USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Rupert > Rupert, Vt.; historical and descriptive, 1761-1898 > Part 6
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The Wright brothers were born in a house which stood on the premises now occupied by Myron F. Rob- erts, formerly by Dr. Guild. "The twins are in town," was a statement our people often heard, and with pleasure, to know these eminent sons of Rupert kindly remembered their native town. I had the pleas- ure of meeting one of these brothers at Ira Sheldon's, about 1882; am not sure which one, but think it was Truman. I recall his entertaining us with accounts of his early labors, especially while working for the late James Sheldon. Norman died at Clinton, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1891, when the equal step these twin brothers had main- tained over seventy-six years, was broken. At thetime of writing (July, 1898), Truman was living at Elbridge, N. Y. Truly it can be said, by these lives the world was made better.
S. S. SHERMAN, L.L. D.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest of the children of the late Sterling Sherman and his wife, Jane Noble, and was born in West Rupert, November, 1815. His (5)
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grandparents, on the paternal side, were Enoch and Cath- arine (Seeley) Sherman, both of whom lived to a great age. Enoch Sherman was a Revolutionary soldier. He died at West Rupert, in 1849, aged 87. His wife, known as " Aunt Katie," died in October, 1859, aged 94. A short time before her final illness, she gave her grandson an account of the death of her father. He was a captain of minute men, and when a messenger brought him news that the British had landed (near his home in Connecticut) he was ploughing in a field some distance from the house, and she herself, then a young girl and devotedly attached to her father, was with him following in the furrow behind the plough. Without waiting to unyoke his oxen, he hurried to the house; she followed as fast as she could and met him at the door, equipped with uniform and sword. He gave her a parting kiss and was gone. The next day he was brought home-a corpse. No brighter lines adorn the page of history, than of the min- ute men of the Revolution. Mr. Sherman's maternal, grandfather, Luke Noble, was also a soldier of the Revo- lution. In a long and interesting letter, which I would gladly publish in full, Mr. Sherman sketches his career, from boyhood to old age. As was the custom, he attended the district school summer and winter, until his labor became of some value, then, the winter school only. In 1832, he attended Washington Academy, Salem, one term. Prepared for college at New Hampton, N. H., and East Bennington (now Bennington), and entered Middlebury College in 1834, graduating in 1838. During his college course, Mr. Sherman taught school, both district and pri- vate or select; the latter, one term, in Rupert. Concern- ing his district schools, his own language is given : " During the winter of my freshman year I taught my first school-a small district school that nestled down by a small lake among the hills of Sudbury. Of this school, · which I taught the next winter, also, I retain some pleas- ant memories. The following is still fresh: A bright young girl had not studies enough to occupy her time and
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I suggested that she might take up English grammar to advantage. She very properly replied that she must con- sult her mother, and the next day she brought me this message: 'The daughter must not touch a grammar, for she herself studied one three weeks once, and was never able to learn anything. afterwards!' I could sympathize with that mother, for I verily believe that, if I had aban- doned English grammar, after laboring a much longer time on Murray and Kirkham, I should have had little courage for the mastery of any other subject. I became much attached to the pupils and patrons of the school and the following incident shows that the friendship was recip- rocated : Quite recently, I was visited in Chicago, by an elderly lady, the wife of a professor in a well known west- ern college, who informed me that she was a pupil of mine in that school; that her father's family were so much attached to me, that they all went to Middlebury, two years after- ward to see me graduate; and that they kept track of me as long as they lived. But now the father and mother, brother and sister had passed away, and she wished to revive the memories of her childhood, by renewing the acquaintance of her first teacher. This attachment of pupils to teachers is one of