USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Peru > Reunion celebration : together with an historical sketch of Peru, Bennington County, Vermont, and its inhabitants from the first settlement of the town > Part 14
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Edward Batchelder, son of Israel Batchelder, is a native of Peru, and spent his youthful days on his father's farm. At maturity he went to Massachusetts and worked in different shops. He married Harriet Wyman, of Peru. Mr. Batchelder then bought the Ballard mill and run it a short time, selling out to Gustave Albee. He next worked as a wheelwright, and afterwards bought the brick hotel, which he run about a year and sold to G. K. Davis. Mr. Batchelder was a useful citizen, and besides being elected to many town offices, represented the town in the legislature two years. He moved to East Dorset, and is now foreman in D. L. Kent & Co.'s marble mill. After Mr. Batchelder's first wife died, he married Widow Vials, of Dorset.
Jonathan Hapgood, son of Josiah Hapgood, was born in Peru, and spent his early days in the village. He did his life's work on the farm where he was born, caring for his father and mother in their old age. He married Aurelia (Davis) Marsh, of Reading, Vt. Mr. Hapgood built the new house and made great improvements on the farm. He was a man who worked for the improvement of the institutions of the town, and held many important offices; he was also elected to represent the town two terms. Mrs. Hapgood died in 1882, and Mr. Hapgood in 1883. They were living at their son's residence in Manchester when they died, but were brought to Peru for burial.
James H. Wait, son of James Wait, came to Peru in childhood with his parents, who settled in district No. 6, in 1835, and which was an unbroken wilderness at that time. He assisted his father in · clearing the farm during the summer months, and attended school in
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the winter, where he soon proved to be a good scholar. He learned the joiner's trade, and has always worked at it. Mr. Wait married Nancy Wyman, daughter of Thomas Wyman, and settled in East Dorset, where he built a house. He was always an industrious man, and one who enjoyed his prosperity.
John W. Davis, son of Grovenor Davis, came into town with his parents when he was four years old. He received his education at the common school of the district in which he lived. When quite young he commenced peddling tinware, but finally moved to Manchester, where by perseverance and industry he soon had a large business. Mr. Davis married Betsey Roby, of Peru. The business is now carried on under the name of John W. Davis & Son, and deals in tinware, sheet iron, stoves, lead pipe, and all kinds of goods kept in such establishments.
Henry Davis, second son of Grovenor Davis, received his education at the school in district No. 6, and worked on his father's farm until he became of age. Early in life he commenced running Thayer's hotel at Factory Point, but left it in a few years and moved into the Colburn House, where he run a popular hotel for about twenty years. Mr. Davis retired from the hotel business with the credit of being a popular landlord.
Six sons of Goodell Walker, whose names are John G., Ira R., Seth 1 .. , Duane, Merrill G., and Peter J., were all born in Peru and received their education in the village schools. They worked on the farm with their father until they were twenty-one years of age. All of them married and first settled on farms in Peru, John G. being the first one to break the ring and leave town. He has lived in several towns, but has spent most of the time in Peru, and has owned different farms and dealt in real estate. Ira R. has lived on several farms, but for more than twenty years has occupied the house where he now lives. He married Catherine Wyman, of Peru, and had one daughter, who died when quite young. Seth L. bought the Dudley farm, and has lived on it ever since. All the large buildings were struck by lightning and burnt down, but better ones have taken their place. He married Mrs. Abbie Drury, of Weston, who died in 1889. Duane married Irene Stoddard, of South 'Derry. He died in 1863, aged 30 years, and is the only one of the six brothers who is dead. Merrill G. married Rosette Stiles, of Peru. He owned several farms in town, the last one being the Bigelow place, on which he built a fine house. He finally bought a farm, saw mill, and jelly factory in
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Manchester, where he is now doing business under the name of M. G. Walker & Son. Porter J. came into possession of the paternal acres, which he sold and moved to Manchester, where he built a house. He is now doing business for himself in Inglewood, Ill. All the six brothers were industrious and useful citizens, taking an active part in town affairs, and holding offices at different times. John twice represented the town in the legislature. They all helped to support society, and were members of the church. Merrill G. and Porter J. were active members in the church and Sunday school, and their help was much missed by the society.
Of the large family of John H. Sawyer, only two are living. John married in Massachusetts, and then went to California, where he has prospered. Sarel, the third son, after the death of his father, entered into an engagement with his mother and the heirs to remain on the farm, take care of his mother, and pay a small sum to the heirs, which he did until he came into possession of the homestead. He re-built the saw mill, put in new machinery, and otherwise improved the premises. Mr. Sawyer is a man of great muscular power, and has done a good deal of hard work on his farm. He married Jane Conable, of Bernardston, Mass., and has three daughters, all of whom are married.
M. J. Hapgood, son of J. J. Hapgood, was born at Peru in 1849. He attended the village school, and then went to Burr & Burton's Seminary to prepare for college. After he had finished his course at Williams College, he studied in different law offices and attended lectures at the Harvard Law School, afterwards being admitted to the bar. Mr. Hapgood commenced business with the firm of J. J. Hapgood & Co. in the mercantile store at Peru, and continued in the business for a number of years. He entered the lumber business, bought large tracts of land, and erected a steam mill on the mountain, which has done a large business. Mr. Hapgood does more to support society and the institutions of the town than any other citizen.
