USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 93
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TRUAX.
advantages, as an only son Mr. Towle felt it his duty to remain at home and follow the occupation of his father. He did not, never- theless, neglect any opportunity for self- improvement, but devoted all his leisure time to profitable reading and also gave much attention to the art of composition. This probably caused him in early life to resolve to become a journalist. In 1870 he found opportunity to exercise his talents as the agricultural editor of the St. Albans Messenger. This he still remains, laboring to the best of his ability to render his efforts successful in the occupation to which he has devoted so large a portion of his life.
February 14, 1856, he was wedded to Caroline E., daughter of Jacob and Mary (Kirby) Truax. From this union have been born two sons : Herman E., and Edwin J.
In 1881 he received the honor of an ap- pointment to the State Board of Agriculture at the hands of Governor Farnham, the duties of which position he discharged most satisfactorily for a period of five years. In addition to the usual work of a member of this body he prepared reports of the meet- ings for the use of the press and of the board. Many years ago he wrote a histori- cal sketch of the town of Franklin for Miss Hemenway's Gazetteer of Vermont, and a similar paper for the History of Franklin County, published in 1891. In 1892 he was the editor of a genealogy of his family, a work which required much time and labor. While in no sense a politician, he has always been a thorough believer in the principles of the Republican party. He has held several positions of trust in the town and also in the Methodist church, of which he has been a faithful and active member for nearly half a century.
TRUAX, ALBERT B., of Montpelier, son of George and Elizabeth (Briggs) Truax, was born in Swanton, Feb. 28, 1835.
His education was limited to the district school, followed by a course of study at Swanton Academy, but by industrious appli- cation he has taken ample advantage of his opportunities and has arrived at a high degree of scholarship.
His father was a blacksmith and he was early initiated into this trade. Albert B., at seventeen, became a member of the M. E. Church under the ministrations of the Rev. Orrin Gregg, of the Troy Conference. For a year he labored as the leader of a young people's class, and soon after was called to preach. He was first licensed to exhort and then permitted to act as a local preacher, which privilege was granted until he entered the travelling connection. He served under Presiding Elder Morris as junior preacher in the Cambridge circuit. He joined the
Troy Conference in the spring of 1858, and two years later was ordained deacon by Bishop Osmon (. Baker, when by a change of boundaries he became a member of the Vermont Conference, in which he was or dained elder by Bishop Baker in 1862. He looks back with grateful remembrance upon thirty five years of effective service in the church, having never enjoyed a vacation of more than two weeks at any time, and losing only five Sabbaths from illness. Serving his fifth year as presiding eller, he has not failed thus far to meet every appointment. The following charges have been entrusted to his care : those of Winooski, Johnson, Under- hill, Bakersfield, Alburgh, West Berkshire,
ALBERT B. TRUAX.
Waterbury, Northfield, Bradford, Brattleboro and Bellows Falls. Having completed a successful six years' term as presiding elder of Montpelier district, he was, in the spring of 1893, appointed pastor at Enosburg Falls.
While stationed at Bradford he served as town superintendent of schools. He has lectured in the state for the past twenty years, particularly on the subject of temper- ance, and has delivered many memorial addresses on Decoration Day. Mr. Truax was formerly a member of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars of the state, in which body he served two years as grand chaplain.
He was married, Feb. 6, 1860, at Winooski, to Sarah D., daughter of Theron and Joseph- ine R. (Kingsbury) Winslow. Their union has been blessed with five children : Wilbur
1., Ada I. (deceased), Josephine E., Car- lotta May, and Albert W.
TRULL, DANIEL N., late of Lyndon, son of Joel and Cynthia N. Trull, was born in Burke, June 12, 1835.
In 1847 the family removed to Lyndon, where he was educated at the academy of that place till 1852, when he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Selim Newell. After the usual course of lectures in Wood- stock and Hanover, he graduated at the Dartmouth Medical College in 1855. He then commenced the practice of medicine in company with Doctor Newell in St. Johns- bury, but owing to too close application to business his health failed, and he was com- pelled to discontinue his chosen profession after two years.
On the 16th of December, 1860, he was married to Cornelia C, daughter of Hon. S. B. Mattocks, and they spent the winter in Virginia for the benefit of the doctor's health. In the spring of 1861 they returned to Lyndon, where the doctor accepted the position of recruiting officer, in raising men for the army.
DANIEL N. TRULL.