the grateful compensations of a very laborious life." We, who have had the experience, can duly appreciate this statement, which must bring to all true teachers a flood of memories. And these attach- ments, few, compared with the opportunities, would be numerous, if parents devoted one-half as much time to assisting, as they do to opposing, the teacher. Soon after finishing his college course, Mr. Sherman, bearing letters of introduction from Prof. Fowler, of Middlebury, pro- ceeded to Tuskaloosa, Ala., where he was kindly received by the president of the State University, and soon elected tutor in Latin and Greek. In this position he remained three years. I have before me a book entitled " History of the Baptists of Alabama," a present from Mr. Sher- man. In it, his career, as a prominent educator of the State for twenty years, is vividly described. The Bap-
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tists of Alabama, desirous of establishing a denominational college, called Mr. Sherman to the head of the embryo institution. I quote: "Marion had been selected as the location of such a school. * * * The school was opened in January, 1842. Prof. S. S. Sherman, a young tutor from Tuskaloosa, took control." The friends of this institution had been over-enthusiastic and dubbed it "Howard University." Mr. Sherman toned it down to " Howard English and Classical School." I quote : " Prof. Sherman, though young, was an exceedingly cool and wise man. He did not share in the extravagant enthusi- asms about the school." A Presbyterian school near Marion having failed, its apparatus, costing in Europe $5,000, was purchased, at Prof. Sherman's request, by the Baptists of Marion for $1,500. There was no library. Unwilling to make a second appeal for money, he took a negro and a large wheelbarrow, and going from house to house he solicited books, procuring about 1,000 volumes. Mr. Sherman remained at the head of this school ten years, it, in the meantime, having become firmly established as "Howard College." His retirement is explained as fol- lows, in the work quoted from, under date of 1852 : "In denominational circles some important changes took place during the year. Among these was the regretted resig- nation of President Sherman of Howard College. Prompted by the feeling that the college was founded more upon the idea of giving theological than literary instruction, and that its theological department was presided over by a minister, President Sherman's delicate sense of honor suggested his withdrawal that a minister might be ele- vated to the presidential chair. While exhibiting his usual wisdom, it deserves to be said that there was never connected with the Howard, in the future, a better quali- fied presiding officer than S. S. Sherman." On Mr. Sher- man's retirement, the citizens of Marion and members of the college united in testifying their esteem by compli- mentary resolutions and a service of silverplate. From Marion, Mr. Sherman went to La Grange, Ga., where for
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nearly three years he conducted a large private school. From La Grange he returned to Marion, Ala., to become president of " The Judson," the Baptist Female College of the state. I find his presidency thus noted. "The new president was admirably equipped for the responsible and exalted position to which he had been invited. He was a gentleman of extensive culture of mind, and his social graces were unexcelled." Mr. Sherman's own words shall describe his last work in Alabama: "I continued in charge of this institution for four years, when need of rest and the distinct rumbling of the rising war-cloud prompted me to retire north. In the fall of 1859, I settled in Milwaukee, Wis., then a considerable commercial town and noted for its charming and salubrious location. Here I engaged in commercial and manufacturing pursuits, but continued my interest in educational matters. For sev- eral years, I served as a trustee and for a short time as president of the Milwaukee College for young women. I was also a member of the City Board of Public Schools and of the State Board of Normal Schools. In 1888, business interests caused my removal to Chicago, where I now reside. The degree of L.L. D. was conferred on me by the. William Judd College of Missouri and by my Alma Mater, Middlebury College." There remains to be told one other Alabama incident in the life of this dis- tinguished son of Rupert. I quote : "It was during this year (1868) that a pleasant little episode occurred in the town of Marion. The excellent people of that classical center anxious to exhibit their appreciation of the great kindness shown by Dr. S. S. Sherman to the Confederate prisoners during the late war, some of whom were from Marion, invited him to his old home to attend a banquet given especially to the distinguished gentlemen. It was, in several respects, a touching demonstration of their recognition of his goodness. Reduced to poverty as the result of the war, and prostrated under a most iniquitous military system, the citizens of Marion, impelled by their old-time spirit, were determined that the occasion should