Of the six sons of J. W. Farnum who were born and brought up in school district No. 4, David is the oldest. He married Miss F. Burton, of Manchester, and went to live in Herndon, Va., but now resides in Maryland, where he has prospered. Aaron, the second son, was suddenly killed by the bursting of a stone in a grist mill at Arlington, Vt., leaving many friends to mourn his loss. Henry, the third son, married Miss Benedict, and resides on the farm formerly
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occupied by Mr. Benedict in Arlington. He is a useful citizen of that town. Charles E., the fourth son, married a lady from New Hampshire, and is settled in Washington, D. C., where he is a master buildler, with an extensive business. Lycena, the fifth son, married a lady at Peru. He moved to Arlington, and is doing well at farming. The sixth and youngest son is married and settled in Dorset. The oldest daughter, Miriam, married Edwin S. Simonds, and lives in Herndon, Va. Mr. Simonds holds an office at Washington, D. C. Amanda, the other daughter, married Frank Rand and lives in Townshend.
James Farnum came to Peru about 1835, and married Remembrance Long. He owned several farms in town, but the latter part of Mr. and Mrs. Farnum's life was spent with their son, where they both died, aged about 73 years. Charles, the oldest son, married Maria Carlton, and lived on various places until about 1865, when he purchased the Killam farm, on which he is doing a good business. He has a family of girls. Wallace, the second son, married Miss Estabrook, of Manchester, and has always lived in town. He now owns the Aaron Byard farm, and is a successful farmer. Fayette, the third son, married Miss Simonds, of Peru, and settled at Manchester Depot. He is a mechanic, and is doing a successful business. These three brothers are industrious men and good citizens.
LONGEVITY.
Widow Sarah Killam Stiles was the oldest person who ever lived in town. She died in 1868, aged 102 years and six months. Her one hundredth anniversary occurred on Sunday, and was celebrated by holding a meeting at her residence and uniting with her in celebrat- ing the Lord's supper. Rev. M. A. Gates officiated. Her mind continued bright and clear almost to her last days.
In the family of Reuben Bigelow there were eight daughters who grew up to womanhood in Peru, and were as follows. AAbigail, died in Chester in 1888, aged 92 years; Susan, died in Manchester in 1868, aged about 70 years; Lucinda lives in Illinois; Demietta lives in Illinois; Deborah lives in Michigan; Laura lives in Wisconsin; Orrilla and Caroline live in Virginia. The combined ages of the sisters that are alive is 503 years, which averages 8312 years each.
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NAMES OF THOSE OVER NINETY YEARS.
Sarah Farnum, 92; Lucy Wood Barnard, 97; Mrs. John Batchelder, 92; Mrs. Joel Adams, 95; Widow Lovina Hapgood, 97; Aaron Byard, 95: Mrs. A. Byard, 95; Mrs. Abigail Long, 93; Mrs. Sally Farnum, 95; Jesse Brown, 92: Mrs. Sally Cook, 94: Mrs. Anna Simonds, 94; Mrs. Peter A. Gould, 93; Ebenezer Stiles, 92; Mrs. Scammel Burt, 92; Parker Wyman, 91; Widow Sarah Messenger, 96.
NAMES OF THOSE OVER EIGHTY YEARS.
Mrs. Benjamin Williams, 82; Mrs. Joel Lyon, 84: Peter A. Gould, 82; Mrs. J. L. Haynes, 80; Horace Gould, 80; Mrs. Elijah Simonds, 84; Daniel Wood, 83; H. O. Davis, 82; Polly Stone, 83; Oliver Wyman, 85; Deacon Seth Lyon, 83; Dana Wyman, 83; Joel Adams, 82; David Simonds, 83; Moody Roby, 88: Asa Farnum, 86; Stephen Tuttle, 83; Deacon John Davidson, 84; Widow Strat- ton, 87; Zimri Whitney, 86; Jesse Brown, 87; Mrs. Zimri Whitney, 82; David Robbins, 85; Mrs. Lydia Walker, 82; Moses Rider, 86; Mrs. Asa Simonds, 80; Freeman Lyon, 80; Mrs. John Brown, 87; Elisha Whitney, 84: Freeman Lyon, 2nd, 80; Benjamin Barnard, 87; Mrs. Reuben Bigelow, 83; Mrs. Deacon Lyon, 87; Stephen Bennett, 84; Mrs. Jesse Brown, 81; Edmund Batchelder, 83; Mrs. Edmund Batchelder, 84: Mrs. Isaac G. Long, 84; Mrs. Asa Farnum, 82; Benjamin Barnard, Jr., 82; Mrs. Benjamin Barnard, 88; Mrs. Stowell Barnard, 82; Mrs. John Brown, 8 ;; Mrs. Stephen Bennett, 82; Mrs. David Robbins, 87; Moses Adams, 85; Stephen Tuttle, 83: Mrs. Ira Russell, 80; Elijah Simonds, 85; Mrs. Daniel Wood. 83; Mrs. Elisha Whitney, 81; Jane Taft, 80.
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