From 1864 to 1869 he was engaged in the carriage business. Upon leaving this busi- ness he made several changes of residence, spending another winter in the South hoping to regain his health.
Becoming interested in banking, he was a director of the Lyndon Bank for eight years,
403
TRUSSELL.
and served several terms as its president. In 1890 he removed to St. Johnsbury, where he resided till a few months before his death, which occured Dec. 31, 1892.
Doctor Trull was a well-read physician, and had health permitted, would have be- come eminent in his profession. As a busi- ness man he was sagacious, far-seeing, cau- tious, and prudent ; as a counselor, no man was more frequently consulted by neighbors, to whom he ever gave intelligent considera- tion, helpful suggestions, and useful advice. He was quick to respond to appeals for charity, and always ready to assist the de- serving poor.
TRUSSELL, JACOB, of East Peacham, son of Joshua and Electa (Curtis) Trussell, was born in Sutton, Sept. 20, 1833.
His education was obtained in the schools of Danville, supplemented by instruction at Phillips and Caledonia County academies. After some experience in the profession of teaching, he studied law with Mordecai Hale and Edward Harvey of McIndoes, and for a short time was under the care of Judge Jonathan Ross. In 1860 he was admitted to the Vermont bar and immediately began to practice at Peacham.
When the civil war commenced Mr. Trus- sell patriotically enlisted in Co. D, Ist Vt. Cavalry and served mostly with the Army of the Potomac, participating in many battles, raids and skirmishes. He was severly wounded in Wilson's raids, June 23, 1864, and was soon after discharged as Ist lieutenant. When the Ist Regt. was completely routed at Broad Run, Mosby, the guerrilla, pursued Trussell eight miles to the picket lines and nearly succeeded in capturing him, being very de- sirous to obtain possession of the particularly fine horse which Mr. Trussell bestrode. After the close of the war he made an expedition to Virginia City, Mont., driving fifteen hun- dred miles across the plains. He then turned his steps to Sioux City, Iowa, taking charge of a gang of men who were completing the railroad to Omaha ; he then engaged as con- tractor on the Union Pacific R. R. till it was completed to Ogden, Utah, when he returned to Peacham and bought a large farm on which he remained fourteen years. In 1882 he returned to the practice of law at Dan- ville and ten years later became engaged in trade at South Peacham.
A Democrat until the breaking out of the war he is now a strong Republican. Repre- sented his town in the Legislature of 1884 where he served on the military committee.
He attends and supports the Congrega- tional church, and is a member of Passump- sic Lodge, F. & A. M., of St. Johnsbury, and Stevens Post, G. A. R.
TUCKER.
Mr. Trussell was united in wedlock Oct. 4, 1871, to Flora M. Blanchard of Peacham, who died August 16, 1886, leaving two sons : Nathaniel B., and William. He married for his second wife, Nov. 9, 1888, Mrs. Marietta C. Walbridge, widow of Augustus J. Walbridge.
TUCKER, MELVIN ELLIS, of Hardwick, son of Amasa and Diancy (Ellis) Tucker, was born in Calais, April 27, 1849.
He availed himself of the educational ad- vantages offered by the schools of Calais and Hardwick, followed by one term at the Ver- mont Methodist Seminary at Montpelier. As his mother died when he was a mere lad, he was entrusted to the care of Stephen M. Richardson of Hardwick, with whom he re- mained till he was eighteen and after this period he was wholly dependent on his own
MELVIN ELLIS TUCKER.
resources. He first served an apprentice- ship at the trade of a carpenter and mill- wright, but in 1873 commenced as a dealer in lumber at Eden Mills. Two years later he removed to Hardwick, where he operated a saw mill in connection with a farm. Mr. Tucker has been interested in seven mills devoted to the manufacture of lumber and has a financial interest in several others. He is now busily engaged in the manufact- ure of lumber from lands he owns in Eden and Lowell. His remarkable success is due to his untiring industry and energetic spirit, for he has had to rely on his own unaided
It ENIR.
efforts without the assistance of friends or capital.
He was married, Nov. 12, 1870, to Lizzie 1. , daughter of Marsin and Sally Smith of ( alais. They have had six children : Mary 11. ( Mrs. W. S. Bunker of Hardwick ), Alice B., Jona R., Vena E., Florence S. (died in infiney ), and Earl Bartlett.
