USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 98
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125
He has been a consistent member of the Congregational church in Westfield, was formerly a member of the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston, and was one of the organizers and early presidents of the Or- leans County Musical Association.
WINSLOW, SAMUEL DUTTON, late of Amherst, Mass., son of Peleg and Nancy (Bowles) Winslow, was born in Dummers- ton, April 17, 1832.
WINSLOW.
His parents moved to Townshend ten years later, and he there received the usual educa- tion of the common schools, completing his studies at the establishment which is now styled the Leland and Gray Seminary, of which he was a trustee for twenty-five years. During his vacations, as was then customary for all farm-bred boys, he assisted his father in the management of his property, and in the winter of 1851 taught school in Athens. The following spring he went to Boston, Mass., where he was employed as a clerk in a mercantile establishment for more than three years. He next turned his steps to Califor- nia, where he was an instructor in the public schools, but in the fall of 1858 he returned to Townshend and engaged in general trade, in which he continued for thirty-one years. His health failing him, he sold out his busi- ness in 1891, removing with his family to Amherst, Mass., where he died, Feb. 20, 1893.
SAMUEL DUTTON WINSLOW,
He married, Dec. 6, 1859, Mary E., daughter of David and Betsey (Wood) Wil- lis, of East Alstead, N. H. There were four children born to them, of whom the young- est, Lotie May, alone survives.
Mr. Winslow was quite influential in town and county affairs, but generally avoided offi- cial positions. He was for nearly twenty- one years president of the Windham County Savings Bank, and was very active in pro- moting its interests.
He contributed most liberally both time and money to promote the welfare of the
1
d
C-
d
1
438
W11111 11.11 ..
Congregational church, of which he was a member for thirty years, and in which he served from 1863 to 1891 as deacon, Sunday school superintendent and teacher, doing all in his power to advance its interests and efficiency.
He was a typical New England man of active and energetic character, self-depend- ent, and relying solely upon his efforts. He possessed superior financial ability, was very successful in his business enterprises, and honorably and deservedly amassed consider- able wealth.
WITHERELL, JOHN H., of Bridport, son of James and Susan ( Willis) Witherell, was born in Bridport, July 31, 1841.
JOHN H. WITHERELL.
He received his early education in the schools of Bridport, but supplemented this instruction by an extended course of reading and practical and advantageous study. He has always been engaged in agricultural pur- suits, formerly on the shores of Lake Cham- plain, but later in the village of Bridport, where he has since resided. He has been successful in his efforts and for three years has acted as manager of the Black Hawk stock farm. He makes horses a specialty and has bred already some fine specimens of the Wilkes and Morgan strain.
Though not one who seeks preferment Mr. Witherell has held many town offices, among them those of selectman and justice of the peace. He has always been a constant Re- publican and is held in high repute by his
WOODBURY.
townsmen for his good judgment and hon- esty. In 1880 he was called upon to serve in the Legislature, serving on the standing committee as also on special committees.
Ile was united in marriage at Bridport, Sept. 4, 1875, to Anna D., daughter of Judge Henry and Eliza Sollace. Five children were born to them, four of whom survive : Gertrude S., Kittie E., Herman S., and Georgiana.
For four years Mr. Witherell was Master of the Morning Sun Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M. of Bridport, and he is a Sir Knight of Mount Calvary Commandery of Middlebury.
WOODBURY, URBAN ANDRAIN, of Burlington, son of Albert M. and Lncy L. (Wadleigh ) Woodbury, was born in Acworth, N. H., July 11, 1838. His father was a native of Cavendish, and returned to Ver- mont, after a temporary residence in New Hampshire, when Urban was two years old. The latter was educated in the common schools of Morristown and the People's Academy in Morrisville, and was graduated from the medical department of the Univer- sity of Vermont in 1859.
URBAN ANDRAIN WOODBURY.
The subject of this sketch was one of the first to enlist in the service of his country at the breaking out of the civil war. He be- came a member of Co. H, 2d Regt. Vt. Vols., May 25, 1861 ; was immediately ad- vanced to the grade of sergeant, taken pris- oner two months after his enlistment, at the
439
WOODWORTH.
battle of Bull Run, in which engagement he had the misfortune to lose his right arm ; was paroled Oct. 5, 1861, and discharged from service on account of wounds Oct. 18, 1861. Undaunted by his trying experience, he again sought to defend his country's flag, and Nov. 17, 1862, he was commissioned captain of Co. D, IIth Regt. Vt. Vols. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps June 17, 1863. In March, 1865, after faith- fully discharging the duties of his position, he resigned.