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be one worthy of that for which it was designed. Accord- ingly, extraordinary effort was made by a people most gen- erous in spirit, but now greatly reduced in purse, to sig- nalize the occasion in the handsomest manner possible. The town was decked out in gala garb. Flowers and evergreens, paint and bunting, artistic designs and in- scriptions which could give expression to the wealth of affection-all were laid under tribute to do honor to the man who had once been the most distinguished citizen of Marion, but whose fame had been greatly enhanced by reason of his timely goodness to men suffering in distant prisons. The day for the banquet arrived. The distin- guished visitor came from his distant home in Chicago. He was met at the railway station by the people of the entire town. Vehicles once the finest, but now much the worse for wear and age, were drawn from their repose, brushed up, and were made to do service on this import- ant occasion. Where, by reason of poverty, many ele- ments were wanting, clever devices were substituted in the intense desire of the people to express their apprecia- tion to Dr. Sherman. It was an occasion worthy alike of a noble people and of a tender-hearted benefactor. The banquet given to Dr. Sherman was a notable event in the annals of Marion." Mr. Sherman's educational work did not end with his removal from Alabama. In 1863, he took charge of Milwaukee Female College, as principal and financial manager, and so continued for three years. In that time he raised it from the brink of dissolution to a condition of prosperity. Of such a career as S. S. Sher- man's our people have reason to be proud. Long may he live to enjoy the reward of his labors.
HARRY L. MOORE,
Son of Solomon and Lydia Ann (Flower) Moore, 1860; attended Burr Seminary one year; taught in Rupert and Salem; graduate of Albany Normal, 1883; taught three years at Islip, L. I .; graduate of Business College, Poughkeepsie, 1886; died January, 1888. A young man
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of pure life and noble ideals, his untimely death was deeply lamented.
MARY HARMON,
Daughter of George and Addie (Seeley) Harmon, 1860. Educated in the schools of this town, the Friend's School, Granville, and Temple Grove Seminary, Saratoga, gradu- ating in 1883; removed to Walton, N. Y., and a teacher for the last fifteen years.
CLARA PARKER,
1866. Daughter of Charles, granddaughter of Col. Joseph, graduate of Keene, N. H., High School, 1885; taught in Hebron, Keene, Hoosic, Rutland and Malone, N. Y. ; died at Keene, 1897.
MARY SHELDON,
Daughter of Julius and Harriet (Sheldon) Sheldon, a graduate of Canandaigua Academy, and a teacher in same ; later, teacher in Lansingburgh Seminary; 1865, married Edgar, son of Simeon Sheldon, and resides at Mankato, Minn.
MARY SHELDON,
Daughter of Seth and Marina (Rising) Sheldon, graduate of No. Granville Female Seminary. Taught in seminary, Brattleboro, Vt., and in the schools of this town. Mar- ried Dr. D. C. Beebe, in 1863, and since 1865 has resided at Sparta, Wisconsin.
MARY SHELDON,
Daughter of Luther and Clarissa (Hopkins) Sheldon, grad- uate of Albany Normal. Taught in the common schools of Vermont and New York; in the State Normal, Ran- dolph, Vt., and Winsted, Ct., Graded School. Since 1890 has resided in Salem.
MAUD B. HITT,
Daughter of Dr. John and Mary (Danforth) Hitt, graduate of Castleton Normal, 1889. Taught in several towns of this State ; married John I. Fennel, and resides in Castleton.
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MARION B. WELLWOOD,
Danby, 1873. Resident of Rupert since 1886, graduated at Castleton Normal in 1894, and since been a teacher in the schools of this town.
RUBY CLARK,
1878. Daughter of Newton and Emma (Wood) Clark, graduate of Rutland High School, 1897, and now teaching in the schools of this town.
WILLIS SMITH,
Son of Almon and Emma (Frary) Smith, Michigan, 1866; resident of Rupert, 1873-88; then to Manchester, grad- uate of St. Johnsbury Academy, about 1886; of Dartmouth College about 1890; has been for several years principal of the High School, at Winchester, N. H.
