USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Rupert > Rupert, Vt.; historical and descriptive, 1761-1898 > Part 5
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Rupert, Vermont.
THE M. E. CHURCH.
THIS church was organized in May, 1883. It was composed of a few of this faith who had previously asso- ciated with the other churches; seceders from these churches, and others not connected with any denomina- tion. Rev. T. W. Harwood, 1883-86, was the first pastor. Mr. Harwood was born in England; he now resides at Round Lake. His son Carroll, then a member of . his family, is now a clergyman of this church. In 1SS6-89, Rev. C. V. Grismer, an eloquent speaker, now pastor of the M. E. Church, Glens Falls. His son Joseph died here as the result of an accident. In 1889-91, Rev. W. H. Groat. Mr. Groat is now stationed at Gloversville. While residing here, his daughter, Mirian, was a teacher in the Granville Graded School. In 1891-96, Rev. Romaine Campbell. Highly popular with all classes. Mr. Camp- bell is now stationed at Pittsford. In 1896-98, Rev. W.
P. Rulison. Now stationed at Brandon. In 1898, Rev. Thomas Rogers. A native of P. E. I. Graduate of Mt. Ellison College, Sackville, N. B., resident of Bermuda five years; here from Vergennes. The first stewards of this church were J. H. Guild, A. E. Burton, M. F. Roberts, H. W. Stoddard and James McDonald. Pres- ent ones: A. E. Burton, M. F. Roberts, M. B. Rob- erts, C. W. Hogle, W. C. Mason, Erastus Roberts, W. L. Crandall; Chorister, W. C. Mason ; Supt. Sunday School, M. F. Roberts; Organist, Mrs. H. C. Guild. The church edifice was erected in 1884, being dedicated Nov. 26, of that year. The dedicatory sermon was by Rev. Merritt Hurlburd of N. Y. Previous to this, until Sept., 1SS4, the services had been held in school house hall. The church edifice stands where formerly stood the residence of Dr. Henry Sheldon. It is the most costly and beauti-
ful building in town. Heated by steam and lighted by gas made on the premises. It contains a pipe organ, which, it is hardly necessary to say, is the only one in town; a bell weighing 1600 lbs., and a clock, a great con-
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Societies.
venience to the community. The seats are free. The expense was almost entirely defrayed by Dr. J. H. Guild. The parsonage stands on the same lot, between the church and the former residence of Jackson Farrar, now M. B. Roberts. In the construction of these buildings, R. H. Conant, now of Ridgefield, Ill., was the master builder. First Sexton, Charles Lackey; present, R. S. Mason. Membership, about 90. This church belongs to the Bur- lington district of the Troy Conference.
SOCIETIES.
OF SOCIETIES, fraternal or otherwise, our town has had its proportion. As in other towns, a difference of opinion has existed regarding secret orders, especially Freemasonry, but rather less violent now than formerly.
I. O. O. F.
Indian River Lodge, No. 12, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted in 1848, being the first chartered by the Grand Lodge of Vermont. Among the original mem- bers were J. G. Burton, T. L. Sheldon, Geo. Hopkins and L. D. Hopkins. The first place of meeting was in West Rupert, in the house now the residence of Chauncey Hay, in the chamber of which a lodge room was fitted. This was the meeting place for ten years or more; then for about the same period the lodge had no abiding place. In 1869-70 a convenient lodge room was fitted and furnished in the railroad station house and regularly occupied until 1880, when, upon the remodeling of the building, the order was excluded. For a time they met in Sheldon's Hall, West Rupert, then in School Hall, Rupert Street, and again in Sheldon's Hall. The lodge now meets regularly in Grange Hall, Rupert Street. A. E. Burton, Noble Grand; Chas. Trumbul., Secretary.
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Rupert, Vermont.
KNOW NOTHING.
A lodge of this order was formed about 1854, meeting in Odd Fellows' lodge room, West Rupert. Like all oth- ers of its kind, it soon dissolved.
F. AND A. M.
Morning Flower Lodge, No. 71, at West Rupert, Jan- uary 11, 1866. Charter members as follows: E. S. Bal- drige, T. L. Sheldon, S. H. Rising, Nathan Wilson, Wm. A. Stearns, Jonas Wilder, R. G. Monroe, Geo. Hop- kins, Leonard Johnson, J. H. Guild, A. M. Stockwell, A. G. Oatly. Masonic Hall dedicated December, 1868. Lodge removed to Pawlet, January, 1885. Masters while in Rupert: J. Wilder, H. N. Bradley, S. H. Rising, T. L. Sheldon, A. K. Kinne, G. H. Richey, E. H. Beebe, A. . P. Sheldon. First place of meeting, Hopkins' house, now C. Hay's.