Mr. Tucker has been too busy a man to take much active interest in political move- ments, but has been called to the offices of selectinan and assistant judge of Caledonia county, the duties of which he carefully and conscientiously discharged. In 1890 he represented the town of Hardwick in the Legislature, where the course he pursued was satisfactory to his Republican constit- uents.
Judge Tucker has taken the obligations both of Odd Fellowship and Free Masonry, is treasurer of Caspian Lake Lodge, No. 87, of the latter body, and a member of Lamoille lodge, No. 21, 1. O. O. F. He is a Methodist in his religious preferences.
TURNER, EDWIN R., of North Con- cord, son of Henry and Charity (Washburn) Turner, was born in Concord, July 22, 1826. His father came to Concord in 1810 and settled on the farm where his son was born. Here he remained for sixty years, dying at the age of eighty-nine.
Edwin received his education in the pub- lic schools of his native place and then set- tled on the homestead, where he remained till he was forty-two, caring for his aged parents till their death. He then removed to Waterford, where he resided for two years, but at the end of that time returned to North Concord, where he purchased a fine meadow farm, which he has operated with great success, carrying an excellent stock of cattle, and enjoying the reputation of being one of the best farm managers in his county. By his intelligent assiduity he has amassed a handsome competence, and is a fine speci- men of the sturdy New England yeoman.
A Republican in his political creed, he has held many important town offices, and has served two terms, from 1884 to 1888, as assistant judge of Essex county court, and has been county road commissioner four years, from 1888 to 1892.
Judge Turner is regarded as a prudent, careful and judicious adviser in all matters relating to finance and the affairs of the town.
E. R. Turner was united in marriage at Concord, Dec. 3, 1852, to Jane, daughter of Farewell and Mary (Nichols) Hutchinson of Waterford. Three children have blessed their union : Frank H., Irvin, and Ina D.
IUTILE.
FUTTLE, ALBERT HENRY, of Rutland, son of George A. and Susan J. (Cutter) Tuttle, was born in Granville, N. Y., May 25, 1838.
Ile is a direct descendant of William Tuttle, who came from England to Boston in 1635, soon after becoming a prominent settler of New Haven, Conn.
The education of Mr. Tuttle was received in the public and high schools of Rutland, and in 1854 he began the business of life as a clerk in the service of his father, who was the owner and proprietor of the Rutland Herald. Here he remained till he received
ALBERT HENRY TUTTLE.
an appointment from President Abraham Lincoln in the New York naval office in 1861, where he filled various responsible positions until he resigned in 1864 on ac- count of his father's ill-health.
On his return to Rutland he became one of the proprietors of the Herald, taking active control of the paper, in connection with which were operated a book store, and a book-publishing, binding and job printing establishment for the next ten years. In 1873 he abandoned these employments and took sole charge of the daily and weekly Herald.
He was appointed postmaster by Presi- dent Grant in 1874, and reappointed 1878, and was continued in office by President Arthur, but was suspended in 1885, one year before his commission expired, by Presi- dent Cleveland to make way for a Demo-
405
TYLER.
TYLER.
crat, having been the longest incumbent of any postmaster in Rutland.
Mr. Tuttle possesses an unusual degree of executive ability, and always familiarizes himself thoroughly with every detail of any business which he undertakes. In 1887 he sold the Herald to Mr. P. W. Clement, but for several years remained its business man- ager. Subsequently, in company with his son, he purchased the Bates House, a prom- inent hotel in the city, which he still retains. He was largely influential in the construc- tion of the Rutland Street Railway, and for several years was its treasurer. He has been president of the village of Rutland, was a member of the board of village trustees at the time of his appointment as post- master, compelling his resignation as trustee ; has been a director of the Clement Bank, and a member and clerk of the village school board.
He was married in October, 1858, to Emma M., daughter of David G. and Eme- line S. (Cluff) McClure, of Rutland. Two children have blessed their union : Cora A. (Mrs. Frank A. Barnaby of Brooklyn, de- ceased Feb. 1, 1889), and George D. (de- ·ceased).
Mr. Tuttle belongs to all the Masonic orders, having taken every degree from entered-apprentice to the thirty-second inclu- sive ; is treasurer of the Rutland Royal Arcanum Council ; treasurer of Protection Lodge, Knights of Honor ; treasurer of the Royal Society of Good Fellows, and a mem- ber of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Rutland Congregational Church. He has been much interested in the Vermont Press Association, having served as president and chairman of the executive committee. He has ever been an enthusiastic worker in the Republican party, giving his services to the town or county committee ever since his re- turn from New York to the present time. For fifteen years he has been a member of the First district Republican committee in which he has filled the office of secretary, treasurer and chairman.
