USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 92
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As a Republican he represented his town in the General Assembly of 1892, was a mem- ber of the committee on railroads, and has been town treasurer since 1885, and for six years past has been chairman of the Repub- lican town committee.
TEWKSBURY, AMOS BRADFORD, of West Randolph, son of Amos W., and Annis (Campbell) Tewksbury, was born in New Boston, N. H., April 11, 1832. His father removed to West Randolph from New Bos- ton in 1854. He was widely known as a re- liable business man and acted in the official capacity of town clerk and treasurer. He engaged in general trade and soon possessed the deserved confidence and patronage of a wide circle in his neighborhood. During the twenty-eight years which he passed in West Randolph as a merchant and manu- facturer the town progressed in development with great rapidity, and Mr. Tewksbury con- tributed his full share to its welfare. He died at West Randolph, August 16, 1883, with a high reputation for liberality and strict in- tegrity.
The son inherited his father's practical and sterling qualities, and after receiving his education in the common schools of New Boston and the Merrimac Normal School he entered the firm with which his father had been connected, and his business experience has developed a keen insight, a judgment both ready and reliable, and an ability to at-
THAYER.
tend to all petty and various details in his transactions which is rarely equalled among business men.
The trade of A. W. Tewksbury & Sons is one of the most extensive in the state. They have extensive sawmills and manufacture large quantities of lumber. In addition they have a door, sash and blind factory, besides an establishment for making adjustable win- dow screens.
Mr. Tewksbury has deservedly been in- trusted with many official positions, and in 1882 he was chosen representative of the town of Randolph ; but he has best served the interests of the place by therein con- ducting a large and profitable business on liberal principles.
He was united in marriage, July 19, 1864, to Anna M., daughter of Abner and Hannah Dodge. Of this marriage there are two chil- dren : George D. (deceased), and Edward W.
THAYER, LEWIS PAIGE, of West Randolph, son of W. H. H. and Sarah A. (Lewis) Thayer, was born in Barnard, Oct. 23, 1851.
In his earlier years he pursued his studies at the academy at West Randolph, and the Randolph Normal School. Resolving to devote his life to journalism, he commenced to study the practical part of his profession in the office of the Green Mountain Herald, then owned by the Rev. E. Gerry. Having mastered the printer's trade and obtained some knowledge of editorial duties, he purchased the paper, and from a list of 275 subscribers worked up a circulation of 4000. In 1879 he moved to Montpelier where he commenced the publication of the Vermont Farmer, and after about two years sold the journal to Mr. George H. Richmond, having made the paper a success. He then returned to the Herald, but has not confined his at- tention to this sheet alone, having been associated with the Northfield News, Bur- lington Clipper, and other papers.
Mr. Thayer is at present the chairman of the executive committee of Vt. Press Associa- tion. He has never desired, sought for, or held political office.
He was united in marriage, August 29, 1879, at Yankton, Dakota, to Alice MI., daughter of A. A. and Betsey A. Smith. Two children have been born to them : Maurine, and Harrison Smith.
THOMAS, HORACE, of Salisbury, son of Isaac and Matilda (Hubbard) Thomas, was born in Salisbury, August 15, 18og. Mr. Thomas is a member of a family of old New England stock, which was one of the first to find its way into Vermont.
He took advantage of the scanty course of instruction afforded by the neighboring
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schools, and when he came of age, acceded to his father's wish that he remain at home and assist him in the labors of the farm. At his father's death, he purchased the interest of the other heirs, and still remains on the old Thomas homestead.
Ile married, Dec. 3, 1835, Anna B., daughter of William and Eunice Wainwright, of Salisbury. Of this union there were five sons and one danghter : William W. (who died at Middlebury in 1879), Willard 11. (who died at Salisbury in 1887), Walter J. (a veteran of the war), Robert B., Delia A. (Mrs. Frederick Emerson, of Adamsville, Mich. ), and Edson H.
Mr. Thomas has always been identified with the Republican party, and is an active promoter of the interests of his native town, where he is universally honored and respect- ed. For thirty-four years he has been town treasurer, and has enjoyed many successive terms as selectman. He was chosen as rep- resentative to the Legislature 'at its first biennial session in 1870. He has been for many years an active and influential mem- ber of the Congregational church at Salis- bury village, and has long served as a trus- tee of that society.