I. O. OF G. T.
Rupert Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was instituted in April, 1870, meeting in Odd Fellows lodge room, railroad building. The membership rapidly increased, and for a year or more it was quite pop- ular as a social center. But internal dissensions, added to the natural weakness of the organization, soon produced decay and death, the last meeting being in November, 1872.
W. C. T. U.
A town organization of the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union was formed in 1890, with Miss Lottie Baldrige, President, and Mrs. E. B. Safford, Secretary. Present officers : Mrs. J. M. Harwood, President; Hattie Harwood, Secretary. Membership about twenty-five: The society has no regular place for meetings, the dates of which are the first Wednesday of each month, usually at homes of members.
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Literary.
P. OF H.
Mt. Anthony Grange, No. 230, Patrons of Husbandry, was instituted February, 1890, by State Master Alpha Messer, with 22 members. T. D. Smith was the first Master; E F. Haye, Secretary'; Bell McCall, Lecturer. Schoolhouse Hall was the first meeting place of the grange and continued to be until October, 1892. In December, 1891, a building was begun for the use of the order just below the old brick school house, now the blacksmith shop. . E. F. Haye was the designer and master builder. A handsome and convenient hall was fitted and furnished in the second story of this building. It was first used in October, as mentioned, and formally dedicated in the fol- lowing January. On that occasion Dorset grange was present, and the State Master presided. This grange has a present membership of about ninety. Its regular meet- ings are held the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Present officers : G. W. Holmes, Master; Burr Harwood, Secretary ; Mrs. G. W. Holmes, Lecturer.
LITERARY.
OUR PEOPLE have not been prominent in this line. Such as has been done will be noticed under that head. Some organizations in this direction will be mentioned. The Rupert Reading Circle was formed in 1867. Select readings, followed by questions and comments constituted the usual program, meetings being held in the homes of the members. It lasted less than two years, its member- ship being mainly students and teachers. Of its twenty members, one is in Boston, three in Troy, one in Georgia, two in Missouri, four in California and two have passed "over the river." This, so far as I know, was the first organization of the kind, and prepared the way for others.
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Rupert, Vermont.
The Rupert Literary Association was organized in 1871, composed of members from both the upper and lower streets. In addition to the usual exercises of its regular meetings, the society aimed to establish a library, and made a fair beginning in that direction. About 1874, the "up-town " members having gradually " dropped out," the entire control passed into the hands of the West Ru- pert members, where meetings were held until about 1877. The library was located at E. B. Safford's, where it still remains. It has proved a useful institution and been well patronized. The Young People's Christian Association was organized in 1874, the meetings being held in the Con- gregational Church. The Lambert family were prime movers and managers in this association, and some excel- lent programs were rendered; music, select readings, de- bates, a society paper and lectures by out-of town talent. These meetings were continued, from first to last, about two years, and their influence on the community was ben- eficial. The Rupert Literary Union was organized in 1879, being composed entirely of residents of Rupert Street and vicinity. Like the " Circle " and Literary As- sociation, its meetings were held at the homes of members, and, like the latter, it sought to establish a library. About 100 volumes were procured and located at C. F. Sheldon's. They have been patronized to some extent, especially by the youthful class. The meetings of the Union were sus- tained rather more than two years, when it went the way of its predecessors. Though none had the vitality neces- sary for a continued existence, they all served the pur- pose of keeping alive the literary spirit and were not in vain. On a different line, but equally useful, was the Farmers' Club of District No. 8, which flourished from 1SS1 to'S3. Its meetings were held at the various resi- dences, and were both pleasant and instructive.
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Lyceums .- Musical.
LYCEUMS.
THIS TOWN shared in the New England lyceum or de- bating school of former years, now, unfortunately, fallen into disuse. In not only the villages and hamlets, but in the outlying school houses as well, the people gathered to discuss, in homely but earnest manner, the questions of the day. And they were benefitted by the doing. I re- call my first lyceum attendance, at West Rupert, in the brick church, I think. The subject of discussion (taking a boy's -recollection and restating it in the language of a man) was as to the comparative influence of education and wealth. The disputants were D. C. Beebe, now of Sparta, Wis., E. S. Fonda, now of Osage, Iowa, Thomas Tellier, now of Groton, Vt., and W. W. Clayton, then pastor of the Disciples' Church, present location unknown. Tellier and Fonda for education, Clayton and Beebe for wealth. I do not know who won, but I know father had to awaken me at the time for departure. I was about nine years of age at the time. At this period of our history there was never a winter with less than two lyceums in town, and often three. Recent attempts to revive the lyceum have not been successful. The latest was at School House Hall, in 1882, but it was soon abandoned. Though the lyceum has passed away, the need of it still remains.
