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 34
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 34
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 34
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
GRANBY.
Population, Census of 1900, 182.
The town of Granby was granted to Elihu Hall and sixty-three others, October 10, 1761, by Benning Wentworth, the royal governor of New Hampshire under King George III.
Joseph Herrick and Benjamin Cheney were the first settlers of the town, and at a meeting held in Guildhall, June 14, 1790, they were granted two lots each for " being the first settlers of Granby."
At a meeting held in Guildhall, June 2, 1791, a committee was ap- pointed to lay out and clear a road through Granby and complete the same as soon as possible. It was completed before snow fell that fall, and at a cost of #174 13s 6d.
The first birth in the town was that of Herd Cheney, son of Ben- jamin and Eunice Cheney, and oc- curred September 16, 1791. Anna Pike's death, July 13, 1795, is re- corded as the first in the town. The following year the first wedding took place, when Samuel Hart and Susanna Iferrick were joined in wedlock March 31.
It was not until March, 1798, that the first town-meeting was held.
The town, as then organized, con- tinued to hold annual meetings un- til 1815, when the organization was abandoned and the records turned over to the county clerk. On Jan- mary 10, 1822, the town was reor- ganized. The organization of that time has continued to the present time.
Granby has produced some splen- did sturdy sons, whose intelligence, strength of character and influence have been potent in the affairs of the county. Perhaps no better ex- ample is found than that of the Wells family.
WELLS, LooMIS, late of Granby, was born in 1815 at Tolland, Massa- chusetts, and came to Vermont when a boy, locating for a short time at Lunenburg, then removing to Vic- tory, when that place was an unor- ganized township. When in 1840 that town was organized Loomis Wells was chosen as its first repre- sentative to the general assembly of Vermont.
Ile soon after located in Granby, where he at once received a most conspicuous place among his fellow- townsmen. For thirty years he was one of the selectmen, four times he was sent to the general assembly as their representative, and in 1820 was a member of the constitutional convention. For forty years he or some member of his family has been postmaster of Granby.
Mr. Wells was thrice married. His first wife was Adeline Farr of Littleton, New Hampshire, whom he married December 20, 1842. She bore him six children, Jean (Mrs. Melvin A. Willson of Granby), Bet- sey E., Incy, Addie, Joseph L., and
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
Hettie (Mr>. Charles W. Matthews of Granby). Mrs. Wells died April 4, 18:4, and he married for his sec- ond wife Mrs. Hannah C. (Redfield)
Mr. Wells married Lella 1. Bruce of Brownington. They had no children. For his second wife he married Eva L. Parker of Sutton, in
---
LOOMIS WELLS.
JOSEPH L. WELLS.
Farnham of St. Johnsbury. She died November 24, 1879, and he married Lucy I. Wilson of Barton. Mr. Wells died September 24, 1890.
WELLS, JOSEPH LOOMIS, son of Loomis and Adeline (Farr) Wells, was born in Granby, October 20, 1853. He attended the public schools of Granby and St. Johnsbury academy. After completing his ed- ucation he took up farming and the lumber business. Along both lines Mr. Wells has been a conspicuous success. He has a farm of some 450 acres, the finest barn in town, a sugar place containing a thousand splendid trees, and keeps a hundred head of stock. This splendid and modernly conducted farm is a pro- ducer to a marked extent. In 1829
1881. They have had three chil- dren, Edith L. (deceased), Dwight L., and Edna 1.
MATTHEWS, CHARLES W., was born in Granby, August 31, 1851, son of Jonathan and Nancy T. (Bell) Matthews. The Matthews family have long been residents of Granby, Jonathan locating in the town in 1838.
Charles W. Matthews received his education in the district schools of his native town and at St. Johnsbury academy, and then took up farming by settling on the old homestead. He has held all the various town of- fices. For nearly twenty years he has been town clerk and treasurer. He has served as county commis- sioner and represented his town in
41
ESSEX COUNTY.
the general assembly of Vermont in 1880 and again in 1892. Mr. Matthews is a man highly esteemed by his fellow- townsmen and his ad- vice and judgment are frequently sought and always found sound.
June 25, 1879, he was united in marriage with Hettie, youngest daughter of Loomis and Adeline (Farr) Wells. They have one child, Leila. Mrs. Matthews has for many years served as postmistress of Granby.
GLEASON, B. C., was born in Lunenburg in 1845, son of Charles and Harriet (Silsby) Gleason. When fifteen years of age he came to Granby, where he has always made his home.