THOMAS, STEPHEN, of Montpelier, son of John and Rebecca ( Batchellor ) Thomas, and grandson of Joseph and Hannah (Vick- ery) Thomas, was born in Bethel, Dec. 6, 1809. His grandfather Joseph served in the Revolutionary war, and was a lieutenant in a New Hampshire regiment in the Saratoga campaign, and his father John was a soldier in the 31st Regt., U. S. Inft., in the war of 1812, and died from exposure in service at Plattsburgh.
Stephen was but four when his father died, and his widowed mother's circumstances were such that he had to go to work when a mere boy. He went to district school in Thetford, and at eighteen was apprenticed to a woolen manufacturer, and followed his trade in Thetford, Strafford and West Fair- lee. He started manufacturing for himself at Hartland, but was burned out and went to work in Thetford, and finally settled in West Fairlee. Here he did a good deal of sheriff business, and also pension business, and was soon the leading man of affairs in town.
He represented West Fairlee in the House in 1838, 1839, 1845, 1846, 1860 and 1861, and was a state senator from Orange county in 1848 and 1849. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Conventions of 1843 and 1850 ; register of probate for the district of Bradford from 1842 to 1846, and judge of probate for that district from 1847 to 1849. Judge Thomas was active in politics, and an earnest Democrat till the rebellion began. He was an alternate to the Democratic na-
tional convention of 1848, and a delegate to the next three conventions, those of 1852, 1856, and 1860. At the sessions of the convention of 1860, at Charleston, S. C., and Baltimore, he became convinced of the set design of southern Democrats to break the Union if they could not control it. He was the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant- Governor in 1860, and earnestly advocated the election of Douglas,
At the special session called by Governor Fairbanks at the outbreak of the rebellion in April, 1861, the greatest sum proposed to be raised for war purposes was half a million dollars, but Judge Thomas urged with energy that it be a million-and his fiery zeal carried the appropriation which he well knew would be needed.
STEPHEN THOMAS.
November 12, 1861, he was made colonel of the 8th Vermont, which regiment he raised and led to the South, remaining its colonel till Jan. 12, 1865. Feb. 1, 1865, he was com- missioned brigadier-general of volunteers, and served as such till August 24, 1865. He was elected Lieutenant-Governor in 1867 and 1868, and under commission from Pres- ident Grant was pension agent for Vermont, with headquarters at Montpelier, from 1870 to 1877. He is now president of the U. S. Clothes Pin Co. of Montpelier, which does a large jobbing business in lumber and house find- ings, and not only extends its clothes-pin trade over the whole country, but does a large export business. The corporation now
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THOMPSON.
employs fifteen hands. He is also president of the North Haverhill Granite Co.
General Thomas served with distinction in the department of the Gulf till 1864, when his regiment was ordered North, and in the summer of that year put under Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. His services at the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek were of the highest order. He was commended in general orders for ser- vices at Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864, when he charged with the 8th Vermont and 12th Connecticut, under his command on his own responsibility. It is not unjust to other brave officers to tell the truth, that at all soldiers' reunions the applause always gets to its highest when General Thomas appears. He was the idol of the common soldier, and the veterans seem to add year by year to their enthusiasm for the bluff-sometimes gruff and always brave-old general.
General Thomas married Ann Peabody of Reading, who died at West Fairlee, Jan. 8, 1877. They had two children : Hartopp of Junction City, Wis., and Amanda T., widow of Luther Newcomb, who was many years county clerk at Montpelier.
General Thomas has, since the death of his wife, made his home at Montpelier with his daughter, Mrs. Newcomb. He has held the highest places of honor in the gift of the various veteran associations in the state, the camp of the Sons of Veterans at the capital is "Stephen Thomas Camp," and so the sons, like the fathers, regard him as the type of the American citizen soldier-exemplar by descent of those who in battle founded and defended, and in person of those who in battle preserved, the great Republic.
THOMPSON, LAFORREST HOLMAN, of Irasburgh, son of Levi S. and Irene (Hodg- kins) Thompson, was born in Bakersfield, Jan. 6, 1848.
His father moved from Bakersfield to Cambridge about 1855, remained there one year and then moved to Potton, Canada, where Laforrest's mother died. The boy worked on the farm until 1865, having scant schooling but reading and studying much for himself. From 1865 he studied at the grammar school ( now the Normal school) at Johnson, and at Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, N. H., and taught school himself. In 1869, he was fitted for college but his health was not such as to permit him to enter. He taught instead at Craftsbury and Irasburgh, and studied law mostly by him- self.