MUSICAL.
THE inhabitants of Rupert have been fully up to the average in the love and practice of music. Singing schools were the favorite in the years beginning the last half of the century, even rivalling the lyceum. The first singing teacher I can remember was S. P. Cheney, of Dorset, who was well and widely known in this field. He taught school
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Rupert, Vermont.
at West Rupert as late as 1882. His son, John V. Cheney, now well known in the world of letters, taught the Prescott school, this town, in the winter of 1866-7. The first . teacher whose school I attended was James M. North. He was to our people, the ideal teacher and is held in pleas- ant remembrance to this day. Some years after leaving here Mr. North wrote a friend in town, saying, " Former- ly I was singing to live, now I am living to sing." Happy condition, which only a few reach. Other singing teach- ers were Dr. Button of Manchester, in war time; one Jones, one Crowinshields, and J. N. Whedon of this town ; and several winters R. J. Humphrey of Poultney. Sing- ing conventions have been held by several parties, notably, two by the Leslie company, A. P. Wilkins, manager, in the winter of 1884-5. Of old-time singing masters, the following have been named to me: Seth Sheldon, Seth P. Sheldon, Titus Sheldon.
Hollister says Seth P. Sheldon taught in Pawlet as early as 1782. Born in 1762. Of melodeons, organs and pianos in town, there are a large number, probably 100. The first piano in town was owned by Miss Ann, daughter of Esq. David Sheldon; time, about 1830. Melodeons are no longer purchased; organs hold their own fairly well, though upright pianos are the favorite. Of music teachers in the last thirty years, resident of this and ad- joining towns, I recall: Prof. C. W. Townsend of Salem, now Cambridge; Ann Eliza Smith, now Troy; Mary Clark, now Mrs. H. G. Burton, San Diego, Cal .; Libbie Austin, now Mrs. G. R. Thompson; Maria Moore, now Mrs. Titus Coan, Albion, N. Y .; Jennie Sheldon, now Mrs. E. F. Haye; Laura Sherman; Franc Hawley ; Lil- lian Barden (died in 1894); Mrs. F. W. Hopkins (died in 1884); Celia Jenkins (Mrs. C. W. Ray, died in 1887); and Ardell Harrington.
RUPERT CORNET BAND
Was organized in 1883. Charles Ellis, then of Paw- let, was instructor nearly two years. Ralph Sherman,
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Professional Teachers.
now of South Haven, Mich., was the first leader; Henry H. Bowen (died in 1887) was the second. The present leader, Frank Barden, is widely known as a superior cor- net player. The band has met in School House Hall un- til this year; now in Sheldon's Hall.
C. L. S. C.
The Try Again Circle was organized in Septem- ber, 1885, with a membership of twelve, and held regu- lar meetings about two years.
LIBRARY AND READING ROOM.
In March, 1897, Class No. 5 of the Congregational Sunday School, Mrs. G. R. Thompson, teacher, inaugu- rated plans having in view the founding of a public library. About twenty-five volumes were procured and located in the post office, opposite the railroad station. In October, owing to the removal of the office, the building was closed. In February of this year the rear hall of the Grange building having been rented, it was opened to the public as a library and reading room. The regular even- ings are Monday and Friday of each week. The attend- ance has been such as to encourage the promoters to feel that their efforts will be crowned with success. Present number of volumes about seventy-five. The reading ta- bles are plentifully supplied with standard magazines and newspapers. Some lady of the village is in charge of the room each evening.
PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS.
OUR town has produced, and sent out to labor in this most important field, a goodly number of the teaching profession, some of whom have taken high rank. Promi- nent among them stands,
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Rupert, Vermont.