B. C. Gleason enlisted from St. Johnsbury, Vt., as a private, No- vember 6, 1863, in Company B, Eleventh regiment, Vermont volun- teers, and was mustered into service December 5, 1863, under Capt. Ed- ward P. Lee-the regiment under the command of Colonel James M. Warren. Was assigned to the Ver- mont brigade, Second division, Sixth corps, from April 1 to June 1, 1864. He was confined in hospital at Georgetown, suffering with small- pox. After recovering he returned to his regiment and participated in the battles of Weldon Railroad, June 23, 1864; Fort Stevens, Mary- land, July 11, 1864; Charlestown, West Virginia, August 21, 1864; Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Virginia, September 21, 22. 1864; Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864; he was slightly wounded in the foot Sep- tember 19, 1864, by a gun shot: April 2, 1865, was in the battle of Petersburg: followed Lee in April,
1865, till he surrendered. After Lee surrendered he was put on a march to reinforce General Sher- man, making a march of 110 miles. The order was countermanded. He fell back to Richmond, Virginia : then was put on a hard march to Washington, District of Columbia; then went on the big review in the city of Washington.
In 18:5 Mr. Gleason was married to Ella Emery of Guildhall and has had two children, Walter H. and Hattie D., and an adopted daughter, Gertrude M.
He has always followed farming and his sound judgment and good business qualities have long been recognized by his fellow-townsmen, and he has been frequently called to serve them in public office. He has served as selectman three years, school director three years, lister two years, and in 1900 represented Granby in the state legislature. In each position care, judgment, and absolute integrity has ever charac- terized his acts.
The home farm comprises some 200 acres, and thirty head of cattle are kept: there is also a good sugar place on the premises.
Walter H. Gleason is now serving Granby as road commissioner.
WILLSON, MELVIN A., was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, July 31, 1847, son of Sydney and Lucy (Boutwell) Willson.
At six years of age he was left to his own resources by the death of his father, and located in Vietory, Vermont. A very little education was obtained at Lunenburg and Lyndon, but nature had richly en- dowed him with that which no school could give, a sound, solid
42
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
common sense and a keen and ae- curate knowledge of men.
September 13, 1864, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in Company K, Eighth regiment, Vermont vol- unteers. He saw service in the Shenandoah valley and was dis- charged from the service, May 13, 1865. When he returned from the war he located in Granby, purchas- ing his present farm March 6th. 1822. He married Jean, daughter of Loomis and Adeline (Farr) Wells. Seven children have been born to them, Addie L., Sidney L., Leonard H .. Samuel G., Oscar MI., John H .. and Dora M.
In politie s Mr. Willson is a Re- publican of the clean, straightfor- ward and independent type, who
MELVIN A. WILLSON.
places publie duty above party obli- gations. He has held the various town offices and in 1884 represent- ed Granby in the general assembly.
SHORES, ARTHUR, a native of Granby and son of Wilbur and Flora (Wilson) Shores, received his education in the public schools
ARTHUR SHORES.
of the town, and has always been a farmer. Has served his town six years as a school director, two years as selectman, and in 1902 repre- sented Granby in the state legisla- ture.
He married Mamie Austin in 1895 and their union has been blessed by two children, Vernon A. and Vera B.
VICTORY. Population, Census of 1900, 321.
The town of Victory was granted to Captain Ebenezer Fisk and sixty- four others in the fall of 1780 and September 6, 1:81, the charter was issued. The township embraces 25,540 acres of land, the greater part of which has been lumbered ; the surface of the town is moun-
43
ESSEX COUNTY.
tainous. Victory has some splendid farms and a large sawmill at Da- mon's Crossing. A railroad runs nearly the entire length of the town, thus affording ample facilities for handling the lumber industry.
Victory dates her first settlement from 1812, when James Elliot lo- cated here, his son, Curtis Elliot, being the first child born in the town. Victory was organized in 1841. The meeting for that pur- pose was called by Ansel Hannum, J. P .; Loomis Wells was chosen first town clerk and treasurer. March 24, 1858, the first post-office in the town was established and Nott S. Damon was made postmaster.
The people of Victory are of the sturdy New England type, who pos- sess much energy and ability. Good schools are maintained under the able direction of Mrs. Daniel J. Lunnie, who has done much for the cause of education in the town.
