USA > Vermont > Caledonia County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 27
USA > Vermont > Essex County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 27
USA > Vermont > Orleans County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 27
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
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dian trade. In 1:91 the census showed a population of 365, in 1800, of 873; in 1810, 1,300; in 1820, 1,294, and in 1840, 1,443.
Peacham furnished 134 soldiers in the War for the Union, one ninth of its entire population. In 1869 a monument was erected on Academy hill by private subscription at an expense of $3,000, to perpetuate the memory of her sons "who gave their lives that the nation might live." Peacham furnished two of the most famous anti-slavery champions: Oliver Johnson and Thad Stevens.
The two most potent factors, which for more than a century have worked hand in hand for the intel- lectual and spiritual upbuilding of the people, are the Congregational church and Peacham academy. The church edifiee is now one of the finest in the state, a model of taste and convenience. The present pas- tor is Rev. J. K. Williams. There is also a Methodist church, of which Rev. Mr. Ryan is pastor.
HARVEY, GEORGE, proprietor and editor of the North American Review, editor of Harper's Weekly, and president and chief owner of the publishing house of Harper & Brothers, comes of Scottish ances- try, and is a native of Vermont, where he was born, at Peacham, on February 16, 1864. He was edu- cated at the Caledonia grammar school in that town, and at the age of eighteen became a reporter on the staff of the Springfield Repub- lican, one of the foremost papers in New England, and remained there two years.
At the age of twenty-one Mr. Harvey went to New York, and be- came a reporter for the World. For nearly seven years he served that
paper, rising from place to place on its staff, until he became managing editor. In 1893 his health beeame impaired, and he was compelled to resign.
Mr. Harvey soon after turned his attention to business affairs. For two years he was associated in busi- ness with Hon. William C. Whit- ney. Then he undertook the devel- opment of electric railroad and lighting concerns on his own ac- count. He built the electric roads on Staten Island, and at Long Branch, Asbury Park, and else- where on the New Jersey coast. In 1898 he formed what was known as the Harvey syndicate, and pur- chased the street railroads of Ha- vana and other properties in Cuba.
Mr. Harvey was, at the age of twenty-one, appointed aide-de- camp, with the rank of colonel, on the staff of Governor Green of New Jersey. He was reappointed and made chief of staff by Governor Abbett, and declined another ap- pointment at the hands of Governor Werts. He was also appointed com- missioner of banking and insurance by Governor Abbett, but resigned the place after a few months in or- der to give his full time to news- paper work. He also declined the place of consul-general at Berlin, which was offered to him by Presi- dent Cleveland.
Early in 1899 Colonel Harvey purchased and became editor of the North American Review of New York, perhaps the most noted of literary and critical periodicals in the United States.
In November, 1899, financial dis- tress overtook the famous publish- ing house of Harper & Brothers, and Mr. Harvey, at the solicitation
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of all parties in interest, undertook the task of reorganization. Within two years he succeeded beyond the expectations of himself or anybody else, and the house is now more prosperous than ever before in its long history.
He is a director of several finan-
the public schools of his native town, and later Pittsfield academy, for three years, completing his aca- demic studies at Phillips Exeter and Pembroke academies. He entered Dartmouth in the fall of 1860. He was a member of the Psi Upsilon and Phi Beta Kappa societies.
GEORGE HARVEY.
eial institutions and a member of the principal clubs in New York and London.
BUNKER, CHARLES ALBERT, son of Alfred and Mary Hodgdon Bun- ker, was born in Barnstead, New Hampshire, in 1840. He attended 20
Soon after his graduation, in 1864, he was made the principal of MeIndoe's academy, Barnet, and two years later was called to Peacham as principal of the Caledonia county grammar school, now styled the Peacham academy, which was
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
opened in 1797. After an honorable and successful term of service of twenty-eight years, Mr. Bunker re- signed the principalship, his only
and was himself a living exemplar of that idea. Mr. Bunker was elected town superintendent of Peacham in 1869, which office he held sixteen
CHARLES A. BUNKER.
connection with the school now be- ing as member of the board of trus- tees. He inculcated the idea of self- help in the minds of the students,
years. In 1883 he was elected presi- dent of the State Teachers' associa- tion. He has held several minor town offices, and in 1886, as a Re-
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publican, was chosen state senator from Caledonia county, and re- elected in 1888.