FANNY BALDRIGE,
Pawlet, 1856. Daughter of James and Fanny (Bourn) Baldrige; graduate of Oswego Normal, 1879; taught in Rupert, Granville, Shushan, and Clinton, Kentucky ; married March, 1885, Abram S. Gould and resides in Hebron.
FANNY SHERMAN,
Daughter of C. A. and Laura (Burton) Sherman, 1853; graduated at Oswego Normal, 1876. Taught in Rupert, Pawlet, and in Institute for the Blind, New York, two years; married Chas. T. Drew, 1880, and resides in Merid- ian, N. Y.
FLORA DOLE,
1858. Daughter of Sherman Dole; Salem to Rupert in 1871 ; graduate of Burr & Burton, 1878; taught in Rupert, Sandgate, Greenwich, Hoosic; in No. 9, Rupert, 21 terms; married Chas. H. Sherman, 1896, and resides at West Rupert.
GENELLA COVEY,
Sandgate, 1854. Resided in Wisconsin, 1867-73; returned to Vermont; Supt. of Schools, Sandgate, two years; grad-
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uate of Burr & Burton Seminary, 1882; of Castleton Nor- mal, 1884. Taught in Wisconsin, Sandgate, Rupert, Dor- set and Granville; married, 1888, Dr. J. H. Collins, and since resided in Granville.
CORRIE B. AND EVA J. YOULEN,
Daughters of Silas E. and Louise (Rice) Youlen, 1866 and 1869; graduates of Albany Normal, 1887; Carrie taught at Hensonville, Palenville, Luzerne, N. Y., and Athol, Mass. ; married N. S. Gidley, in 1893; resides, Mt. Ver- non, N. Y. Eva taught at Wilton, Windham, N. Y., and W. Rutland, Vt. Married James Thomas, 1895; resided at Albany, Orange, Mass., and Troy.
CLARA MOORE,
1866. Daughter of Solomon and Lydia Ann (Flower) Moore; graduate of Castleton Normal, 1885; taught in Rupert, Pittsford and Poultney; married John Phillips of Rutland, 1892. Resided in Springfield, Mass., in Rupert and Hartford, Conn.
FRED H. HAWLEY,
1866. Son of Elisha, to town in 1866, from Arlington ; graduate of Castleton Normal, 1884; married 1889, Effie, daughter of Dr. J. M. Moore. Taught at Eagle Mills, N. Y., two years; secretary of Y. M. C. A., Troy; clerk for firm of E. C. Tower & Co., Troy.
JESSIE L. FONDA,
Daughter of Elon C. and Delia (Harwood) Fonda, 1861; graduate of Troy Conference Academy, 1884; taught in Rupert and Dorset; married Prof. G. W. Kennedy, 1888, and resided in Fort Ann, N. Y., and Fairhaven ; died at Highlands, Colo., in 1896.
ARDELL HARRINGTON,
Daughter of W. C. and Mary (Hopkins) Harrington, 1871; graduate of Castleton Normal, in 1890; attended the New England Conservatory of Music three years; is
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now actively engaged in teaching the piano in the towns on the line of the Rutland & Washington R. R.
GEORGIA, GRACE AND GENEVIEVE LEACH,
Daughters of Edward and Helen (Sheldon) Leach : Geor- gia and Grace graduated at Vermont Academy, Saxton's River, in 1892; Genevieve, at Goddard Seminary, Barre, in 1897; all are engaged in teaching in this and adjoining towns.
MYRTLE SHELDON,
· 1872. Daughter of Loran F. and Adelaide (Baker) Shel- don; - graduate of Castleton Normal, 1892; taught in Rupert and Pawlet; married A. W. Burdick, Dec., 1894, and reside at West Pawlet.
MARY HARRINGTON,
About 1838. Reared in the family of Amos Lewis, West Rupert; graduated at North Granville Female Seminary about 1858; has been a successful teacher many years, mainly in Troy and vicinity; resides in Lansing- burgh.
CLERGYMEN FROM RUPERT.