FORD, CHARLES H., son of George W. and Susan (Howe) Ford, was born October 11th, 1845, in Holden, Massachusetts. He comes of good New England stock. His father was a worthy farmer and a soldier who served in the Four- teenth New Hampshire Volunteer regiment until he was discharged for disability, and died four years after his return from the army, at the age of fifty-three. Susan Howe Ford traces a direct lineage to the original ancestor who landed from the May- flower, and is still living with her son, with mental faculties bright and well preserved, at the venerable age of eighty-four. Charles H. Ford resided in Holden with the family until he was eleven years old, and subsequently three years in Kirby, Vermont, and two years in
Concord. Enlisting in August, 1864, at the age of nineteen in the Fourth Massachusetts cavalry, he was soon assigned to detached service as a mounted courier at First division headquarters, Twenty-fourth Army corps, where he witnessed and participated in the stirring events of the last great advance on Rich- mond and Petersburg, saw the sur- render of Lee at Appomattox, and was honorably discharged at Rich- mond, Virginia, May 22d, 1865. After his return from the service he was for a time ward master in the Massachusetts asylum for the insane at Worcester. He married Miss Viella Farmer of Plymouth, New Hampshire, in 1866, and engaged in farming. He moved to North Con- cord, Vermont, in 1843, and after ten years of hard and successful work as a farmer and teamster, bought his present farm at Victory hill. It is a good upland dairy farm of 200 acres, with sugar place and orchard, and Mr. Ford, a thrifty and careful farmer, has greatly im- proved it. Mr. Ford has been an important factor in the affairs of Victory, and has filled every office in the gift of his townsmen except town clerk and superintendent, and has often declined public office. In 1888 he was a member of the legis- lature and served with industry and conscientiousness.
Charles H. and Viella (Farmer) Ford are the parents of eight chil- dren, six of whom are living: Will- iam H. is a prosperous merchant and manufacturer at Lowell, Massachusetts, an inventor and superintendent of a plant for the manufacture of jewelry; George O. is located as a farmer near the pater- nal farm; Mattie M. is the wife of
44
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
Daniel Murchie of Victory: Flora J. is the wife of Charles A. McFarland of St. Johnsbury. The two sturdy sons. Clarence E. and Harry 1 .. , aged
CHARLES H. FORD.
respectively seventeen and fourteen, are able assistants of their father on the home farm, and participate in the enjoyments of a modest compe- tence and hospitable home.
RAINEY, CHARLES H., born in Pickering. Canada West, in 1854. son of William and Sarah (Ed- wards) Rainey. He received his education in the schools of his na- tive town. When fifteen years of age he went to New Hampshire. Fifteen years ago he located in Vic- tory, where he has always enjoyed the esteem of his fellow-townsmen. For three years he served the town as a school director and for the past ten years has been constable and tax collector, which responsible position he still holds. In 1900 he
served as town representative in the Vermont legislature, the duties of which position he discharged with fidelity and ability.
April 21, 1889, Mr. Rainey was married to Della Allin of Maid- stone. Vermont.
Mr. Rainey enjoys a wide acquaintance and is a wide-awake and valued citizen of sound judg- ment, whose counsel is often sought in many matters of both a private
CHARLES H. RAINEY.
and public nature. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity.
BOYCE, HEMAN J., was born in Ilyde Park, Vermont, June 29, 1862, son of Joseph D. and Ellen (Manning) Boyce. Joseph D. Boyce served two years in Company 1. First Vermont cav- alry. This famous regiment was in seventy-one engagements. Al- though receiving a severe sabre wound, Mr. Boyce served his en-
4.5
ESSEX COUNTY.
listment and was mustered out at the close of the war.
Heman J. Boyce received his edu- cation in the district schools of Hyde Park. In 1883 he came to Victory to work in the mills. Here he met and married, in 1886, Susan E. Buckminster of that town, daughter of Salmon and Harriet (Morse) Buckminster, both natives of Con- cord, Vermont, who removed to Vic- tory in 1868, to the farm now occu- pied by Mr. and Mrs. Boyce.
Mr. Boyce has served his adopted town three years as one of the select- men and three years as road com- missioner. They have two children. Ray E., born in 1888, and Marjorie C., born in 1892. Mrs. Boyce i-
HEMAN J. BOYCE.
now serving as town clerk and treas- urer of Victory.
GALLUP. O. M. was born at Wakefield, N. B., March 21, 1838, son of Amos and Emoline Gallup.
Mr. Gallup's father was a prominent farmer and business man and the son inherited much of the push, en- ergy, and get-there qualities of the
O. M. GALLUP.
older Gallup. He early commenced railroad building, his first work be- ing the Hopkinton & Milford rail- road. He next built the Acton & Nashua railroad, then went to Woods River Junction, R. I., and constructed the railroad there, and afterwards the larger part of the Kingston & Narragansett road. IIe soon came to Vermont and built forty-one miles of road, from the town of Johnson to the lake. H. then constructed the Profile & Fran- conia Notch railroad, opening up this important summer resort in the White Mountains. Later he built the doeks at Swanton. and the Champlain House at Maquam bay. His next enterprise was the link connecting Bethlehem, N. H., with
46
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
the main line, and after this he con- structed thirteen miles of railroad to Maquam bay and Rouse's Point.
