with all that love and care could give it.
As a citizen Mr. Stevens sought to live peacefully with all men. He was naturally kind of heart. Those that worked with him as partners, and for him as assistants, always found him pleasant, agreeable and indulgent.
Mr. Stevens departed this life March 2, 1893. An old citizen writes of him that he " took an active interest in the prosperity of the village, being liberal in his support of both churches and schools, and rendering it one of the most thriving communities of the state. His sterling virtues and enterprising business habits endeared him to a large circle of friends, and made him one of the foremost citizens of the town."
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STEVENSON, IRVIN, of Lowell, son of Irvin and Eliza ( Fletcher) Stevenson, was born in Lowell, April 5, 1885, and is one of the reliable, substantial young business men in the town. Mr. Stevenson was educated in the Lowell and Westfield public schools and at the Kimball Union Academy, Meri- den, N. IL. He is also a graduate of the National Business College, New Haven, Conn., and taught several terms in the public schools.
Not choosing to be a practical farmer like his father, in the fall of 1885 he went into the mercantile business in Lowell in com- pany with A. A. Aseltine, of Enosburgh Falls. A year and.a half later he became sole proprietor of his present large store, and carries a fine stock of general merchandise.
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