Captain Woodbury was married, Feb. 12, 1860, to Paulina L., second daughter of Ira and Sarah Darling of Elmore. By her he has six children : Charles Lincoln, Minnie Stannard, Gertrude Frances, Edward Philo, Lila Darling, and Mildred Dorothy.
After his return from the war he settled in Burlington, and became general manager of the lumber business of J. R. Booth. His skill as a financier and his power of applica- tion have made this concern a great success. He has also engaged in real estate opera- tions, and for twelve years has been the owner of the Van Ness House property.
Mr. Woodbury is a Republican in his political views. He was elected alderman from the second ward in Burlington in 1881 and '82, and the latter year was made presi- dent of the board. In 1885 and '86 he was chosen mayor of the city, and in 1888 he was made Lieutenant-Governor of the state, serving under the administration of Gover- nor William P. Dillingham. In every posi- tion, both public and private, he has made a most honorable record, and one that justly entitles him to the confidence and respect of all his fellow-citizens to whom he has proved by his past career that he is worthy of all honors they can bestow.
Lieutenant-Governor Woodbury is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity in which he has taken the obligations of the 32d de- gree and of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R., the United States Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Knights of Pythias.
WOODWORTH, ARTHUR WELLING- TON, of Enosburg Falls, son of William S. and Patience S. (Stevens) Woodworth, was born in Berkshire, May 7, 1823.
After receiving his education at the com- mon schools of Enosburg he was instructed by his father in the trade of a carpenter and joiner, at which he worked till he arrived at his majority. Soon after he was employed as an agricultural laborer by Judge Aldis and Lawrence Brainerd of St. Albans. As he was prudent and industrious, on his return to Enosburg he was enabled to invest his well-earned savings in a farm, to which he
WOOLSON.
has given most of his attention up to the present time, making a specialty of dairy- ing. When the railroad reached Enosburg he was elected a director, and purchasing some timber land became heavily interested in the sale of wood and ties to the corpor- ation. He is a joint owner and manager of the Lumber Manufacturing Co., at Sampson- ville.
Mr. Woodworth was married, Nov. 15, 1848, to Adaline T., daughter of Alpheus and Jane ( French) Ladd of Enosburg. One daughter has been born to them : Lin- nie R. (Mrs. Walter P. Phelps).
ARTHUR WELLINGTON WOODWORTH.
He cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay, is an ardent Republican and has filled many responsible positions. Al- ways active in the public affairs of his town and county, he was elected to the Legisla- ture from Enosburg in 1858 and 1859 and in 18So was chosen a senator from Frank- lin county, serving on many important com- mittees.
He was a director of the St. Albans Sav- ings Bank and Trust Co., and is regarded by all as a man of sound judgment and un- doubted integrity, and as one who by his own unaided efforts has been financially suc- cessful and has lent a helping hand to many a fellow-man in need.
WOOLSON, A.MASA, late of Springfield, son of Asa and Ann Woolson, was born in Grafton, August 6, 18II.
110
WOOLSON
WOOSTER.
Recenmg a common school education, Mr. Woolson early displayed remarkable mechanical ability, and from the age of fourteen to thirty-five was engaged at Man- chester and Chester in manufacturing and finishing woolen cloths and inventing and making machinery suitable for this purpose. In 1846 he removed to Springfield, and here became a member of the firm of Davidson & Parks, engaging in the manufacture of cloth finishing machinery. Four years later, upon the death of Mr. Davidson, the con- cern became Parks & Woolson thus con- tinning until 1878, when it was made a stock company. Mr. Woolson invented and patented the most effective shearing machine now in use, with a set of twenty-two revolving
AMASA WOOLSON
blades. In 1888 Mr. Woolson, in connec- tion with others, purchased the stock of the Jones & Lamson Machine Co., of Windsor, moved it to Springfield and commenced the manufacture of machinists' tools of every description, but soon devoted their efforts to turret machinery exclusively, using for this purpose and patenting several valuable appliances invented by James Hartness, superintendent of the works. The company is now erecting factories which, when com- pleted, will double the capacity of the business.
Mr. Woolson never aspired to political pre- ferment, but for nearly forty years was iden- tified with the business and religious life of Springfield. At the time of his death he was
deacon of the Congregational church, presi- dent of the Jones & Lamson Machine Co. and of the First National Bank of Spring- field.