In March, 1871, he was admitted to the Orleans county bar and at once began prac- tice at Irasburgh. He has always been an indefatigable worker and he soon fought his way to the front rank of his profession. In
1874, he was elected state's attorney and from 1876 to 1881, when his law practice. demanded his whole time and caused him to resign, he was judge of probate.
In 1880 and 1882, Judge Thompson rep- resented Irasburgh and was, the latter year, chairman of the judiciary committee of the House. In 1884 he was a senator from Orleans county and president pro tempore of the Senate.
In 1890 Judge Thompson again repre- sented Irasburgh in the House, and was again chairman of its judiciary committee. At the session of 1890 he was elected sixth assistant judge of the Supreme Court, which office he now fills.
His election brought to judicial service at once the ardent student, and the man of affairs giving the right reason for the right decision.
Mr. Thompson married, August 24, 1869, Mary Eliza, daughter of Hon. A. P. Dutton of Craftsbury, who bore him four children. Mrs. Thompson died March 29, 1881, and Judge Thompson afterwards married Harriet C. Kinney, by whom he also has children.
THOMPSON, SUMNER SHAW, late of Lyndonville, son of Jacob and Esther (Shaw) Thompson, was born in Halifax, Mass., April 12, 1823. He was a descendant of Lieut. John Thompson, who married a daughter of Francis Cooke, one of the Mayflower pil- grims.
His education was obtained in the public schools at Plympton, Mass., and at the age of nineteen he received a contract from his brother to build a part of the New Bedford & Taunton railway, and for forty-seven years until his death he devoted himself to rail- road construction. He was concerned in building the Vermont & Canada, Central Vermont, New Hampshire Northern, Atlantic & St. Lawrence, New London Northern, Boston, Concord & Montreal, Newport & Southeastern, Passumpsic, Frankfort (Mich.) & Southeastern, Montreal, Portland & Bos- ton, Woodstock, Somerset, Saratoga & Sack- ett's Harbor, and several railways now incor- porated with the Old Colony & Southeastern system.
At the time of his death he was president of the Frankfort & Southeastern R. R. in Michigan, a director of the Connecticut & Passumpsic, and vice-president of the Mont- pelier & Wells River R. R., of which latter he was appointed receiver, managing the property so ably that it increased in value while in his hands. He was also a director in the Lyndonville Savings Bank, and the First National Bank of St. Johnsbury, of which latter corporation he was also vice- president. He was director of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and one of the
THOMPSON.
founders of the St. Johnsbury Republican. .He also presided over the board of trustees of the Lyndon Classical Institute, to which he was a most generons contributor.
He was staunchly Republican in his polit ical views, representing Lyndon in 1866 and 1867 in the House, in which he did efficient service on several important committees. In 1876, and again in 1878, he was chosen a senator from Caledonia county, and in 1886 was made a presidential elector.
While residing in Massachusetts he became a member of the Mayflower Lodge, I. O. (). F., and was affiliated with the Christian Bap- tist church.
Mr. Thompson was imited in marriage, April 10, 1847, to Harriet Stark, daughter of America and Mary (Chandler) Wiley of Fryeburg, Me. Two children were born to
SUMNER SHAW THOMPSON.
them : Ella E. (wife of Hon. Samuel W. McCall of Winchester, Mass.), and Hattie W. (Mrs. Charles S. LeBourveau, Jr., of Lyndonville ).
Mr. Thompson died at Frankfort, Mich., Oct. 24, 1889.
He was an excellent example of a self- made man, and though deprived of a colleg- iate education, he early learned its value and took great pleasure in aiding young men without means in the pursuit of their studies, and also in donating large sums of money to institutions of learning. Unlike many men who have been forced to make their own way in the world, he was very generous and char-
TIFFANY.
itable, never neglecting any appeal for assistance which came from a worthy per- son. His benefactions were ever unobtrus- ively offered and quietly bestowed without ostentatious display.
TIFFANY, ELL, of Bennington, son of John and Elizabeth ( Marsden) Tiffany, was born in Horbury, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, Nov. 9, 1830.