He came to Victory in 1880, and, with C. H. Stevens, bought the mill now known as Gallup's Mills. At this time there was not a good high- way in the place. He at once, and at his own expense, surveyed a route for a railroad, and by his own per- sonal exertions secured a large part of the subscription for the enter- prise, contributing $1,500 on his own account. Then he took the contract to build the road at a losing price, that the town might receive the benefit of it. In 1893 he built the road to the marble quarries at Rutland.
Mr. Gallup served the town of Victory in the Vermont legislature of 1892. He has always taken great interest in every movement that would benefit the community and has ever been a liberal contribu- tor to all worthy enterprises, having donated land for the schools and churches of the place.
LUNNIE, DANIEL J. The pres- ent representative of the town of Victory to the general assembly of Vermont, Daniel J. Lunnie, was born in Maple Grove, New Ireland, P. Q., January, 1860, son of James and Jane (Lynaugh) Lunnie.
In 1881 Mr. Lunnie settled in Victory, and has served the town as lister, school director, overseer of the poor and selectman. He is affiliated with the Odd Fellows.
Mr. Lunnie has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Anna McGinnis whom he married in 1882. By this union one child was born, Effie, now Mrs. Stephen Havi- land of West Concord, Vt. In 1888 he was united in marriage to Miss
Almira Ranney of West Concord, Vt. Three children have blessed this union, Hazel M., Pearl M., and Harold W.
Mrs. Lunnie is the present super-
DANIEL J. LUNNIE,
intendent of schools of the town of Victory and has for many years been a valued and popular teacher. At the March meeting of 1903, Mrs. Lunnie was elected town clerk, but owing to her many duties resigned, and the board of selectmen appoint- ed Mrs. Heman J. Boyce to fill out the term.
LYNAUGH, JOHN R. Mr. Ly- naugh was born in Canada in 1831, and came to Kirby when seventeen years of age. He served a year and a half in the Civil war. Twenty- six years ago he located in Victory, where he has always since that time resided. He served the town as justice of peace, town grand juror,
47
ESSEX COUNTY.
and is now serving his third term as selectman.
Forty-seven years ago Mr. Lynaugh married Bridget Cassedy of Wolfe- town, Can. By this union eleven children have been born. Two died in infancy, and Alice M. died in April, 1892. The living children are Mary J., wife of Peter Kennedy of Kirby; John G .: Carrie, wife of Frank Kallnm; Frank, Allen, Ar- thur, Frederick, and Dora, wife ot Lizzem Forrest.
RIVERS, DENNIS. The subject of this sketch was born in Victory in 1870, son of Frederick and Eliza 1. (Isham) Rivers. IIe attended the public schools of Victory and has always been identified with farm and mill work.
DENNIS RIVERS.
He was united in marriage May 2, 1894, with Miss May Jock of Con- cord, Vermont, and by the union they have one child, a daughter, Mil- dred G.
Mr. Rivers is affiliated with the local lodge of Odd Fellows and Re- bekahs at West Concord.
DUNN, C. C., was born in Gran- by, May 2, 1869, son of Albion J.
1
C. C. DUNN.
and Lucretia (Chamberlain) Dunn; attended the public schools of Gran- by, in which place he resided, until 1894, when he located in Vietory. For the past seven years he has con- ducted a blacksmith shop in Vie- tory, which is now the only one in town on the Granby road from Gallup's Mills. While a resident of the town of Granby, Mr. Dunn served on the school committee and as district clerk, and since his resi- dence in Victory has served as jus- tice of the peace two years, and is now serving his third year as select- man.
October 1, 1893, he married Miss Bessie C. Anstin of Granby, and by
48
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
this union four children have been born, Lysle C., Elba A. (deceased), Lelia E., and Orien S.
CANAAN.
Population, Census of 1900, 934.
The town of Canaan was char- tered February 25, 1:82, to John Wheeler, but had been previously granted to Jonathan Hunt and oth- ers. The town of Norfolk, which was chartered to Bazaleel Wood- ward, February 27, 1782, was later annexed to Canaan.
The town was first settled by Si- las Sargent, John Hugh, and Hub- bard Spencer. Being a frontier town, it was subject to much dis- turbance in the War of 1812.
Canaan furnished thirty-four men for the Rebellion, seven of whom were either killed or died from dis- ease in the service, eight were un- der twenty years of age, while four were over forty.
On fields of battle they won high renown,
And made their names an honor to their town.