LUTHER SHELDON,
" A son of Hon. David Sheldon was born in 1785; graduated at Middlebury College in 1808; studied divin- ity and settled in Easton, Mass., soon after, where he is still living and preaching occasionally, though far advanced in years. He has been an active, energetic and successful minister, and much beloved by his people. It is not known that he published any works, except occa- sional sermons." Vt. Hist. Mag., 1860. Mr. Sheldon was of the Congregational faith. He died 1866.
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Clergymen from Rupert.
ICHABOD S. SPENCER, D. D.
Among the distinguished men who have gone out from this town, Rev. Ichabod S. Spencer, D. D., stands pre-eminent. He was born Feb. 23, 1798, of respectable parents, in comfortable but moderate circumstances, the youngest but one of 11 children. At the death of his father in 1815, he was thrown upon his own resources, and he went to Granville, N. Y., and entered himself as an apprentice to a tanner and currier. He was the sub- ject of a revival of religion, which prevailed there at that time, and abandoned the ideas of pursuing a trade and determined to devote himself to study, preparatory to the ministry. He entered Union College in 1819 and gradu- ated in 1822, sustaining himself in part by occasionally teaching. He then had charge of a grammar school in Schenectady for about three years, and afterwards was principal of the academy at Canandaigua, N. Y., from 1825 to 1828, in the meantime studying divinity and being licensed to preach. In the fall of 1828, he accepted a call from the Congregational Church in Northampton, Mass., one of the largest parishes in the State, where the great Jonathan Edwards so long preached. He labored accept- ably there for three and one-half years. Whilst there he declined a call to become pastor of Park Street Church; Boston, and also declined the appointment to the Presidency of the University of Alabama and Hamilton College, N. Y., and finally accepted a call to take charge of the Second Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; was installed its pastor in 1834, and continued there until his death, Nov. 23, 1854. Whilst at Brooklyn he per- formed 4 years service as one of the professors of Union Theological Seminary, New York City. Dr. Spencer was a man of medium size, square, compact-built frame, firm, compressed lips, with a small, piercing, penetrating eye, that seemed to look into one's innermost soul, shrewd in his judgment of men and measures, of remarkable firm- ness and decided opinions, but of tender feeling and sym- pathies. Many considered him rather dogmatical; but
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this rose more from the firmness of his convictions and the boldness in expressing them than from his really pos- sessing such a spirit. Certainly he was no 'trimmer', he uttered plainly and fearlessly what he thought was the truth. Dr. Spencer had quite a poetic talent. Besides many fugitive pieces, never published, he wrote and pub- lished whilst at Canandaigua, a 'Poem on Time', which attracted considerable attention, and possessed a good deal of merit. He published in his life time many occa- sional sermons and two volumes of 'Pastor's Sketches,' the latter being a very popular work and had an extensive sale. Two volumes of his sermons, with a sketch of his life and character, have been published since his decease." Vt. Hist. Mag., p. 225. The Spencer homestead was the farm now owned by T. D. Smith and known as the Har- mon farm, it having changed ownership by the marriage of Rufus Harmon and Olive Spencer, sister of Rev. Mr. Spencer. Among his brothers were Phineas and Sheldon, the latter being the father of Wilson Spencer, who mar- ried his cousin Betsey, daughter of Dea. Rufus Harmon. The Spencers left town many years ago, Phineas to Buff- alo, I believe. James Spencer, who will be remembered as a regular visitor to town in the sixties, is a son of Rev. Mr. Spencer. He now resides in Germany; was in town last year.
ALLEN GRAVES,
Born in 1790, and noted as being one of the first mis- sionaries sent out by the American Board to India. He located at Bombay, and after a life of ardent and devoted toil in behalf of the heathen, died there in 1845. His wife, also reared here, is supposed to be still living in India, though broken down by years and severe labor. Miss Orpha Graves, a sister of Rev. Mr. Graves, also went to India some years since, and died there. Vt. Hist. Mag., 1860. (Mrs. T. D. Smith, a niece, furnishes addi- tional facts). Allen Graves was a son of Cyrus Graves, and a brother of Nathan. He was educated at Middle-
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bury College and Andover Theo. Seminary. Married Mary Lee. About 1820, were sent by the A. B. C. F. M. as missionaries to India, where he lived and labored nearly thirty years. They visited America in 1833. His sister, Orpha, returned to India with them, where she married Rev. David O. Allen. All died in India.