Hle attended such schools as were provided at that time for factory operatives till he was fourteen years old. He then worked in woolen mills till the spring of 1851, when he emigrated to this country, making his abode at Waterbury, Conn., to operate new machin- ery for the Waterbury Knitting Co. In 1856 he removed to Meriden, Conn., where he remained two years employed in a similar capacity by the firm of Powell & Parker. He next visited Glastonbury, Conn., where he invented an automatic rib knitting machine for which he received a patent May 1, 1860. In 1858, previous to the issuing of the above patents, he moved to Thompsonville, Conn., and there connected himself with George Cooper in the manufacturing of the above mentioned machinery, then in 1866 he re- moved to Cohoes, N. Y., and formed a co- partnership under the title of William Wood & Co., for the purpose of producing knit cuff and drawer bottoms for the knitting mills in general. Finally in 1870 he removed to Bennington, where the firm of Tiffany & Cooper was formed for the purpose of building rib knitting machinery, and an ex- tensive business in this line was built up. In 1874 his original patents were extended and in 1880 he started a new industry with his brothers, which was independent from the firm of Tiffany & Cooper, the arti- cles produced by the concern of Tiffany Bros. being knit underwear, the quality of which has built them up a very flourishing and prosperous business. During the early part of 1886 the firm of Tiffany & Cooper was dissolved. Mr. Tiffany purchasing the interest of his partner for whom he substi- tuted his son Frank M., and continued the bus- iness under the firm of E. Tiffany & Son until 1890, when Louis L. was admitted to the firm making it E. Tiffany & Sons, which are now conducting a very large and pros- perous business in the line of rib knitting machinery, and have not only thoroughly in- troduced these machines in the United States and Canada, but have also sent several to South America within the past few months.
Mr. Tiffany possesses a special talent for the invention of knitting machines, no less than fifteen different patents having been issued to him for different devices in this article. During the last year he has made some of the most valuable and important im-
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provements, especially in circular machines, for which applications for patents are now pending.
In 1888 he purchased an interest in the Columbian Navigation and Commercial Co., of which he is vice-president, and which is conducting a very successful business in trading, carrying freight and passengers along the coast and up the rivers of the United States of Colombia, S. A.
He is a public-spirited man, always giv- ing liberally to any cause which he con- siders worthy, and which will tend to help his fellowmen ; this has secured for him the respect of the community in which he lives.
ELI TIFFANY.
Some twenty years ago Mr. Tintany visited his old home in England, spending several months roaming about the country in which he spent his boyhood days, visiting his old friends and enjoying himself in general. Then during the summer of 1893 he made quite an extended trip, visiting his old home once more, then sailing via the West India Islands, visiting Carthagena of the United States of Colombia, where his busi- ness called him, and returning once more to his adopted and beloved home in America.
He was united in marriage, August, 1863, to Phoebe E., daughter of James and Ann (Glover) Cooper, of Thompsonville, Conn., who died April 29, 1893, leaving three chil- dren : Frank M., Louis L., and William J.
Though holding to the principles of the Republican party, Mr. Tiffany has never
TINKER.
sought political preferment. For the past ten years he has been a trustee of the Ben- nington graded school.
TINKER, CHARLES FRANCIS ORSAMUS, of St. Johnsbury, son of Francis and R. Elizabeth (Hutchinson) Tinker, was born in Ashby, Mass., June 23, 1849.
The days of his schooling were spent in Leominister, Mass., and at the age of seven- teen he removed with his parents to South Dedham, now Norwood, in that state. He entered the drug store of his father where he remained until 1870 when he became a stu- dent in the medical department of Harvard University, completing the course in 1873. Intending to engage in the practice of dent- istry, he was employed in the office of E. D. Gaylord, Boston, for two years, then after a short interval in Norwood, he took up his residence in Johnstown, N. Y., where he practiced his profession for four years. While in that place he became a member of the Fourth District Dental Society of New York. Returning to his native state he still pursued
CHARLES FRANCIS ORSAMUS TINKER.
the practice of his profession in Boston and Norwood, but in 1885 came to Vermont and settled in St. Johnsbury where he still re- mains. During his residence in this state he has been made a member of the Vermont State Dental Society.
In political faith he is a Republican. He joined Apollo Lodge, No. 2, Knights of Pythias, as a charter member. In this or- ganization he has been actively interested
FOLMAN.
and exceedingly prominent, having been elected to the positions of Prelate, Chancel lor, Commander, and Sir Knight Captain. This last office he resigned in order to accept the position of colonel and aid de-camp on the personal staff of Gen. James R. Caran- ham, who commands the uniformed ranks of the Knights of Pythias of the world. When the Grand Lodge of K. of P. was embodied, in 1889, he served two successive terms as Grand Chancellor of the state, at the expir- ation of which he was chosen Supreme Rep- resentative to the Supreme Lodge for four years.