He was elected to the legislature from Peacham in 1896, and took a conspicuous part in the work of that session. He was then chosen president of a board of five commis- sioners to superintend the normal schools in behalf of the state, and report their conditions and needs, and performed this work with char- acteristic thoroughness and ability. An able and eloquent orator, he was called to deliver the address at the centennial anniversary of Peacham academy in 1892. He has written for different periodicals, and lec- tured upon varions educational, so- cial, and political topics. He is a member of the Congregational church, and all his life he has la- bored in the Sunday-school. Mr. Bunker married, in 1869, Nellie, only daughter of Dr. Jeremiah and Adaline (Carroll) Blake, a lady of rare culture and character, a grad- uate of Mt. Holyoke, and a lineal de- scendant of the Carroll family of Revolutionary tame.
STEELE, ROBERT M., son of Mat- thew and Lillian (Calderwood) Steele, was born in Peacham, Sep- tember 27, 1866. He was the eldest son of a family of thirteen children. His early educational advantages were limited, for at nine years of age he was put to work out for farmers in Peacham, his wages going to his parents until he was of age. He continued to work out on farms until December, 1891, when he in- vested his well-earned wages in his present fine farm, one mile east of East Peacham. His farm slopes to the southeast, and is equally adapted to producing hay, corn, and grain.
He raises bountiful crops of hay. Six years ago he erected a large silo, and under his great industry and able management he has doubled the productions of the farm during the past dozen years. He now carries a stock of fifty head of cattle, including thirty-five grade Jersey cows, and is a stockholder and patron of the creamery. The farm contains a fine sugar place of seven hundred trees well set up with tin buckets and evaporator, and an excellent grade of sugar is produced. Mr. Steele owns a seventy-acre farm at East Peacham, and a lot of cedar land in Danville. He has remodeled and rebuilt his barn, which is now 42 by 130 feet, with double floors and entire basement, and has a com- modious farmhouse with the mod- ern improvements. He owns a splen- did farm team and equipment of machinery, including the MeCor- mick corn harvester, and a gasoline engine for cutting wood and ensilage and threshing grain. He married in 1889, Mary Ann Killop of Danville. They have two children: Agnes and Herbert. Mr. Steele has served as selectman and is recognized as a young man of unusual energy, who has made a decided financial success in farming, the result of the industry, economy, and good judg- ment of himself and wife.
BAYLEY, WALTER H., son of Ward S. Bayley, was born in Hard- wick in 1852. He completed his education at Peacham academy and for several years was engaged in teaching district and village schools.
He married Ellen L., daughter of Dr. Luther F. Parker of Peacham in 18:9. After farming several years on the paternal farm he moved to Peacham in 1886, rented
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the "Hale" house for three years and opened a summer boarding house. This was a roomy and sightly residence, originally built by Governor Mattocks. After the expiration of the lease Mr. Bayley purchased, renovated, and rebuilt the house, adding a second story and built the barn.
The Mountain View House, cen- trally located in this model rural village, is an ideal resort for rest and recreation. The scenery is fine, cuisine is excellent and every want is anticipated by Mr. Bayley
on which bridles and reins can catch and be broken, and because traces, whiffletrees and evener, one and all, may break and your horses will still control your carriage. It is hand- somely finished in burnished brass, nickle, or silver, with the best sec- ond growth hickory and gives prom- ise of securing an extensive use by the carriage manufacturers.
THE CALEDONIA COUNTY GRAMMAR SCHOOL, or Peacham Academy, as it is often called, has had a continuous existence of over one hundred years. In 1:95 it was
RESIDENCE OF WALTER H. BAYLEY.
and his amiable, intelligent wife, and you are soon made to feel per- fectly at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Bayley have an in- teresting family of six children, who are cheerful and courteous as- sistants in the care of the hotel and livery.
Mr. Bayley has recently invented "Bayley's Safety Carriage Yoke." A patent has been obtained and the manufacture has already begun at Wood's brass foundry, Lyndonville. Being readily attached to and de- tached from the end of the pole, it is safe because there is nothing
voted at a town-meeting to petition the legislature to establish the county grammar school of Caledonia County in Peacham, and the school was opened in 1797.
Since that time it has trained hundreds of young people, and has been the educational center for Peacham and the surrounding towns. It has had among its princi- pals the late President Bartlett of Dartmouth College, the late Presi- dent Thompson of Rose Polytechnic Institute, and the Hon. Charles A. Bunker.
The present building contains a
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hall, a school room, a reading room, a recitation room, and a laboratory for chemistry and physics.
Full preparation for college is af- forded by the course of study. Especial attention is also given to instructing pupils in the principles
George P. Blair of Barnet is secre- tary and treasurer. The faculty con- sists of Dwight G. Burrage, A. M., principal, and Miriam E. Dimond, A. M., preceptress.