As an inventor he hekdl a high rank, and was awarded seven premimns, consisting of gold, silver and bronze medals, at different fairs in Boston and New York, as well as at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia.
He married, Jan. 15, 1838, Mary J .. , daughter of John Davidson. Their only child, Ilelen M., died in infancy, and her mother departed this life a few months later. He was again nnited to Mary E., daughter of Aaron and Lettice Baker, July 1, 1863. Four children were born to them, two of whom survive : William D., and Charles A.
WOOSTER, JAY, of Whiting, son of Benjamin P. and Hannah (Warner) Woos- ter, was born in Whiting, Oct. 23, 1847.
His educational advantages were confined to the schools of the town and he resolved to devote himself to the honorable occupation of a farmer. He has also speculated largely in live stock, and for several years has been extensively engaged in purchasing beef cat- tle for the general market.
Mr. Wooster is a very strong Republican and an enthusiastic upholder of the national policy of that party. While never seeking office he has had all the public positions thrust upon him, which he cared to accept. For seventeen years he has discharged the duties of constable.
He was married in Whiting, March 31, 1875, to Mary Pond, daughter of Nelson and Jane Remeley. From this union two chil- dren were born : Robert N., and Egbert R.
Mr. Wooster is a typical Vermonter of his class, of powerful frame and of more than average intelligence. His acquaintance is extensive and his friends numerous in the county in which he resides.
He is a Free Mason, affiliating with Simond Lodge, No. 59.
WYMAN, ANDREW A., of. Athens, son of Thomas and Huldah (Gilbert) Wyman, was born in Rockingham, March 12, 1830.
After receiving his early education in the common schools of Rockingham, followed by several terms at the Townshend and Thetford Academies, he taught school in the surrounding towns during the winter and was employed on the homestead in sum- mer. For some time he acted as salesman in the grocery store of his brother at Cam- bridgeport, and afterwards purchased a farm in Athens, removing in 1871 to the old homestead.
Mr. Wyman, at Chester, Oct. 27, 1857, was united to Martha, daughter of John and Martha (Davis) Eastman. One child, Stella
441
WYMAN.
S., was the issue of this alliance. Mrs. Wyman died in October, 1881, and he was again married Nov. 16, 1882, to Abbie A., daughter of Everett P. and Electa Wellman.
He has been prominently identified in the affairs of his town, for a long time served as justice of the peace and selectman, and was elected assistant judge of the county in 1878 and held the office six years. For four sessions (1864, 1865, 1867 and 1872) he represented his town in the Legislature, and in 1874 was elected a state senator from Windham county. All these positions he has filled with credit to himself and universal satisfaction to his constituency. In 1890 Mr. Wyman was appointed upon the board of cattle commissioners by Governor Page, and in 1892 he was elected county com- missioner.
He is a public-spirited man, always mani- festing liberal ideas.
WYMAN, CYRUS WARREN, of Brattle- boro, son of Thomas and Huldah (Gilbert) Wyman, was born in Rockingham, Dec. 18, 1823.
CYRUS WARREN WYMAN.
In the intervals of his labor upon a farm he received his early education in the com- mon schools, and afterwards enjoyed the advantages of instruction in a seminary. In early life he followed the occupation of a merchant in his native town, where he held for six years the position of postmaster. He then moved to Brattleboro, and for a long period continued in trade, until failing health
WYMAN.
compelled him to withdraw from active busi- ness. For sixteen years subsequently he gave his services to the Brattleboro Savings Bank, and for half that time he ably acted as treasurer of that institution.
As religious and temperance principles were strongly inculcated in his early youth, he has always been a strong advocate of total abstinence and prohibition.
He was united in marriage, Jan. 1, 1848, to Charlotte Maria, daughter of James and Elenor Bruce. Of this union there are three children : Emma F. (wife of E. C. Crosby), Helen M. (wife of N. I). Allen), and Annie L.
WYMAN, MARTIN L., of Gaysville, son of Anson and Lydia (Hannaford) Wyman, was born in Poultney, May 3, 1836.
MARTIN L. WYMAN.
His education was obtained in the district schools of Stockbridge and in the public and evening schools of Boston, Mass. At the age of fourteen he commenced to learn the trade of a machinist at Boston, and was for a time in the employment of the Vermont and Massachusetts R. R. He spent five years at Fitchburg working at his trade, and after- ward returned to Boston, where he contin- ued till 1861, when, with Charles E. Moore, he formed a copartnership to engage in the manufacture of all kinds of experimental machinery. He was one of the first to en- gage in the construction of passenger ele- vators for hotels and office buildings, under the patent of the late Otis Tufts. The name
412
HOMING.
of Mr. Wyman often appears as the patentee of many useful inventions, more especially those appertaining to elevators. He retired from active participation in business recent- ly, leaving his son, Charles E., to occupy his place as treasurer and manager of the Moore & Wyman Elevator and Machine Works.
