USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 95
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Receiving the customary education of the public schools, and afterwards pursuing his studies at Bakersfield Academy, Mr. Walker, at the age of twenty, enlisted as a private in Co. D, Ist Vt. Cavalry, sharing in all the numerous engagements in which his regi- ment took part. Constantly on duty, except six weeks when he was confined by sickness in the hospital, he was thrice wounded, but not severely, received a promotion to the grade of sergeant, and was honorably dis- charged from the service June 21, 1865.
After his return from the war, being gifted with considerable mechanical ingenuity, Mr. Walker was employed for several years as a carpenter and joiner, but his principal occu- pation has been that of an agriculturist, his chief attention having been given to the dairy and the maple orchard. He has held many of the offices of the town, was lister, selectman, justice and school director and was appointed postmaster under President Grant, which office he held until his resig- nation in 1892. The same year he received the honor of an election to the Legislature as a Republican, serving on the committee on agriculture.
He joined and has been the commander of Post 10, G. A. R., of Cambridge. Mr. Walker is a modest man of solid worth, who possesses the respect and confidence of his neighbors. His sterling qualities of char- acter have often called him to act as admin- istrator and agent in the settlement of estates.
He was united in marriage, April 16, 1867, to Kate M., daughter of Josiah and Mary (Stone) Converse, of Bakersfield.
WALKER, FRANKLIN WILLIAM, of Ben- son, son of Rufus and Susannah (Raymond) Walker, was born in Sudbury, June 23, 1812.
WALKER.
In 1817 his parents removed to Benson, where most of his life has been spent. His early educational advantages were limited to the district school, but being possessed with a love for study and a strong resolution to have all there was for him, he devoted him- self to the improvement of his mind by study and reading in his leisure moments while employed as a clerk in his brother's store, in Benson, between the years of fourteen and twenty-one. When he arrived at his majority his enterprising spirit led him to try the perils and adventures of an unbroken wilder- ness in the then territory of Michigan. He bought land of the government in Lenawee county in the present town of Morenci, built a log hut and cleared away the surrounding forest, and took long journeys through the thickly-wooded country in company with other young men of like adventurous spirit, undaunted by cold or fatigue, the experiences
FRANKLIN WILLIAM WALKER.
of which tended to make him a man of nerve and courage. Mr. Walker returned East in 1836, and feeling the need of a better educa- tion before entering upon business for life determined to spend some time at school in Castleton. After this he formed a partner- ship with- his brother, a merchant in Benson, which was dissolved in 1846, after which he continued as sole proprietor till 1871.
He is one of the oldest residents of the town, esteemed and respected by all. He enjoyed to such an extent the confidence of the community that he was sent to the
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House of Representatives in 1857 and 1858. He was a staunch Democrat until the ques- tion of slavery was agitated when he joined the Republican ranks, and has since remained a loyal supporter of their principles. In 1843 he was appointed trustee of the U. S. deposit money and since that time has been honored with many official positions of re- sponsibility, and is the present town treasurer (1894) and has been justice of the peace over forty years.
He is one of the seven members who es- tablished the M. E. Church in Benson in 1838, and is still a loyal member of the same.
At St. Louis, Mo., June 3, 1861, Mr. Walker was married to Elvira A., daughter of Albert G. and Margaret ( Honsinger ) Sherman of Benson, then a teacher in Lindenwood Fe- male College, St. Charles, Mo. Three chil- dren have been born to them: William Franklin (now cashier of the First National Bank of Fair Haven), Susie Sherman (wife of Dr. C. A. Belden of Torrington, Conn.), and Rufus Raymon (merchant in Benson).
WALKER, WILLIAM HARRIS, of Lud- low, son of Ephraim and Lydia (Harris) Walker, was born in Windham, Feb. 2, 1832.
His parents removed to Londonderry in 1838, where he received his primary educa- tion in the district schools of the town. He fitted for college at Leland and Gray Semi- nary and Black River Academy, and in 1858 graduated from Middlebury College. While pursuing his studies he was elected as- sistant secretary of the Vermont Senate in the year 1857. In order to secure the necessary funds to complete his collegiate course he was allowed by the faculty of the college to teach in a grammar school in Orleans, Mass., and served one term as principal of the West River Seminary at South Londonderry. Soon after his graduation he was appointed principal of the academy at Little Falls, N. Y., where he remained for two years, during which time he entered his name as a student at law in the office of the Hon. Arphaxed Loomis. In 1860, resigning his position as instructor and removing to Ludlow, he finished his studies with Hon. F. C. Robbins, was admit- ted to the bar of Windsor county at the December term, 1861, and immediately opened an office at Ludlow, where he re- mained in practice until he was chosen an assistant judge of the Supreme Court by the Legislature in 1884.