ELI AND JOEL GRAVES,
Brothers of Allen, married sisters, Naomi and Eunice Whedon, and with Ruth removed to Georgia, where for years the brothers were Congregational ministers and the sister, Ruth, a teacher.
AZARIAH R. GRAVES,
About 1810. Son of Amos; graduate of Middlebury College, 1833, and settled as a Congregational minister in the State of Florida. Hollister's Hist. of Pawlet, p. 193. (Mrs. T. D. Smith, a cousin, says he settled and lived in Mississippi.)
BOWER AND OGDEN PRESTON,
Were sons of Rev. John B. Preston, pastor of the Congre- gational Church, 1798-1813. Bower was of the Presby- terian faith and resided in Wisconsin. He visited Rupert about 1868. Ogden of the P. E., and resided in Phila- delphia. A sister married a missionary named Johnson, went to Siam, lost her health, returned to this country and died in Philadelphia about 1838.
MILO FRARY.
I think Mr. Frary was born in Kent Hollow, and a relative of Orange; was of the Baptist faith; resided in New York; canvassed Rupert in 1865; time of death unknown.
DANIEL MATTESON,
Was of the Baptist faith; attended school in New Hampshire and preached there. Died about 1840; know nothing of the family or what part of the town they re- sided in.
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ELIJAH SPEAR,
Was a relative of Mrs. Seth Moore, Sr .; of Congrega- tional faith; in town about 1865; died in Canada.
PHILETUS FARRAR,
About 1803. Son of Jonathan; educated in the com- mon schools of Rupert, and taught in them; three terms on the mountain and one or more at the Street; entered the ministry of the M. E. Church about 1835; removed to Greenwood, Steuben Co., N. Y., and thence to New Lon- don, Iowa, where he resided until his death, about 1870. Mr. Farrar married Calista Ferrell of Rupert.
HORACE S. TRUMBULL,
1801. Son of Horace and Dorothy (Spear) Trumbull ; married Ruhama Stevens of Salem; licensed about 1835 to preach in the M. E. Church; removed to Illinois in 1849; was active in the ministry until 1865; died 1873; his son, Rollin, is the author of the well-known family records, which are marvels in pen work.
PHILETUS F. YOULEN,
1842. Son of P. W. and Electa (Johnson) Youlen ; a teacher for some years, notably at Ballston, N. Y,; graduate of Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, N. Y., in 1871; joined Troy Conference in 1878, and held pastorates at Rotterdam, Fultonville, Chatham Center, Averill Park, Hartford, Williamstown, Mass., Troy, Chester, Mass., and Berlin; now resides in Lansingburgh; married in 1877, Anna Shears of Schenectady.
JOHN N. WISEMAN.
About 183S. Son of John and Sarah (Bourn) Wise- man; was a farmer in town and in Pawlet until about 1885; also taught school and was town superintendent of Rupert three years; entered the ministry of the Disciples' Church about 1884, and has been stationed at West Paw- let, Aurora and Pompey, N. Y., and Wetherby and Char- . don, Ohio; married in 1869, Mary Monroe of Granville.
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WEBSTER O. MOORE,
1840. Son of Seth and Ruby (Harwood) Moore; attended school at Manchester, Poultney and Fort Ed- ward; taught in Rupert, Wells, Fair Haven; entered the ministry of the Disciples' Church; studied at Hiram College and Butler University; held pastorates in New York, Ohio and Indiana; married Sept., 1871, Anna Van- dusen of Brewerton, N. Y., and resides in Indianapolis.
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