KINERSON, RUSSELL B., son of James R. and Emily (Bickford)
PEACHAM ACADEMY.
of education and in preparing them for the county examinations. The principal object of the school, how- ever, is to fit its students for the highest usefulness and happiness in life.
Hon. Cloud Harvey of Barnet is president of the trustees, and Hon.
Kinerson, was born in Peacham, January 25, 1857.
Deacon J. R. Kinerson was a prominent citizen of Peacham, a forceful and energetic character. well known as the inventor of the Kinerson butter stamp and package.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
His grandfather, Joseph Kinerson, was a soldier of the Revolution.
Russell B. Kinerson is a lifelong citizen and farmer on the ancestral
RUSSELL B. KINERSON.
farm, one mile from Peacham Cor- ner. His education was completed at Peacham academy, under Princi- pal Charles A. Bunker.
He married, in 1882, Lucy C., daughter of Deacon Charles M. Bai- ley of East Hardwick. Her ances- tors were Revolutionary soldiers.
Russell B. Kinerson is one of three brothers who were reared upon the home farm, of which he has been the owner for the past six years. The farm is pleasantly located, one mile north of Peacham Corner, contains two hundred acres, and there are back lots of one hun- dred acres. It is conducted mainly as a dairy farm, with fifty head of cattle, including thirty-five high- grade Jersey cows and a small flock
of sheep. Dairying and the silo have greatly increased its produc- tions. Mr. Kinerson has held most of the town offices, including that of lister, school director, selectman for five years, and is the present representative of Peacham. He is a member of the Congregational church, and a loyal, active, and in- fluential citizen. Russell B. and Lucy Kinerson have had four chil- dren: Mary E., Annie B. (deceased), Ellen L., Philip B.
ESDEN, GEORGE W., son of Rob- ert and Eliza (Wright) Esden, was born in Ryegate, August 27, 1874. The Esdens are of the canny Scotch stock. James Esden, the first American ancestor, came from Glasgow and settled on a farm in Ryegate, near Groton, which has many years remained in the family name.
Robert Esden is an energetic and successful farmer, who resides near East Peacham, on the home farm of the famous radical statesman, Thad Stevens.
The Wrights are of stanch patri- otic native stock. David Wright. father of Mrs. Esden, and three of her brothers, fought in the Civil war. George W. is the youngest son of a family of two sons and three daughters. They are Carrie, Mrs. W. A. Ricker: Mattie, Mrs. E. W. Taft (deceased); Clarence R., George W. and Isabel G., wife of J. K. Williams of St. Paul. George W. Esden was educated at Peacham academy, and remained on the home farm during his minority. After working out two years he bought the East Peacham store in 1889, which he has since successfully con- ducted. It comprises the usual lines of the general country store, a
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varied, well-selected stock of staple goods, the more prominent features being dry goods, groceries, canned goods, boots and shce :. A capable, practical young man, well known and highly esteemed by a wide range of customers, he secures a good trade.
He was appointed postmaster of East Peacham May 1, 1900, and the store is the social center and news exchange of the village. Mr. Es- den married in 1896 Alzina, daugh- ter of J. P. Waterman of Thetford.
RICHTER, JOHN C. F., is the son of Frederick W. Richter, formerly a merchant in the town of Ortrand, in the kingdom of Saxony. Ile was born in 1862, attended the par- ish schools of his native town, and at the age of fourteen was appren- ticed for a term of four years to learn the mercantile business. Meanwhile, he pursued a commer- cial course of study, a prerequi- site for the position of mercan- tile clerk. This thorough elemen- tary and technical training is a spe- cial characteristic of the middle class North German immigrant. At the age of twenty-one, young Rich- ter bade farewell to friends and fatherland, took a steerage passage and arrived at Ca-tle Garden in June, 1883, a stranger in a strange land.
The second day after his arrival he met an agent, and engaged as a workman in the lumber mill at Gro- ton, Vermont. After working a few days his hand was smashed in a planer, and amputation became necessary. Friendless and pennile=s, without a word of English on his tongue, the outlook was not hopeful, but he found friends, learned to speak English, and in six weeks was
again working his planer with one hand, and remained there two years or more. At length the opportunity came to turn his mercantile train- ing to account, and in 1886 he came to Peacham, and engaged with the well-known merchant. I. L. Mc- Clary, and served faithfully as elerk seven years. Then Mr. Richter re- turned to his German home on a visit.