Judge Walker represented the town of Ludlow in the Legislatures of 1865 and 1866, and 1884, serving on several important com- mittees, and as chairman of the judiciary com- mittee in 1884. In 1867 and 1868 he was elected a senator from Windsor county, serving on the judiciary and other commit-
tees. He ably filled the position of state's attorney for Windsor county for two suc- cessive terms. In 1878 he was appointed by Governor Fairbanks a commissioner to make examination of the insane asylum, being associated with Dr. Goldsmith of Rut- land, and Dr. Fassett of St. Albans, and was a supervisor of the insane for two years end- ing December, 1880.
WILLIAM HARRIS WALKER.
The integrity, ability, and judicial fairness of Judge Walker have often caused his ap- pointment as referee in cases pending in the courts of several counties in the state. In 1878 he was elected judge of probate, dis- charging the duties of that office to the sat- isfaction of the people. He was a judge of the Supreme Court from 1884 until Septem- ber, 1887, when he was obliged to resign on account of impaired health. He has always been a strong Republican in his political views, and cast his first presidential ballot for General Fremont.
He is one of the trustees of Middlebury College, and president of Black River Acad- emy. In this last he has taken an active interest, and was largely influential in the construction of a new building in 1888, at a cost of nearly $16,000.
In 1862 Judge Walker entered the patriot army and was elected captain in the 16th Regt. of the Vt. Vols., but was obliged to resign this honorable position on account of a severe attack of typhoid fever. For a quarter of a century he has belonged to the Masonic order.
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In 1850 Judge Walker was united to Miss Ann Ehza, daughter of Dr. Ardamn G and Ruth ( Pettigrew) Taylor, of Ludlow. One son has been bont to them : Frank Ardain.
W'A1.1. AC.1:, JAMES B., of Concord, son of Hiram and Lavinia ( Pike) Wallace, was born m Concord, Det. 12, 1838.
He remained on the old homestead with his father, who was a respected farmer, until he arrived at his majority, and received such education as the schools of Concord and the Essex county grammar school could afford.
JAMES B. WALLACE.
At the age of twenty-four he was united in marriage to Mary, daughter of James and Jane D. (Hudson) Kenyon, by whom he had the following children : Jennie ( Mrs. Free- man Hutchinson), Hiram J., and Willie.
After his marriage he was extensively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, purchasing a large estate in 1864. Soon afterwards exten- sive copper mining operations were com- menced on a farm in the neighborhood and Mr. Wallace was engaged as manager of the property and the boarding house thereon. In this business he remained for fifteen years, and was then engaged by R. B. Graves to superintend his large farm in the town. When this property was sold to Mr. L. D. Hazen, and in connection an extensive lum- ber business was started, Mr. Wallace was still retained as superintendent of the estab- lishment.
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In 1880 Mr. Wallace was elected trial jus- tice of peace, a position which he filled ered- itably until his election to the judgeship. In 1888 he was elected an assistant judge of lessex county court and two years later re- ceived a similar compliment.
Ilis genial face and rotund figure were familiar in the Essex county Republican con- ventions of which he was a constant and prominent member for twenty years.
Judge Wallace has held the usual town offices, was for ten years chairman of the board of trustees of the Essex county gram- mar school and has always manifested a marked interest in all educational affairs. He is now county anditor and has often been called upon to act as guardian and to assist in the settlement of various estates. He is well and favorably known in the county, where he enjoys the reputation of a cordial and hospitable host, extending a hearty wel- come to all who visit him.
For about twenty years he has been an active member of Moose River Lodge, F. & A. M.
WARD, HIRAM OWEN, of Moretown, son of Earl W. and Elizabeth (Munson) Ward, was born in South Duxbury, Jan. 10, 1842.
HIRAM OWEN WARD.
His education was obtained first in the common schools of Duxbury and Barre Academy, while later he took a course at Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeep- sie, N. Y.