In 1885 Canaan adopted the pub- lic school system, and the following year had five common schools, with one hundred and seventy-three pu- pils.
Canaan has furnished northern Vermont with many notable men, particularly in the mercantile and lumber business.
The town is prettily situated on the Connecticut river, and its broad and beautiful meadow farms, unsur- passed roads, and grand mountain scenery, all go to make up an ideal residential and farming community.
No discord has the sighing reed, None has the running rills, None is there in the wild birds' song That echoes from the hills.
GREEN, HON. CARLOS H., was born in Warren, Vermont, April 23, 1851, son of Charles and Eliza 1. (Brooks) Green. He received his education in the district schools and at Colebrook academy.
Closely identified with Canaan's, and in fact northern Vermont's, ma- terial prosperity, is Carlos II. Green. At thirteen he came with his par- ents to Canaan and as soon as he finished his school days he entered the lumber business for his father. He remained here until 1872, when he gained his majority and literally " struck out for himself." He nat- urally took up the line with which he was most familiar and entered the lumber business. Being pos- sessed with a good amount of grit, common sense and a splendid physique it was only natural that success should reward his indomit- able will and persistence; courteous, generous, and always willing to aid a worthy cause, soon made the name of Carlos Green a household word in northern Essex.
In 1888 he and his brother, Ed- win, opened a general store and so rapidly did their business grow that at one time they were conducting two stores in Canaan and one at West Stewartstown. In 1889 he was appointed postmaster of Canaan for four years and was again ap- pointed by President Mckinley.
In 1897 he and Edwin dissolved partnership and Carlos continued the dry goods branch of the busi-
CARLOS II. GREEN.
50
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
ness until 1899 when he sold out to Edmonds Brothers.
Since retiring from mercantile pursuits Mr. Green has been exten- sively engaged in the real estate and lumber business and last year cut 200 tons of hay on his splendid farm.
Mr. Green has never sought polit- ical office, but one so thoroughly in sympathy with the material inter- est of a community could hardly avoid the call from his townsmen and consequently he has held vari- ous town offices and in 1900 repre- sented Essex county in the state senate, where his keen perception and splendid business training. coupled with his intimate knowledge of men made him a valned member of that honorable body.
May 17, 1879, he married Julia 1. Dorman of Bury, Province of Quebec, daughter of Thomas and Caroline (Parsons) Dorman. They have had two children born to them, both of whom died in infancy.
For the past four years Mr. Green has been vice-president of the Cole- brook National bank.
MORRISON, HERBERT S.,* son of Sidney and Lucinda Morrison. was born in Canaan, Vermont, Sep- tember 12th, 1859, and attended the public schools of his native town and Colebrook academy of Cole- brook, New Hampshire. Farming and lumbering has been his occu- pation. Ile has held the various town offices and while a Democrat of the most outspoken and pro- nounced type in a town two thirds Republican, he was elected to rep- resent Canaan in the general as- sembly of Vermont in 1902 by more than two to one over the Republi-
can nominee. He is very popular because his life is one that com- mands universal respect and popu- larity. Blunt, vigorous, and loyal-
HERBERT S. MORRISON.
ty are the qualities that have made " Bert " Morrison hosts of solid and lifelong friends.
His father, Sidney Morrison, son of Joshua. represented Canaan in the legislature in 1814 and the grandfather, Joshua. represented the town several times; in fact, as one of the old citizens remarked to the writer, " Joshua Morrison went to Montpelier whenever he wanted to."
IIerbert S. Morrison married. in 1882, Hattie J. Gilman of C'anaan, a highly esteemed and much beloved lady of culture and high ideals. Their union was truly blessed by the birth of a son, Sidney Leon. now a student at New Hampton-
* Sketch by William H. Jeffrey.
51
ESSEX COUNTY.
New Hampshire. Mrs. Morrison died October 11th, 1900, and left this world better for having lived in it.
For the past two seasons Mr.
BUCK. W. M., proprietor of the C'anaan House and Metallak Lodge, possesses two of the most popular and best equipped hostelries in northern New England.
I
CANAAN HOUSE.
Morrison has been manager of the now justly famed Cold Spring House at Leach Pond, Averill,
The Canaan House is pleasantly situated and conveniently appointed and makes an ideal home for the
METALLAK LODGE.
where he has " met and con- quered " all who have been fortu- nate enough to spend a few days at this beautiful playground.
weary traveler. The cuisine is under the charge of an able steward who knows just how to cater to the traveling publie. The house is one
52
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
fourth of a mile from the West Stewartstown station on the Maine Central railroad and a free coach meets all trains to convey guests 10 and from the house.
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.