Mr. Tinker is affiliated with the North Congregational Church of St. Johnsbury, and a member of the Mystic Club of that place.
He was united in marriage, July 14, 1870, to Ann Eliza, daughter of Albert and Martha W. (Swain) Wellington, of Ashby, Mass. This union has been blessed with three chil- dren : Orra Gertrude (deceased at the age of seven), Wellington Hutchinson, and Earnest Francis.
TITUS, EDWARD, of Wilmington, son of Alonzo and Mary ( Miller) Titus, was born in Wilmington, Oct. 25, 1833, and he has always resided in his native town.
EDWARD TITUS.
He received his early education in the public schools and completed a regular course of study at the Wilmington high school. He taught a number of terms with marked success.
Mr. Titus married Carrie Bills, adopted daughter of David and Harriet ( Palmeter) Bills, May 1, 1859. Of this union there was one child : Frank Edward, born Sept. 4, 1864, who for a number of years has carried on a successful business in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Soon after marriage Mr. Titus engaged in the mamifacture of varions articles of wooden ware, which occupation he successfully fol- lowed for over twenty-five years. Since 1869 he has been justice of the peace and for the greater part of this time the principal trial justice. Many important and difficult cases have been heard before him, but his decis- ions have invariably been fair and correct, being rendered in strict accord with the law as understood and with the facts of the case. In addition he has held nearly every town office in the gift of his townsmen, discharg- ing the duties thereof with sernpulous fidel- ity. In December, 1891, he was elected member of the board of trustees of the Wil- mington Savings Bank and constitutes a member of the finance committee. Recog- nizing his competency and superior ability in the consideration of legal questions and his integrity of character as a man, he was elected assistant judge of the Windham county court in 1892, the duties of which honorable position he discharges with credit to himself and to the perfect satisfaction of the public.
Mr. Titus is a true and loyal Vermonter, a self-made man, an upright, active and en- terprising citizen. He has ever been iden- tified with public improvements and enter- prises and deservedly enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him.
TOLMAN, HENRY STANLEY, of Greens- boro, son of Enoch and Abigail (Cook) Tolman, was born at Greensboro, Sept. 1, 1825. His grandfather (Thomas Tolman), an officer in the Revolutionary army, was one of the early settlers of that town, and was appointed first town clerk and assistant secretary of state.
Mr. Henry Tolman was a pupil of the public schools of Greensboro and Peacham Academy. At his father's death, which oc- curred just before the son arrived at major- ity, he took charge of the homestead, to the care of which in addition to several other farms he has devoted the efforts of his life, making a specialty of dairy products and raising horses and sheep. He has a half in- terest in the lumber firm of Tolman, Simp- son & Co., has been a director and stock- holder in the St. Johnsbury & Lake Cham- plain R. R., and president of the Caledonia National Bank at Danville.
He has served on the town and county Republican committee, was for twenty years selectman, and held numerous other official
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position in the town which he represented for three terms in the state Legislature in 1866, 1867 and 1888 ; he was elected senator from Orleans county in 1874, and during the war discharged the duties of recruiting offi- cer, also drawing the money due to soldiers' wives.
For forty years he has been a consistent member of the Congregational church, serv- ing on the executive committee.
Mr. Tolman married Martha A., daughter of J. C. and Clara ( Livermore) Jackson of Greensboro, who died May 11, 1862, leav- ing one son : Alpha E. He was married a second time to Fannie P. Waterman Eaton, daughter of Arunah and Mehittible (Dodge) Waterman, who departed this life March 5, 1890. By his second wife Mr. Tolman had one daughter : Martha A.
TOWLE, EDWIN RUTHVEN, of Franklin, son of Jonathan and Lorena (Daines) Towle, was born in Franklin, August 1, 1833. His grandfather, Reuben, after honorable service in the war of the Revolution, came to this part of the state, accompanied by his son, from New Hampshire, when Franklin county was as yet comparatively a wilderness, and here engaged in the occupation of a farmer.
EDWIN RUTHVEN TOWLE.
The education of Edwin R. was obtained in the district schools, and he was a student at the Franklin Academy when that institu- tion was under the charge of Hon. Roswell Farnham, afterwards Governor of the state. Although anxious for greater educational
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