DAVID S. SHELDON,
son of Esq. David, grandson of Judge David. I quote part of an obituary notice, from a Davenport, Ia., paper : " Professor David Sylvester Sheldon was born in Rupert, Vt., in Dec., 1808, his age at the time of his death being 77 years, 6 months. His father was a well-to-do farmer whose people were among the earliest English settlers in New England. The son was given the best advantages for education; sent to Castleton Academy when 16 years , of age, and in 1827 entered Middlebury College. He graduated from college with the class of '31-of which Judge Harrington of Burlington, Iowa, was also a mem- ber. Mr. Sheldon intended to enter the ministry-and entered Andover Theological Seminary to fit himself for the sacred calling. Graduating from Andover, he con- cluded he was better fitted by nature for the calling of teacher than that of preacher. He pursued the vocation of teaching, in Bennington, mostly, until 1836, when he accepted an invitation to the then famous academy at Potsdam, N. Y. Here his success was so great that it was proposed to found a college if he would accept the presidency; but he declined. In 1840, he accepted the principalship of the High School, Northampton, Mass. He remained at the head of the High School until the fall of 1847, when he resigned, because of failing health. In 1850, he came to Burlington, Iowa, where he opened a school, which soon became famous in eastern Iowa, and western Illinois. In '52 he accepted an invitation to the chair of natural science in the Iowa College, in Davenport, and removed to this city. It was a Congregational Col- lege. In '59, the corporation decided to remove their denominational institution to Grinnell. Bishop Lee, of the Episcopal Church, purchased the property here, and founded Griswold College, which was opened Dec. 12, of that year. Prof. Sheldon has occupied the chairs of mathematics and natural science ever since. He was a born instructor-and a deep student in science. He was kind-hearted, generous, loving without lowering for a
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Professional Teachers.
minute the dignity of his position. All his hopes centered in Griswold College, he rejected many offers from the most eminent colleges in the east, because of his hope for this western institution. Prof. Sheldon was an active member of the Academy of Science-one of its founders. His removal is a serious loss for that institution. He was in correspondence with the most eminent scientists in the world-and his opinions were frequently quoted in scien- tific publications. Prof. Sheldon leaves no family of his own. In March, 1836, he married Miss Mary Foote, of Mid- dlebury, Vt. One child, a daughter, blessed the union, but she died when four years of age, and years after a daughter of a brother of Mrs. Sheldon-Sadie Foote, was adopted. Mrs. Sheldon died in April, 'S2, aged 70 years." Both now rest in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Ia., June 5, 1886, being the date of Mr. Sheldon's death. In Rupert Street Cemetery are these inscriptions :- " Harriet S. only child of David S. & Mary L. Sheldon died Mar. 12, 1842, Æ 4 yrs & 5 mos. Martha Ann daughter of Ira F. & Rosina L. Sheldon died Mar. 6, 1842, Æ 4 yrs. 8 mos."
Between 1847 and '50, Mr. Sheldon resided in Rupert ; and it is those years of his life which most interest our people. In 1848, he taught a select school, which has already been noted as a memorable event in our educa- tional history. In 1849, he represented Rupert in the Legislature, being elected after a sharp contest between him and Judge Nathan Burton. This election and the results that followed, gave Mr. Sheldon an abiding place in our history. The time was the beginning of the era of railroad building, and two lines were in prospect; one through this town, another through Manchester, both to Rutland. So little was the value and need of a railroad understood, at this time, each section became the rival of the other, believing only one road ought to be built. This feeling was well expressed by John H. McFarland, a well known lawyer of Salem, who, addressing the peo- · ple of Rupert, declared, " The first shovelful of dirt raised
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Rupert, Vermont.
in the construction of this road, would bury the Western Vermont road, so deep, the resurrection trumpet could not raise it." Mr. Sheldon was elected as the friend and supporter of our railroad project. In the Legislature, the two sections finally agreed not to oppose the plans of the other, and the Western Vermont charter was granted. Then, treacherously, that section endeavored to defeat the other charter. Their efforts were frustrated by the ability and eloquence of Mr. Sheldon, who addressed the House in a speech that electrified that body and won our charter. The late Merritt Clark, prominent in Rutland County, for nearly three-quarters of a century, declared it one of the ablest . speeches he ever heard; and that the members' admiration of the orator was only equaled by their surprise to know Rupert had so able a representa- tive. Let this man and his valuable services be remem- bered by the people of Rupert. Soon after these events, Mr. Sheldon, as mentioned in the obituary, removed to Iowa. His last visit to Rupert was in 1864, soon after the death of his father.
TRUMAN K. AND NORMAN F. WRIGHT.
" A JOINT BIOGRAPHY.
The twin brothers, Truman and Norman Wright, were born in Rupert, Bennington County, Vt., March 27, 1815. They were the youngest of a family of twelve children. Their father's name was Preserved; by trade he was a blacksmith. Their grandfather's name was Solomon; he was a weaver. Both were poor but honest, and held in high esteem by the community in which they lived. Their mother's maiden name was Jemima King. She was a woman of marked ability and sterling good sense. Her children ascribe to her quite as much as to their father whatever of inherited ability they possess, and more than to him, the stimulating encouragement that helped them push their way in life in spite of all the difficulties they had to contend with. When they were
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Professional Teachers.
eight years old their father died. The care of the family then rested on the three sons, Rial, Charles and Calvin.