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His early labor on his father's farm proved a severe but wholesome training, and fitted him well for the duties of his after life. In 1878 he sold the farm which he had inher- ited, and moved nearer Waterbury, where he purchased a sawmill and box factory. Sell- ing his boxes at cash prices, he took his pay in musical instruments, deriving a large profit in these transactions. In 1889 he came to Moretown, where his business has constantly expanded till he is now a large proprietor of plants for the manufacture of clapboards, boxes and shingles, as well as a grist mill and a grocery store.
Mr. Ward married, June, 1866, May A., daughter of Harrison and Caroline (Canar- dy) Smith. Three children have been issue of the union : Clinton H., Burton S., and Clair W.
Mr. Ward has held many offices both in Duxbury and Moretown, and has represented each place in the state Legislature, in which he served on the committee on claims. In business matters he is esteemed both shrewd and prudent, is a genial companion and a public-spirited and intelligent citizen.
WARDWELL, GEORGE JEFFORDS, of Rutland, son of Joseph H. and Lydia (Howard) Wardwell, was born in Rumford, Me., Sept. 24, 1827. Mr. Wardwell traces his descent from a family that settled in Salem in the old colonial days. One of the family was executed during the witchcraft delusion in that place, and another was an officer in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary war.
Mr. Wardwell's somewhat limited educa- tion was received from the public and private schools of Rumford, Me., and a short course of study at Bridgeton academy. At the age of thirteen he was apprenticed to his cousin, who was a general mechanic, and he com- menced his career by the manufacture of sleighs in Rumford and vicinity. Later he moved to Lowell, Mass., where he was engaged in constructing looms. He then, in partnership with his brother, took a contract to build forty of these articles, but the broth- ers had the misfortue to lose their shop and its contents by fire. Still they fulfilled their agreement, and after fitting up a small shop in Hanover, Me., they were employed in the manufacture of sleighs, and sashes and doors for the California market. Here they met with more than one disaster, and in 1852 the partnership was dissolved. After carrying on the business for some time alone, Mr. Wardwell moved to Andover, Me., where he occupied himself in the various vocations of inn-keeper, postmaster, and manufacturer of furniture. Always posses- sing great mechanical skill, in 1854 he
WARDWELL.
invented and received a patent for the first pegging machine for making boots and shoes, but unfortunately he did not reap the results of his skill, owing to the dishonesty of his partner.
After a short sojourn in Hatley, Can., he removed to Moe's River, again forming a partnership for the manufacture of furniture and sleighs, then changed the scene of his labors to Coaticook, P. Q., where he worked at his trade and gave much attention to his various inventions, the principal one of which was a stone channelling machine, for which he secured a patent in 1859. The first one was placed in Sutherland Falls quarry in 1861, where it worked successfully, but owing to the depressed financial condition at that time, he was compelled to give up the development of the machine and continued working at his trade in Canada until 1863, when he obtained a new patent on an im- proved machine which accomplished the work of fifteen laborers, cut a channel from three to four feet deep, and was employed in the Sutherland Falls quarry for seventeen years. As he was still unable to reap any practical result from his discovery, he con- tinued for some time with the company con- structing stone-boats. Soon after he received a contract on somewhat unreasonable terms to build several of these machines for various parties, and subsequently was enabled to dis- pose of his patent to the Steam Stone Cutter Co., receiving $1,500 in cash and $33,520 in the stock of the corporation, of which he was made superintendent. One of the machines was exhibited at the Paris exposition in 1867 and was sold in France. The same year he parted with his foreign patents to the Steam Stone Cutter Co., for over $17,000 in stock. At this time several parties con- structed machines in direct violation of his patent, the validity of which after a tedious litigation was established, and injunctions were issued against the sale and use of the illicit machines. The invention has proved itself of immense practical value, and from calculations made up to 1886, it has been proved that over $7,000,000 have been saved to the stone producers in the working of their quarries. As a testimonial of its worth Mr. Wardwell received a gold medal from the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Associa- tion in 1865 ; and its value was recognized by the presentation of a silver medal from the Paris exposition, in 1867 ; he afterwards received a similar recognition from the Cen- tennial exhibition at Philadelphia. In 1874 he invented and patented two different forms of valveless steam engines, which also received medals at Philadelphia. At present he is the largest stockholder in the Steam Stone Cutter Co., at Rutland, having taken out
Gro. J. Wandwell
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twenty-five patents for the channelling and other machines in this country and Europe.