In 1893 he purchased Mr. Mc- Clary's stock of goods, and now conducts a lively trade in the lines of dry goods, clothing, and furnish- ing goods, toilet articles, boots and shoes, wall paper, paints and oils, groceries, hardware, crockery, and patent medicines, carrying the most
JOHN C. F. RICHTER.
extensive and varied stock of goods in town.
Mr. Richter now occupies spacious quarters adjoining the Post-office
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
block, which he has remodeled and enlarged. He is a prompt and re- liable business man, and has a good social and financial standing. He has been a naturalized citizen more than a dozen years, and is the local agent for the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance company.
HUTCHINSON, CHARLES ASH- LEY, son of Samuel Hutchinson of Norwich, Vermont, was born in that
CHARLES A. HUTCHINSON.
town in 1858, in the old family homestead. He completed his edu- cation at the Normal Classical and English school under C. E. Putney.
At twenty-three years of age, Mr. Hutchinson came to Peacham, pur- chased the Gates farm near East Peacham, and two years later mar- ried Irene, daughter of Sprague and Incia Harriman.
He was one of the first in town
to adopt the silo, was a director four years in the Barnet creamery, and is a charter member, stockholder, and director of the South Peacham creamery.
Mr. Hutchinson sold the farm in 1898, and the same year bought the South Peacham store, which he has since conducted. His stock is well adapted to the needs of this farm- ing community, and as Mr. Hutchin- son is a most genial and acommodat- ing salesman, he secures a liberal and increasing patronage.
He is a stalwart Republican in politics, and for more than twenty- five years a member of the Congre- gational church, and its treasurer. He has frequently been intrusted with official duties, was chairman of the school board three years, chair- man of the board of listers three years, and many years town auditor, positions which he creditably filled. He is now postmaster at South Peacham, and is one of its most useful and active citizens.
TRUSSELL. JACOB. There is a dash of the fighting, praying blood of the old English Puritan in the veins of Jacob Trussell. He is a descendant of Sir William Trussell, speaker of the house of commons, whose stern aspect quailed King Charles I. His grandfather was Jacob Trussell, an early pioneer of Danville. His father, Joshua Trus- sell, a hatter by trade, resided in Sutton when the subject of this sketch was born in 1833. He lived with an uncle until he was sixteen years old, and then struck out for himself. He worked on farms dur- ing the summer seasons and com- pleted his education at Phillips academy at Danville and Peacham academy. During more than a doz-
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en years he enjoyed the excellent training and experience of teaching district and village schools. Mean- while he studied law with Mordecai Hale and Ed. Harvey, was admitted to the bar in 1860 and commenced practice in Peacham. His chosen life-work was soon interrupted by the call of duty and he enlisted in Company D, First Vermont cavalry, Captain A. W. Preston, was elected orderly sergeant and mustered in in November, 1861. These rough- riding Green Mountain boys, mounted on gamey Morgans, in- scribed upon their banners seventy- two battles and engagements. Lieutenant Trussell was the fortu- nate possessor of a strong. speedy bay that after the disastrous fight at Broad Run ran eight miles to the Union lines with his master, who barely escaped capture by Moseby's troop.
At Cedar Creek, Lieutenant Trussell, commanding Company D, riding in advance of his troop, halt- ed and captured a Confederate bat- tery. The records show that the First Vermont cavalry that day cap- tured twenty-three pieces of artil- lery and other munitions of war. After the close of the war Mr. Trussell made an expedition to Virginia City, Montana, driving 1,500 miles across the plains. At Sioux City he took charge of a gang of men who were completing the railroad to Omaha. Ile then en- gaged as contractor on the Union Pacific railroad until it was com- pleted to Ogden, Utah, when he re- turned to Peacham and engaged in farming fourteen years. Occasion- ally he acted as counsel and trans- acted legal business for several years at Danville. For several years
he was engaged in trade with his oldest son at South Peacham.
Mr. Trussell was united in wed- lock in 1881 to Flora M. Blanch- ard of Peacham, who died in 1886, leaving two sons, Nathaniel B. and William. He married for his sec- ond wife Mrs. Marietta C. Wal- bridge. Mr. Trussell represented Peacham as a representative in 1884. He is a member of Passump- sic lodge, F. & A. M., of St. Johns- bury, of Stevens post, G. A. R. and is a good type of the staunch and resolute veteran.
STANNARD.
Population, Census of 1900, 222.