The mother and family of younger children were kept together four years. At the age of eleven, the twins worked out during the haying and harvest season at twenty-five cents a day. At the age of twelve, they worked out at the rate of four dollars a month. At the ages of thirteen, fourteen and fifteen, they worked on the farm for five, six and seven dollars a month, attending school four months each winter. At sixteen they entered Washington Academy, Salem, N. Y., and began their studies preparatory for college. At the age of seventeen they commenced teaching, Truman in Rupert, in his native district; Norman in the adjoining town of Sandgate. Both made their first teaching a success. At the age of eighteen, in the spring of 1833, the manual labor school known as Burr Seminary, opened at Manchester, Vt., to which, with many other young men from the surrounding country, they resorted. At this school they had the advantages of cheap board and good teaching. After the first year they had regular employment at wood chopping on the seminary farm, and nearly every day with their axes upon their shoulders, they traveled about a mile northwest from the seminary to their place of labor, felled the sturdy maples, cut them into four-foot logs, and split and pilled them at thirty-seven and one-half cents a cord. In the winter of this year they taught-Truman in his native district, and Norman in the town of Arlington, Vt. The winter they were nineteen, Truman taught in Rupert, Norman in Winhall. At the age of twenty they entered Middlebury College. Both taught in the winter of that year in their native town of Rupert. The next winter Truman taught in West Rutland, Vt., and Norman in Easton, Mass. The succeeding two winters they both taught select schools, Truman at West Rutland, and Norman at Pawlet, Vt. During their entire preparatory and collegiate course, besides teaching winters, they were accustomed to work in hay and harvest fields during their summer vacations ;
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Rupert, Vermont.
thus getting vigor of body, and means whereby to defray their college expenses. They graduated at Middlebury College with the honors of a full collegiate course. They then entered upon teaching as a regular business in order to obtain funds to pay a debt incurred in getting their education. Truman took charge of the Academy at New London, N. H .- Norman of one at Red Creek, Wayne County, N. Y. Till 1842, their purpose had been to enter the Christian ministry, but at this time circum- stances over which they had no control, seemed to indicate that their duty lay in the line of teaching. They there- fore entered upon that profession as a life work. Truman was principal of the Academy at New London, N. H., four years; at Durham, N. H., three years; at Pompey, N. Y., six years; at Jordan, N. Y., five years; and he has been principal at Munro Collegiate Institute, Elbridge, N. Y., where he yet continues his active labors in teaching, twenty-seven years. This added to his years of teaching during his preparatory and college courses, gives in all, to the present time (1885), nearly forty-eight years -ten in New England, and thirty-eight in New York. The twenty-fifth anniversary of his teaching at Elbridge, was celebrated two years ago, by the gathering of hun- dreds of old students, who came from far and near to greet their alma mater, to clasp hands and look again upon the faces of their old teacher and the companions of former school days. During the same time Norman taught the Academy at Red Creek, Wayne County, N. Y., two years. He then assisted his brother a part of the year at New London, N. H., and taught a select school one term at Salisbury, N. H. In the fall of 1842, he was appointed principal of the gymnasium at Pembroke, N. H. He remained there two years. He next took the princi- palship of the Genessee and Wyoming Seminary, Alexan- der, Genessee Co., N. Y., where he remained nine years. He next taught the Warsaw Academy, Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y., six years. He was then appointed principal of Batavia High School, where he taught seven years. He
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Professional Teachers.
then served two years as Superintendent of the Union Free Schools, at Binghamton, N. Y. In the winter of 1869, he was appointed professor of the classical depart- ment of the State Normal School at Cortland, N. Y., where he remained eight years. He afterwards taught five years with his son Arthur M. Wright, in the Union school at Skaneateles, N. Y. Since the death of his wife, September 19, 1882, his home has been with his daughter, Mrs. Emma C. Benedict, Houghton Seminary, Clinton, N. Y., in which institution he is now, 1885, engaged in the active work of teaching, his special department being the classics and geology. Both have been useful members of the communities in which they have lived, and efficient officers and workers in the churches to which they be- longed." From an account of the seventieth birthday celebration of Messrs. Wright, at Houghton Seminary, Clinton, N. Y., March 27, 1885.
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