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 37
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 37
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 37
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willing to establish his salary at the said sum, then, and in that case, this society agree that the said Mr. Willard shall not be considered (un- less he chooses) any longer our gos- pel minister. Two thirds of the above mentioned sums to be paid in good merchantable wheat, at cur- rent prices annually " (the rest in money).
Dr. Willard graduated at Yale, 1:82. ordained. 1286, and settled at Lunenburg March 31, 1802. He died in January, 1826.
In the fall of 1902 this old socie- ty-rich in history and closely iden- tified with nearly every family of the town for more than a century, held a memorial exercise at which many able speakers reviewed the various events and eulogized those who had been prominent and had been called from their earthly home; but to Franklin Bell, a man of long years of experience and observation. was left the historic review of the society for nearly three quarters of a century. We have been fortunate indeed in finding Mr. Bell's mann- script and we quote liberally from his remarks:
"Old things hare passed away
And all things have become new."
" I look back sixty-five years and I see the old wood-colored church, with its porch and broad stone steps in front. I can see the old horse- block at the southwest corner, built up three feet high with stone steps, where women mounted and dis- mounted from their horses :- as there were no carriages, with the ex- ception of an occasional two-wheeled shay. The wives and daughters came to church, in many instances,
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ESSEX COUNTY.
riding behind their husbands or fathers; then the horse block was an important feature.
" I will recall some of those who helped to build up this church and community.
"Space will allow me to mention but a part of them as they come up before me. Right directly in front across the aisle was the pew of Deacon Reuben Chandler, in which I see seated Mr. and Mrs. Whipple, father and mother of Mrs. Chandler; Deacon Reuben and his worthy wife and their family of sons and daughters, William, John, Maria, Joel, Norman, and Jennie. Maria passed away many years ago. A charming young lady, mourned by many loving friends. Norman went West as a physician and laid down his life there, and four are still honored members of the com- munities in which they live. { speak of this family particularly as it seems to .me they were all at church, or most of them, every Sun- day.
" I see at the south end the two pews side by side of Wendall and Mitchell Silsby, who raised large families of children, who have all gone before, and their grandchil- dren are now active members of this community. I see in the middle of the house Colburn Hartshorn, the father of eleven sons, who grew to be men of business, and have passed away. I see on the east side Dea- con Asa Clarke, who was a pillar in this church. With his family of sons he went in 1837 twenty miles west of Milwaukee, six miles from any white inhabitant, among In- dians and wolves, to help build up the country aright. Spencer, his brother, who was associated with
him on the Bow farm; remained and' raised a large family of sons and daughters and did a great work to help the prosperity of the town,. and built this edifice. Two of his sons were prominent in this- church. Deacon John went to. New Orleans as captain of Co. K, of the Eighth Vermont regiment, and laid down his life for his country. George went away for his health and was never able to return to the old home. I see over beyond the pul- pit Judge Samuel Gates, one of the first settlers of the town and who built the first frame house and en- dured the privations and hardships of the wilderness. He had two sons, Deacon Samuel, and William, and one daughter, who married Dr. The- ron Webb, who was long a physician of this and adjoining towns. Mrs. Webb was a very exemplary Chris- tian.
" Deacon Samuel Gates, Jr., mar- ried Gerishia Clark and had a large family. George W. was born in @ log house in the corner of what is now Silsby brothers' pasture, on Baldwin hill. He was a very ac- tive, enterprising man. He had al- lied himself with the Methodist church while young, and did per- haps more than any other man in securing the erection of the present. church, with means and influence. He was a prominent singer and how well I remember when I went to> the chapel on quarterly meeting. day how he would lead in sing- ing, -. Alas and did my Saviour bleed and did my Sovereign die.'
"C'atherine married Nathaniel Waldo French, who was an active- business man of this town and an honored member of this church and contributed largely and freely
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to its support. He died at Lewis- ton several years ago, honored and respected by all who knew him. Mrs. French has spent the most of her time with her niece, Mrs. Briet- ling. She is now with her son, George F., strong in mind, at the age of ninety-three years-the last of that hardy family.
"I see Father Glines, then in the prime of life, walk se- dately up the aisle and deposit that
ALDEN BALCH.
tall bell-shaped hat on the shelf at the side of the pulpit, and climb those narrow stairs until he was well above his congregation. He was the first minister I knew and I looked upon him with something akin to reverence. Although I did get tired before we had sat out two long sermons and the accompani- ments, I think he was one of the most sincere men I ever knew. He was sometimes very pointed in his discourses.