An adherent of the Republican party, he has been selectman, auditor, grand juror, justice of the peace, and trustee of the pub- lie money of the town of Stockbridge, from which he was elected to the Legislature in 1892, being a member of the committee on manufactures.
He married, Feb. 12, 1856, Lydia B., daughter of Emerson and Eliza ( Barrett) Hardy, of Harvard, Mass. Five children have been born to them : Walter E., Charles E., George R., Martin L., and Alice M.
Mr. Wyman is a member of the Massa- chusetts Charitable Mechanics' Association, and has been allied with the Masonic frater- nity for more than thirty years. He is now W. M. of White River Lodge, No. 90, of Bethel, and belongs to Whitney Chapter, R. A. M., Haswell Council, and Mt. Sinai Shrine. He is also a Knight Templar of Mt. Zion Commandery.
YOUNG, JOHN STILLMAN, of Troy, son of John and Sophia (Pike) Young, was born in Jay, March 6, 1845.
His education was received in the public and grammar schools of Jay, Westfield, and Troy, after which he taught several terms of school ; he then entered Bryant & Stratton's Business College, at Burlington, from which he graduated in a shorter time than any pre- ceding pupil. He studied law with his brother-in-law at Derby Line for awhile, but concluding the mercantile business would be more congenial, he went to Boston, and en-
YOUNG.
gaged in book keeping for about two years and in 1871 entered into partnership with L.P. James in a general store in Troy. After being in business one year he sold out to his part- ner and again returned to Boston, where he remained for two years, but on account of ill- health returned to Vermont. After a short connection with the Reed Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Co. in Westfield he purchased, in the fall of 1875, a general mercantile es- tablishment in Troy, which he has operated to the present time. In 1801 his store was consumed by fire, but the following season he erected one of the finest buildings for the purpose of trade in Orleans county. He deals in agricultural implements, furniture and undertakers' supplies, besides carrying a large stock of general merchandise. He has large real estate interests, and owns the old homestead in Jay, upon which he was born and reared.
Mr. Young married, Jan. 25, 1883, Ludelle, daughter of Albert and Dorcas (Angier) Hodsden.
Till 1886 Mr. Young was a Democrat, but since then has been a Republican. He has served the town of Troy in the capacity of selectman, treasurer, clerk, and auditor for many years, and from 1889 to 1893 was the postmaster of Troy, and in 1893 was elected chairman of the board of school directors.
He enlisted at the outbreak of the civil war, but as he was under age and could not obtain his father's consent he remained at home.
He is a member of Masonic Union Lodge, No. 16, of Troy, and in his religious prefer- ences affiliates with the Methodist church.
He possesses rare executive ability, and is one of the most successful business men in Orleans county.
PART III.
BIOGRAPHIES OF SONS OF VERMONT.
ALLBEE, BURTON H., of Springfield, Mass., son of Hiram S. and Biglow Allbee, was born at Andover, Feb. 9, 1866.
BURTON H. ALLBEE.
His early life was spent on the farm and in acquiring his education in the graded schools of Springfield. His journalistic ca- reer began with local work upon various state newspapers and the authorship of tren- chant articles on Vermont and her advan- tages and agriculture. He is said to have been the earliest advocate of a State Bureau of Emigration, and became the proprietor of the Vermont Monthly, devoted to the re- sources and possibilities of the state. Later he founded and disposed of the Teachers' Journal, the only educational journal in the state. From 1889 to 1892 he was occupied in local work and correspondence upon the Springfield (Vt.) Reporter, Bellows Falls Times, Boston Journal, Herald, Globe and
Record, the Springfield ( Mass.) Republican, Manchester Union, and editing the Teachers' Journal. In November, 1891, he began con- tributions to "Stone" of Indianapolis, on the mineral resources of the state, a subject to which he had given considerable attention, and had made an extensive collection of the economic minerals of the state. The result of this work brought him the editorship of "Stone and Milling," which he resigned to assume an editorial chair on the Indianapo- lis Sentinel. After fourteen months' service, ending with the city editorship of the paper, he was called to the city editor's chair on the Springfield (Mass.) Homestead, and also the commercial editorship of the New Eng- land and New York Homesteads and Farm and Home, which position he still occupies.