TYLER, ERASTUS, of Vernon, son of Erastus and Harriet (Johnson) Tyler, was born in Windham, July 4, 1832.
Mr. Tyler's educational advantages were limited to the public schools, and he has always followed the occupation of a farmer in his native town.
He is a strong Republican in his political preference and has held several important official positions, having been elected chair- man of the board of selectmen for the years 1880, 1881, and 1882. In 1886 he was called upon to represent the town in the Legislature, and for the last four years has
discharged the duties of a member of the board of listers.
He was united in marriage at Brattleboro, Nov. 10, 1858, to Martha A., daughter of Edward A. and Julia ( Butterfield) Graves. Their union has been blessed with nine children : Anna R., George E., Charles H., Julia H., Edward A. (now proprietor of the Brooks House at Brattleboro), Bert L., Will- iam J., F. Leslie, and John C.
TYLER, JAMES M., of Brattleboro, son of Ephraim and Mary ( Bissell) Tyler, was born in Wilmington, April 27, 1835.
He received his education in the district schools of Guilford, to which town his parents moved in 1840, and at Brattleboro Academy ; studied law, and was admitted to the Windham county bar at the September term, 1860. He then returned to Wilming- ton and began the practice of his profession in partnership with Gen. S. P. Flagg, which connection continued until December, 1864, when he removed to Brattleboro, forming a partnership with the late Hon. C. K. Field, which terminated with the latter's death in 1880.
In 1863-'64 and at the special session of 1865 Mr. Tyler represented the town of Wilmington in the General Assembly and in 1867-'68 was state's attorney for Windham county. He represented the Second District of Vermont in the sessions of the Forty- sixth and Forty-seventh Congresses, where he served on several important committees. His most notable speeches were delivered upon bills relative to the apportionment of representatives in Congress, internal reve- nue, the tariff, education in the South, and Chinese immigration.
In 1887 he was chosen chairman of the board of commissioners to revise the school laws of the state, but resigned to accept from Governor Ormsbee the appointment of judge of the Supreme Court, which position he still holds by successive elections by the Legislature.
Judge Tyler has been promoted from time to time until he is now third assistant judge. His work upon the bench has fully demon- strated his excellent qualifications for this high and honorable position.
He was married Dec. 11, 1861, to Ellen E., daughter of William F. and Sophia (Plummer) Richardson, who died Jan. 1, 1871. He was again married, Sept. 1, 1875, to Jane P., daughter of Solomon P. and Sarah E. (Appleton) Miles, of which union there was one son : Appleton, who died in infancy.
Judge Tyler was for many years vice-presi- dent and trustee of the Vermont Savings Bank of Brattleboro, but resigned when he received his appointment to the bench. He
V.M.ENTINI ..
has been a trustee of the Vermont Retreat for the In due since 1875, and for several vous a member of the board of trustees of the Books Hilary.
In politics he has always been a Republi can; michgion he is a Congregationalist.
BYTER, ROYALE, of Brattleboro, son of Chief Justice Royall and Mary ( Palmer) Iyler, was born in Brattleboro, April 19,
ROYALL TYLER.
He was fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Exeter, and entered Harvard as a sophomore in 1831. He graduated in
1834, and immediately began the study of law in the office of Charles C. Loring, a very prominent lawyer on Court street, Boston. Mr. Tyler was admitted to the bar in 1837, and in the following spring returned to Brat- tleboro. He was admitted to the bar of Windham county on a certificate from the Massachusetts courts in 1840. Within a year afterwards he entered the office of Asa Keyes, the firm being known as Keyes & Tyler. Shortly after this, Mr. Tyler went to Newfane to attend to the business of Charles K. Field during his absence in the West. On the latter's return a year later, Mr. Tyler resumed his practice in Brattleboro. In the meantime he had been elected state's attor- ney, a position which he ably filled for two ycars, though he still devoted himself to his private practice. In 1846, having then served as register for the two previous years, he was appointed judge of the probate court for the district of Marlboro. He was elected county clerk in 1851, when he dis- continued his practice of the law. The office of county clerk since 1851, and that of judge of probate since 1846, Judge Tyler has conscientiously and ably filled to the present time. He has also represented his town in the Legislature. He has, while clerk, regularly attended every session of the county and supreme courts in Windham county since 185 1.