" Mr. Glines and his sainted wife, on a meager salary of three hundred dollars, raised a large fam- ily, and were always ready to assist in every good work. He was very cordial and as he took your hand the invariable inquiry was, 'Are you well. Are your folks well.' But like all other things the old must pass away and a new genera- tion comes forward to demand new things. Mrs. Glines deserves more than a passing notice. Beside tak- ing care of and raising her large family of children, she did more for the advancement of the best inter- ests of the community than any other woman I ever knew.
"Old things hare passed away And all things have become new."
We cannot close this brief sketch without a mention of Lunenburg's benefactor, Alden Balch. Mr. Balch was born in Lunenburg in 1830, son of William Balch. He at- tended the schools of his native town. Ile was a thrifty farmer and believed in saving for a rainy day. He died February 2, 1903, and left an estate of about $30,000. He never married. In his will he gave Lunenburg $2,000 for a public li- brary building,-which is now in course of construction-the Congre- gational society $2,000, the Metho- dist society $2,000, and a small be- quest to the Grand Army and the Women's Relief corps.
From a scenic point of view Lun- enburg is certainly unsurpassed in northern New England. Mr. Wil- liam E. Balch, an artist of ability, has made especially for this work two views of Cat-bow brook, which we give in the accompanying illus- tration.
Two VIEWS OF CAT-BOW BROOK, LUNENBURG. Photographs made for " Successful Vermonters" by William E. Balch
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
HALE, HON. FRANKLIN DA- RIUS,* son of Sprague Taylor and Nancy May (Moulton) Hale, was born in Barnet, Vermont, March ?, 1854. The parents of Mr. Hale possessed in full measure the stal- wart virtues of rural Vermonters: patriotism, hospitality, industry, and sincerity, and the strong im- press of right parental training has always been manifested in the life and character of their children who hold their parents in revered mem- ory.
Sprague Taylor Hale was born in Waterford, Vermont, September 13, 1815, and Nancy May Moulton was born in Concord, Vermont, October 14, 1819. They were married in 1843 and had three children, Charles Allen Hale, who enlisted in the Eleventh regiment, Vermont volunteers in 1862, and died in An- dersonville prison, Georgia, Novem- ber 12, 1864; Nellie II. Hale, wife of Hon. Albert R. Savage, justice of the supreme judicial court of Maine; and Franklin Darius Hale, the subject of this sketch. When he was two years of age the family moved to Concord, Vermont, where they resided for nine years, and where his brother, Charles A., a no- ble type of the farm bred soldier of the Union, enlisted. From Concord, the family moved to Lunenburg in 1865, where the parents resided un- til their death; the mother May 27, 1901, the father, February 22, 1902.
Franklin D. Hale shared the usual experience of the farm boy of the period, alternating the eares, the sports, and the labors of the farm by attendance at the distriet school. Later he attended the St. Johnsbury academy three terms and
the Northfield high school three terms. He taught school at Cole- brook and Dalton, New Hampshire, and Waitsfield and Lunenburg, Ver- mont, and thus acquired a practi- cal experience and education and an interest in the cause of education which has been invaluable in his public career. In 1875, '76, '77, he took the law course at Michi- gan University and continued his studies with Hutchinson & Savage at Lewiston, Maine, becoming a member of the firm of Hutchinson, Savage & Hale in 1877. He trav- eled extensively in the West during 1879 and '80. In the spring of 1881 he returned to Lunenburg and engaged in farming with his father, continuing his practice of the law.
Mr. Hale married, November 2, 1881, Adeline Louise, daughter of Ilon. Levi and Susan (Powers) Silsby. Four children have been born to this union; Susie Belle (de- ceased), Susie May, Charles Silsby, and Bernard Franklin.
Mr. Hale has held nearly every town office in Lunenburg and repre- sented the town in the legislature in 1884, 1898, and 1900, and in 1886 he was state senator for Essex county. In both legislative bodies he made a splendid record and was recog- nized as a leader in debate. He served on the more important com- mittees and left his impress on the legislation of the eight years. In July, 1883, he was appointed state's attorney for Essex county and was elected to that office in 1884, 1888, 1890, 1900, and in 1902, resigning in 1901. In June, 1891, he was appointed chairman of the board of town site trustees for the city of Oklahoma, by President Harrison,
*Sketch by Hon. John H. Walbridge.