October 4, 1850, Mr. Wardwell was united in marriage to Margaret, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Dickey) Moore of Hatley, Canada, who departed this life Nov. 10, 1883. She left issue four children, two of whom alone survive : Lizzie Olina (Mrs. Thomas Mound of Rutland), and George Alvin. August 22, 1888, Mr. Wardwell es- poused his second wife, Kittie C. E., daugh- ter of Hiram W. and Mary M. ( Huntoon) Lincoln of Danby. To them one child has been born : Charles Howard.
For nearly thirty years Mr. Wardwell has been a hard and laborious student, a fact to which his large library amply testifies, mak- ing a specialty of chemistry and geology. He possesses a very large collection of spec- imens relating to the latter science, and a well fitted, practical laboratory. He has made several visits to Europe for the pur- pose of studying the geological formation of the country, especially with reference to quarries. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a past eminent commander of Knights Templar, and belonging to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. For more than twenty years he has been affiliated with the American and British Association for the Advancement of Science. He is an adherent of the Demo- cratic party ; has filled various official posi- tions of trust in Rutland ; is the vice-presi- dent of the board of trade in that city, and one of the committee of fifteen who framed its charter. He is also a director of the Merchants' National Bank of Rutland, and at the present time president of the board of school commissioners of the city of Rutland.
Mr. Wardwell is liberal in his religious views, and has been a generous supporter of the Universalist church. He is eminently a self-made man and possesses great inventive genius, having fully overcome the defects of his early education by a long course of ardu- ous study and able and successful efforts for self-improvement.
WARREN, CHARLES CARLETON, of Waterbury, son of Charles W. and Julia (Perry) Warren, was born in Hartland, Feb. 11, 1843.
He was educated in the schools of the place of his nativity and at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H. In 1862, at the age of nineteen, he joined the band attached to the Ist Brigade Vt. Vols., with which he remained till they were discharged from ser- vice. After his return from the war he was for some time employed in a tannery be- longing to his father, but in 1868 he leased a large establishment in Waterbury which he subsequently purchased and where he has
WATERMAN.
since conducted an extensive and constantly increasing business, making a specialty of manufacturing harness leather. In 1887 Mr. Warren extended his operations by the pur- chase of a large farm, which he successfully devoted in great measure to dairy products. This he afterwards sold to the state as a site for the new asylum for the insane at Water- bury village. He holds strong Republican views, and in 1890 was appointed a member of the board of fish commissions that estab- lished the first fish hatchery in the state. Though hampered at first by insufficient appropriations and other obstacles, the board, owing largely to the persevering efforts of Mr. Warren, has finally met with great success.
CHARLES CARLETON WARREN.
He was united in marriage Dec. 15, 1873, to Ella F., daughter of Jerry and Florella (Broadwick ) McElmore of Middlesex. Two children have been born to them: Kate Grace, and Charles Carleton, Jr.
Mr. Warren is a member of Edwin Dillingham Post, G. A. R., of Waterbury, and has also taken the obligations of the Masonic order, uniting with Vermont Lodge, No. 18, of Windsor.
WATERMAN, ELEAZER L., of Brattle- boro, son of Chandler and Polly J. Water- man, was born in Jamaica, July 25, 1839.
He was educated in the common schools, and at Leland Seminary, and, adopting the legal profession, studied law with Butler & Wheeler, and was admitted to the bar of
WATSON.
Windham county at the September term, 80%, He commenced practice in Wil mington, hom which town he was sent as representative to the General Assembly in 1867 and 1868, Four years later he was made state's attorney for Windham county, and in 1876 was elected a state senator from Windham county, and was chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, In 1870 he moved to Jamaica, and afterwards to Brattle- boro, still continuing his professional labors, and is now the senior partner of the law firm of Waterman, Martin & Hlitt. In 1891 he was appointed special U. S. attorney to ap- pear for the government in claims originat ing from the late war of the rebellion.
Mr. Waterman was united in marriage, May 15, 1864, to Jennie E., daughter of Aaron and Julia D. Bemis of Windham. By her he had issue three sons and three daughters : Mabel J. (now the wife of Dr. D. l'. Webster of Brattleboro), Halbert L. (now a practicing physician at Fitzwilliam, N. H. ), Hugh A. (now of New York), Ernest J., Ethel 1 .. , and Alice M.