The town of Stannard was grant- ed, August 19, 1867, and was named in honor of General Stannard, one of Vermont's general officers in the Civil war. Prior to 1867 the town had been known as Goshen Gore, deriving its name from the town to which it formerly belonged. By a peculiar act of the state legislature, this Gore, together with one set off in Washington county and another in Addison county, seventy miles distant, were incorporated into a town by the name of Goshen, char- tered February 1. 1792, and re- chartered November 1, 1798. The Gore, now the town of Stannard, was set off from the town of Goshen in 1854.
Elihu Sabin built the first log cabin here in 1802, and remained seven years. His daughter Mary, was the first white child born in the town.
WEED, ALBION L., a son of Ephraim G. and Roxana (Hood) Weed, was born at Goshen Gore (now Stannard). July 5, 1848.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
Mr. Weed's paternal great-grand- father, Charles Weed, was a soldier of the Revolution and was with Warren at the battle of Bunker Hill. Isaac Weed, son of Charles, settled at Topsham, where he re- sided until his death, with the ex-
children were born to them: Ed- son, Albion L., and Louisa W. (Mrs. Martin Ayer of Stannard).
Albion L. Weed attended the public schools of his native town and has followed thorough and modern farming on the place where
J
1
ALBION L. WEED.
ception of a short time that he re- he was born. The farm is composed sided at Stannard; his son, Ephraim, of 150 aeres and keeps twenty-five head of stock. was born at Topsham in 1822 and located at Goshen Gore in 1843. In 1820 he was united in mar- riage to Mary E. Porter of Whee- lock, a daughter of James and Orphia (Hill) Porter, and a mater- nal granddaughter of Dr. Hill of Here he always followed farming and selling farming tools. He mar- ried Roxana Hood, a daughter of William Hood of Topsham. Three
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CALEDONIA COUNTY.
Danville. To Mr. and Mrs. Weed one child was born, Clyde S., born November, 1889, died February ?, 1896.
Mr. Weed has always been active and public spirited, and has served Stannard as auditor, lister, overseer for quarter of a century, selectman, and in 1878 represented the town in the state legislature.
When the need of a church build- ing at Stannard was felt, Mr. Weed promptly gave the Methodist so- ciety the site, and not only was the committee for its erection, but con- tributed liberally to the expense of the splendid and cosy house of wor- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Weed are both active and working members of the Methodist church.
BATTEN, ALLEN S., a son of James and Susan (Hood) Batten, was born at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1844,and attended the schools of Boston, Topsham, and Stannard. When six years of age he came from Boston to Topsham with his parents and six years later they lo- cated in Stannard. In 1863 Mr. Batten enlisted in Company C, Third Vermont volunteer infantry, and served to the end of the war, being discharged as corporal of his company, May 5, 1864. At the battle of the Wilderness he received a wound on the head, and was sent to the Carver hospital at Washing- ton, and later transferred to the Chester hospital at Chester, Penn- sylvania, and then to the hospital at Montpelier. The following Sep- tember he returned to his company and was mustered out with the reg- iment in July, 1865.
In November, 1865, he married Fanny W. Sawyer of Topsham. They have had seven children, four
of whom survive: Cora, Mrs. Ever- ett Guptill of Manchester, New Hampshire; Ernest V., of Corinth; Abbie E., Mrs. Charles Sternburg of Hardwick, and Daisy D., Mrs. George Emery of Manchester, New Hampshire.
Mr. Batten has served Stannard as auditor, Ister, clerk, treasurer, school director, and in 1902 as rep-
ALLEN S. BATTEN.
resentative, and justice of the peace for the past six years.
PATCH FAMILY, THE. Thomas Patch, an early New England pio- neer, had the distinction of cutting the first tree in the town of War- ren, New Hampshire. He came from Hollis and cleared the land for a homestead. Here he raised a considerable family, one of whom was Jacob, an industrious and wide- awake farmer, who possessed both a sturdy body, an active brain, and sound judgment. lfe held the va-
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
rious town offices, represented War- ren in the New Hampshire legisla- ture, and in 1840 located in Stan- nard.
Elwin Hayden Patch, son of Ja- cob, was born October 3, 1828, and came with his parents to Stannard in 1840. He has always followed farming. He inherited much of the sturdy makeup of his ancestors, and has been a man of acts rather than words. He has held various town offices and was postmaster six years.
March 3, 1860, he married Mary E. Bradbury, of East Orange, Ver- mont. Four children were born to them, three of whom are still liv- ing: Rosa L., Mrs. Leon Amesdon of Walden; Nettie S., Mrs. John B.
ELWIN H. PATCH.
Lumsden of Stannard, and Laban J. Mrs. Patch died June 9, 1895.
Laban J. Patch was born in 1871, and received his education in the
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