FRANKLIN D. HALE.
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5
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
which office he resigned in October of that year. In 1892 he was elected state auditor of Vermont and was reelected without opposition in 1894 and again in 1896.
In July, 1899, he went to Havana, Cuba, as chief clerk to the treasurer of Cuba, where he remained for a year. In October, 1902, President Roosevelt appointed him U. S. consul at Coaticooke, P. Q., which office he still holds.
Mr. Hale enjoys a very wide per- sonal acquaintance, a fact which is due no less to his genial and at- tractive personality than to the many and various public stations which he has been called to occupy. His ability as a fluent and forcible speaker, on the lecture platform and on the stump, is too well known to require comment.
Mr. Hale is broad gauge in his tastes, is the possessor of a large and excellent library, and a rare and val- uable collection of steel engravings, books, china, and curios. The beau- tiful home with Mrs. Hale as hostess and the three children as entertain- ers is noted for its culture and hos- pitality.
Mr. Ilale is a Knight of Honor, and a member of Moose River lodge, No. 82, F. and A. M., Palestine commandery and Mount Sinai Temple. A Congregational- ist in religious belief, he is an ac- tive and influential member of that body, having been deacon of the Lunenburg church for many years.
Eminently practical and a man of affairs, Mr. Hale continues to cher- ish the high ideals of life and duty, and the warm and generous aspira- tions peculiar to the springtime of life.
POWERS, JUDGE STEPHEN B., son of Stephen and Almira (John- son) Powers, was born in Lunen- burg, July 20, 1837, attended the public schools of Lunenburg and the St. Johnsbury and Newbury acade- mies. For several winters he taught school in Caledonia and Es- sex counties, his first school being at Dalton, New Hampshire, when nineteen years of age. He re- mained on the home farm, when not teaching, until the death of his father, August 7, 1860. He then remained with his widowed mother until 1865 when his brother Sim- eon bought his interest in that prop- erty. He and his brother, Edmond C., entered the mercantile business at the village. The partnership continued only about a year when Judge Powers purchased Edmond's interest and until 1871 conducted the business as the sole proprietor. Having disposed of his business he became employed by Joshua Silsby at his lumber mill for three years. In 1874 he took up farming and lumbering and has by close applica- tion and splendid judgment acquired a good property.
March 21, 1864. he married Martha Thompson. One son was born to them, Frederic E., who re- sides on the Roswell Bowker farm, so called.
Mrs. Powers, a lovely woman of culture and refinement, who made the world better for having lived, died March 13, 1902.
Judge Powers has always taken a lively interest in public matters and has frequently been called upon to hold both town and county offices, always a staunch Republican in pol- ities. He was appointed county
STEPHEN B. POWERS.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
commissioner of Essex county and was afterwards elected for two terms to that office. In September, 1900, Governor Stickney appointed him to fill the vacancy in the office of assistant county judge of Essex county, caused by the death of Hon. Wilmot Nelson of Norton. He has been twice since elected to that of- fice, which he still holds. In each office Judge Powers has discharged the duties devolved upon him with firmness and a high sense of honor.
He has been treasurer of the Lunenburg Manufacturing Co. since 1898. His religious preference is Congregational and his work and membership in that society since 1858 have been of that kind which builds up and gives greater useful- ness and influence for good in the community.
Judge Powers' grandfather, Jos- eph Powers, came from New Lon- don, Connecticut, to Lunenburg about 1794 and his son, Stephen, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead in 1798.
HIILL, GEORGE W., was born in Danville, December 18th, 1842, son of Carleton and Amanda M. (Carr) Hill. When three years of age he came with his parents to Concord. He located in Lunenburg in 1856. When the war broke out he enlisted in Co. K, Eighth regiment, Ver- mont Volunteers, under the com- mand of Colonel Stephen Thomas. He was in the Louisiana campaign, was at Bonte's Station, Bayou Teche, Fort Bisland, Port Hudson, Donalson, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek. He was severely wounded at Bonte's Station, refused an honorable discharge and returned to his regiment. Hle entered the service as a private and was pro-
moted through every grade to second lieutenant.
Mr. Hill was married November 7, 1865, to Amanda MI., daughter of Sylvanus and Martha Lane. They have had four children.
He has held the various town of- fices and in 1900 represented Lunenburg in the state legislature.
GEORGE W. HILL.