In 1841 he married Laura B., daughter of Asa and Sarah B. Keyes, and they have had three children, one of whom died in infancy. The elder daughter (Mrs. Allan D. Brown) died 1877, while the younger is Mrs. G. W. Platt, of Great Barrington, Mass.
Judge Tyler is a gentleman of the old school, and if there are any gentlemen of a school better than the old school, he is one of them.
Judge Tyler is a prominent member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church.
VALENTINE, A. B., of Bennington, son of Joel and Judith (Wells) Valentine, was born in Bennington, April 1, 1830. He is descended from Richard Valentine, who was one of the original proprietors of Hemp- stead, L. I., where he settled in 1647.
The educational training of Mr. Valentine was received in the Bennington common schools, Union Academy and at Suffield, Conn. When he had arrived at man's estate he commenced business with his father under the firm name of Joel Valentine & Son, but later attracted by the gold fields of California, he emigrated, in 1852, to the Pacific coast where for two years he was engaged in mining and trade. Then he re-
turned to Bennington where he established a grist-mill in the building formerly occupied by his father.
In 1856 he was united to Alma L., daugh- ter of Luther W. and Cynthia (Pratt) Park. Five children are issue of this marriage : May (Mrs. A. B. Perkins of Bennington, deceased), Park (deceased), Jennie A., Wells V., and Lilian.
July 31, 1862, Mr. Valentine received a commission as lieutenant and quartermas- ter of the 10th Regt. Vt. Vols., and two years later he was promoted to the rank of captain and commissary of subsistence and was assigned to duty in the old Ist Vermont Brigade. He also received a commission
ABValentine
4 M.INJINI.
as brevet major given for mentorions ser
On leaving the service of his country Major Valentine returned to his native town where he purchased his father's property and converted it into a knitting mill. This enterprise met with success and though the mill was destroyed by fire, it was soon re- built, and the business reorganized and in- corporated under the name of the Valentine Knitting Co.
He was actively engaged in the establish- ment of the graded schools in Bennington village and in the erection of the fine school building of which Bennington is so justly proud. He took a prominent part in the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the battle of Bennington, being chief mar- shal on that occasion, and was actively in- terested in the Bennington Battle Monu. ment Association and in the construction of the monument itself. It was largely through his efforts that the Soldiers' 'Home was established in Bennington, and in G. A. R. circles he is well known, having been depart- ment commander of that organization for two years (in 1882 and 1883).
Though politics as such possessed no great temptation for Major Valentine, in 1886 he was prevailed upon to represent his county as one its state senators. In the session of that year he was identified with many im- portant measures in connection with the Soldiers' Home and the amendment of the laws relating to the National Guard of Ver- mont, which latter legislation resulted in great benefit to that body. As he had been especially active in educational legislation, he was appointed by Governor Ormsbee one of the committee of three to select text books to be used in the schools of the state and to contract for the purchase of the same. Subsequently he was selected by Governor Dillingham to fill the position of commis- sioner of agriculture and manufacturing in- terests of the state. Major Valentine was a member of the Republican national conven- tion in 1884, was one of the original incor- porators and directors of the Bennington County Savings Bank and is now president of that institution. He was for many years president of the board of trustees of the Bennington graded schools, and was a char- ter member of the Vermont Commandery of the Loyal Legion. He is now ( 1894) presi- dent of the Vermont Officers Reunion So- ciety. His knit goods manufactory is the largest in the state, and its reputation is second to none in the country.
In his religious belief he is an agnostic, though he attends and supports the Congre- gational church, contributing liberally to religious and charitable enterprises. Major Valentine has traveled much, is liberal in his
VEAZEY.
ideas, proud of his village, and above all things desirous of its prosperity, being ever ready to unite with his neighbors in adding his influence to any scheme which tends to the improvement of his native town.
VEAZEY, WHEELOCK GRAVES, of Rut- land, son of Jonathan and Annie (Stevens) Veazey, was born in Brentwood, N. H., Dec. 5, 1835. Brentwood was the home of his ancestors back through many generations.
He received his early scholastic education at Phillips ( Exeter) Academy, matriculated at Dartmouth College and graduated there- from in the class of 1859. Having selected the practice of law for the future labor of his life he studied in law offices and in the law school at Albany, N. Y., and graduated there in 1860. He began practice in Spring- field in November, 1860, and was admitted to the Vermont bar at the next December term of the Windsor county court.
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