WATERMAN, HEMAN A., of Johnson, son of Thomas and Eleanor ( Dodge) Water- man, was born in Johnson, Nov. 3, 1830. His family is of mixed Welsh and Scotch descent. Araunah Waterman (grandfather) came to Johnson in the first year of the cen- tury, purchasing 1,200 acres of land where the village now stands, paying 4,000 Spanish silver dollars for the property. About two hun- dred acres of that purchase is now owned by Heman A. He served in the Revolutionary war, was an intimate associate of the Chitten- dens, and for many years represented John- son in the General Assembly. Thomas, who was a captain in the militia that served at the battle of Plattsburg, erected the first hotel in the village and was its genial host for forty years. Politically a Henry Clay whig, he was also a member of the Legislature several years and a judge in Franklin county court before Lamoille county was organized.
His youngest son, Heman A., received the customary education of the common schools of Johnson and afterwards attended the La- moille county grammar school. For forty years he has been a prominent farmer and real estate operator. He has also been a practical surveyor, has acted as trustee and referee, and has been largely identified with the business interests of the place.
A stalwart Republican, he has repeatedly held every office in the gift of his townsmen. He was a member of the Legislature from Johnson in 1878 where he served as chair- man of the general committee. For several years he performed the duties of United States assistant assessor and deputy collec- tor. From his various official positions he
has acquired and maintained a large acquaint- ance with the public men of the state.
For nearly forty years he has been a Free Mason, was a charter member and for several
HEMAN A. WATERMAN.
years was the first Worshipful Master of Waterman Lodge, named in honor of his father. He also affiliates with Tucker Chap- ter, R. A. M.
Mr. Waterman was married Oct. 9, 1855, to Augusta L., daughter of Stephen and Tir- zah (Lampson) Hoxsie, who were early set- tlers of Milton. Their three children are : Elizabeth (Mrs. W. D. Welch of Johnson), Frank H., and Thomas A.
WATSON, JOHN HENRY, of Bradford, son of Asahel and Adelpha (Jackson) Wat- son, was born in Jamaica, May 12, 1851.
His parents were of limited means and the education which he received in the com- mon schools and academy was freely inter- spersed with active labor on the farm. He commenced his life career by the study of law in the office of Orin Gambell, Esq., of Bradford, where he continued till he was ad- mitted to the Orange county bar in Decem- ber, 1877. He immediately formed a part- nership with his instructor, and after six months' experience, at the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Watson assumed the full control of their varied and important business, which he has ably conducted since that time. He has the control of one of the largest and most lucrative practices in Orange county ..
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He was elected state's attorney of Orange county in 1886, and in 1892 was elected from the county to the state Senate, where he gave his services to the judiciary and general committees, and was chairman of that on military affairs. He is one of the trustees of the Bradford Savings Bank and Trust Co., and also of Bradford Academy. In 1882 he was elected captain of the Brad- ford Guards, and was afterwards promoted to the post of major of the Ist Regt., V. N. G. During the riot at the Ely Copper Mine in 1883, he rendered efficient service in quelling the mob by capturing the powder magazine which was in their possession, re- ceiving much credit for the gallant manner in which he performed this difficult and arduous duty.
JOHN HENRY WATSON.
Mr. Watson married, March 25, 1879, Clara L., daughter of Darwin A. and Laurette L. (Fitts) Hammond, of West Wardsboro ; of this union are two children : John Henry, and Hugh.
WEBB, JOHN W., of Maidstone, son of Azariah and Elizabeth (Weeks) Webb, was born in Lunenburg, Nov. 8, 1814.
He received his education in the schools of Lunenburg, Concord Normal, Lyndon and Lancaster Academies. Employed upon his father's farm until 1840, he made a tour of the West as far as Iowa, participating in the stirring scenes of the log cabin campaign. When he returned he settled on the old
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homestead, a beautiful place, where he has resided for more than half a century. Here in the neighborhood of the pleasant and historic village of Guildhall he has followed the peaceful but prosperous pursuit of agri- culture, respected and honored by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
He was married, Jan. 17, 1850, to Lucre- tia Gates, daughter of Thomas F. and Sally (Duncan) Webb. Five children have been born to them: Charles F., Isabel L. (Mrs. Richard Beattie), George W., Sarah E., and Mary B.
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