He is a member of Howard post, G. A. R., and has served three years as its commander. He is a man of energy, absolute integrity, and great perseverance, who is regarded as a leading citizen of his town and county.
BOWKER, MARK D., born in Lunenburg, January 11th, 1852, son of James G. and Sophronia (Smith) Bowker, attended the public schools of Lunenburg and for the past thirty-three years has been identi- fied with the mercantile interests of the town. lle represented Lunen- burg in the legislature of 1902.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
December 11th, 1877, Mr. Bowker was united in marriage to Nellie J. Silsby of Lunenburg. One child, a son, Irving J., has been born to
MARK D. BOWKER.
them. Irving was educated in the public schools of the town and at Montpelier seminary, and for the past three years has been in his father's store.
OLCOTT, A. JUDSON, son of Erastus and Lucy (Snow) Olcott, was born in the old homestead in Lunenburg in 1851; was educated in the public schools. He has al- ways followed farming and is thor- oughly modern in his methods. In 1880 he married Julia A. Powers, a daughter of Timothy and Electa (Balch) Powers of Lunenburg. They have had four bright and pleasant children, Glenn E., Roy B. (who died in infancy), Nila E., and Nettie E.
Mr. Olcott has served the town
as lister and school director and is an active member of the Congre- gational church.
The Oleotts came to Lunenburg nearly a hundred years ago-Eras- tus came from Concord in 1809. They have always taken a lively and prominent part in the affairs of the town and have been known for their
A. JUDSON OLCOTT.
energy, integrity, and deep interest in the welfare of the community.
KELLEY, REV. CHARLES WES- LEY. The subject of this sketch was born in the city of New York, in the year of our Lord 1872. He came from a ministerial stock and has near and distant relatives in the leading Protestant denominations. He was converted in childhood and from earliest memory felt strangely called to the work of the Christian ministry. During his residence in the city and while preparing for his chosen calling, much of his spare
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
time was spent in evangelistic and mission work. This work had a great fascination for him but had to be relinquished because of impaired health. The work of the country pastorate when later undertaken proved more conducive to good health. In the course of time Mr. Kelley connected himself with the Vermont Methodist Conference and after a three years' pastorate at ('anaan was transferred a few
REV. CHARLES W. KELLEY.
months ago to Lunenburg, both towns being located within the county of Essex. The latter town is delightfully situated on high land, where the atmosphere is invigorat- ing, the scenery magnificent, and where every prospect is pleasing. The Methodist Episcopal church is comparatively a new edifice, having been erected only a few years ago, and is handsomely and comfortably arranged. The pastor being nobly
sustained by a loyal and efficient of- ficiary, the work is in a prosperous condition. The union spirit or the spirit of Christian unity in this lit- tle mountain town is certainly ideal and it would be well if other towns caught it.
VANCE, MARTIN VAN BUREN, was born at Wolcott, Vermont, June 4th, 1838, son of John and Adelia (Hubbard) Vance. When but five years of age his parents moved to Danville and two years later they again moved and located at Lancas- ter, New Hampshire. Here only a short stay was had and the Vance family moved to Lowell, Massachu- setts, and the year following located at Concord, in that state, where he remained for ten years, then locat- ing at Bradford, Vermont, where he was residing when the Civil war broke out. He enlisted at Danville in Captain A. W. Preston's Com- pany D, First Vermont cavalry, September 21st, 1861, and was mus- tered out with his regiment August 9th, 1865. He entered the service as a private and served as corporal, sergeant, commissary sergeant, or- derly sergeant, and Governor J. Gregory Smith, on May 9th, 1865, commissioned him second lieutenant of his company. He was in nearly every engagement participated in by the company. He located in Lunen- burg after his discharge from the United States service, and ten years later, June 4th, 1825, he married Matilda C. Balch, daughter of James and Fannie (Smith) Balch. Mrs. Vance died January 1, 1903. at the age of fifty-six years, loved and honored by all for her beautiful life of usefulness in the community in which she had spent so many happy years.
M. V. B. VANCE.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS,
Ten years after coming to Lunen- burg Mr. Vance bought and resided on the Jonah Brooks farm, but later moved to the village, and for eigh- teen years carried the mail and ex- press to South Lancaster, New Hampshire. He erected his present beautiful residence, which is the best set of buildings in the town, beautifully located, overlooking the Connecticut river, with the gigantic granite hills and White Mountains of New Hampshire in the back- ground.