Mr. Allbee was married Dec. 18, 1889, to Emma, daughter of James H. and Sarah J. Goldsmith of Weathersfield Center. From this union was one child : William Gold- smith.
ABBOTT, GEORGE B., of Brooklyn, N. Y., the present surrogate of Kings county, N. Y., was born at Brookfield, Sept. 27, 1850.
His parents removed to Brooklyn in his youth, and he was prepared for college at the Polytechnic Institute in that city. His academic education was completed at Will- iams College, where he graduated in 1872. He then traveled in Europe, and on his re- turn to New York entered upon the study of law in the office of Abraham R. Lawrence, now on the bench of the Supreme Court in that city, and also studied in the law school of Columbia College, from which institution he received the degree of L. L. B. in 1874. He at once began the active practice of his profession, and in 1881, upon the retirement of the late Henry J. Cullen, Jr., from that office, he was appointed public administrator in Kings county, and received a re-appoint- ment to the same position in 1886.
On February 9, 1889. Mr. Abbott was appointed by Governor Hill to the office of surrogate of Kings county to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Surrogate Abraham
George B. abbott
3
ALFORD.
Lott. At the general election in November of the same year he was elected surrogate for a full term of six years, beginning on Jan. 1, 1890, when his term by appointment expired.
The amount of business done annually in the Kings county surrogate's court and the value of the property administered under its direction make that tribunal the most im- portant probate court in the land, with the single exception of the surrogate's court in New York City. Speaking of Judge Abbott's character as a judicial officer, "The Surro- gate," a monthly journal devoted to subjects connected with the probate law, said, last year : "Even the limited time which has elapsed since Mr. Abbott's promotion to the bench has been sufficient to demonstrate his exceptional fitness for the high post he occupies. We have already spoken of his mastery of the peculiar practice and pro- ceedure of courts of probate. This gives him an ease and facility in disposing of routine business not easily acquired except by years of experience on the bench. In the higher qualities of the judicial office he has manifested a vigorous industry, a degree of painstaking care, a perfect fairness and a knowledge of legal principles and how to apply them which has already won for him the confidence and approbation of lawyers, litigants and the public, and assure him a career of the most honorable distinction among the surrogates of this state."
Judge Abbott, in addition to his city resi- dence, is the owner of a fine cottage at Shelter Island, where he spends his summer vacation ; and he is a prominent figure in the social life of Brooklyn, being a member of the Brooklyn, Hamilton, Excelsior and Germania Clubs there and of the University Club in New York.
On Nov. 20, 1878, he married Miss Eva T. Reene of Brooklyn, and has two charm- ing children : a girl eleven years old and a boy six, to whom he is devoted.
ALFORD, ALONZO, of Brooklyn, N. Y., son of Ammi and Clarissa (White) Alford, was born in St. Albans, Jan. 28, 1837.
He received the educational advantages of the schools of St. Albans, and at the age of twenty took a position with A. G. Strong, hardware merchant of Burlington, and after four years removed to New Haven, Conn., and engaged in the flour and grain business with Wadhams & Merwin. In 1863 he located in New York, was a salesman for Mer- win & Bray, predecessors of Merwin, Hulbert & Co., and a few years later having become interested in the Ballard Rifle Manufactur- ing Co., was chosen treasurer and manager of that concern, and subsequently organized the house of Alford, Berkele & Clapp, which firm, besides carrying on its own business as
ALFORD.
jobbers of fire-arms, was the New York distributing agents of E. Remington & Sons, predecessors of the Remington Arms Co. In 1871, when the Remingtons opened their New York warerooms, Mr. Alford was placed in charge of them as general manager, oc- cupying that position for eight years, and then purchased the business from the then embarrassed company, and conducted it successfully for two years, when he sold it back to the Remingtons and resumed his old position as manager. 1881 he resigned this position, purchased the controlling in- terest in a tool and cutlery manufactory in Massachusetts, and established warerooms in New York for the sale of these wares. The success of this concern began from the
ALONZO ALFORD.
first, and in 1883 it was incorporated under the title of the Alford & Berkele Co., with Mr. Alford as president, a position which he still occupies. In 1887 the Alford & Berkele Co. bought out the Avery Sewing Machine Co., and organized the Avery Sewing Ma- chine Agency, Mr. Alford being elected president and holding the position at the present time, June 30, 1893.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.