Mr. Vance took a prominent part in the organization of Lunenburg's Cooperative Creamery association in 1896. He was elected its presi- dent for the first year and has been elected treasurer every year since.
In 1889 Mr. Vance was elected town clerk and treasurer, and has continually held those offices to the present time. In 1896 he repre- sented Lunenburg in the general assembly of Vermont.
Ilis great grandfathers on both sides were Revolutionary soldiers. Mr. Vance is affiliated with the Ju- nior Order of Mechanics, Grange, Grand Army, and Masonic frater- nity.
STEARNS, PARISH L., born in Woodstock, Vermont, in 1843, son of Gilbert and Sophronia (Fitch) Stearns, was educated in the publie school and at Montpelier seminary. It was while a student in the last named institution that the Civil war broke out and young Stearns hurriedly enlisted in Com- pany F, Second Vermont Volunteer infantry.
Thirty years ago Mr. Stearns lo- cated in Lunenburg, where he has ever since made his residence. In 1871 he married Susan, daughter
of Asa and Mary (Powers) Smith; she died in 1895 and Mr. Stearns, in 1900, married Mrs. Estelle M. Dodge of Lunenburg.
PARISH STEARNS.
He is a member of the Grange, Grand Army and an active member of the Congregational church.
KING, WILLARD G. History tells us that for nearly two hundred years the ancestors of Willard G. King have borne a prominent part in the building and shaping of what is now our New England territory. Willard is the sixth in descent from Dr. Samuel King, who died in Ches- terfield during the latter part of the eighteenth century.
Colonel Samuel King settled in that town in 1213 and was a lead- ing and most conspicnous person. When the controversy over the "Grants" was at its height he espoused the cause of Vermont and labored strenuously to effect the
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ESSEX COUNTY.
union of the disaffected towns with that state, and at one time was a colonel in the Vermont militia. He represented Chesterfield in the gen- eral assembly of Vermont and in the general court of New Hampshire. Samuel King was a merchant of
Lunenburg. He was " bound out " to Judge Gates, who built the first frame house, and kept the first tav- ern in Lunenburg. He purchased a considerable tract of land lying north of the Ladd farm, three and a half miles from the village. Here
WILLARD G. KING.
Chesterfield but later moved to Lunenburg and occupied a log store near the old cemetery. He married Sarah Davis.
Captain Willard King, eldest son of Samuel and Sarah (Davis) King, was born in 1996 at Chesterfield and came with his parents to
he " struck his first blow " for a home, August 10, 1820. For sev- eral years he commanded an infan- try company and was always known as Captain King. He was a man of strong religious views, positive con- viction, and sturdy integrity. He died August 20, 1876.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
Hon. Charles W. King was born in Lunenburg, November 9, 1832, and received his education in the public schools. At the age of seven- teen he was elected a teacher of the school in his district. He con- tinued to teach winters in Lunen- burg and Concord until he was twenty-two years of age. When of age he was chosen town superin- tendent of schools, which office he held for many years. He held the various town offices and in 1874 rep- resented Lunenburg in the state legislature. In 1878 he was chosen senator for Essex county and was an influential member of the com- mittee on education. In January, 1879, he was elected a director of the First National bank of St. Johnsbury and served as a trustee of the State Normal school at John- son.
December 25, 1860, he married Jennie E. Chandler. Their chil- dren are Charles C. and Willard G. He died August 12, 1893.
He was entrusted with the man- agement and settlement of many estates and did much public busi- ness, and in every trust committed to his care he worked with diligence, perseverance, and efficiency. Under his affability and uniform courtesy there was a substratum of energy and decision, which, combined with a strong religious nature and great conscientiousness, held him true to the advocacy of those principles best calculated to promote the moral and intellectual advancement of the community.
Willard G. King, born September 22d, 1865, son of Hon. Charles W. and Jennie (Chandler) King, re- ceived his education in the public schools. Has devoted his time to
farming on the old homestead, where the Kings have resided for more than a quarter of a century. He has served the town five years as selectman, and is a man of character and standing, inheriting many of the sturdy characteristics of the King ancestry.
BROWN, KYLE T., of Lunen- burg, son of Lorenzo B. and Harriet M. (Taylor) Brown, was born in Concord, Vermont, February 5th, 1880, and came to Lunenburg with his parents when only a year old. He received his education in the public schools of Lunenburg and at the Montpelier seminary, and last December registered in the law of- fice of Dunnett & Slack of St. Johnsbury as a law student.
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