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 40
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 40
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 40
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In 1894 the general office was moved to St. Johnsbury, where Mr. Hastings resided until 1896, when he bought the stock of goods in the J. C. Taylor store at West Concord, still retaining his position with C. H. Stevens until 189%.
Mr. Hastings modernized the store and its methods, and did a steadily increasing business which becanie extensive and more than doubled during his six years in trade. In 1898 he bought the Ira Lee farm, two miles north of West Concord, which he largely improved and developed, and which he still owns. In December, 1899, he bought the Harvey Judevine saw- mill at West Concord, which he has practically rebuilt on modern lines, doubling its capicity. It had been run as a small custom mill, but dur- ing the season of 1901-02 Mr. Hast- ings manufactured 900,000 feet, mostly of finished lumber, and the past season 600,00 ) feet. lle em- ploys eight or ten mon, and his va- rious and extensive business enter- prises have put the bread on many a table in West Concord. He has been prominently identified with other enterprises-the granitequarries and sheds, the creamery. which have conduced to the welfare and pros-
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ESSEX COUNTY.
perity of West Concord. He is a liberal contributor for preaching and chairman of the executive com- mittee of the Universalist society.
Enterprising and public-spirited, he has found time to serve the pub- lie in various capacities as school di-
be counted for progress and public improvement.
Lambert W. Hastings married, in December, 1889, Lena, daughter of the late Rufus S. and Abbey Cheney Brigham of West Concord. They have an interesting family of four
LAMBERT W. HASTINGS.
rector and lister of Granby, as audi- tor and selectman in Concord. He is the present representative and served on the railroad committee. He is a member of Moose River lodge, No. 82, F. & A. M., of Pales- tine commandery, and of the Mystic Shrine. His influenee can always
children: llubbard, Janette C., R. Brigham, and Ruth M. Hastings.
JOHNSON, DR. RUSSELL THAY- ER, son of Ransel and Sally A. (Far- mer) Johnson, was born April 4. 1841, at Newark. His common school training was supplemented by a course at Charlestown academy,
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
Hatley, Province of Quebec, and he successfully taught several terms of school. He commenced the study of medicine in 1860 at Lyndon, under Dr. Charles S. Cahoon, and attended three courses of lectures, one each at the medical department of U. V. M., College of Physicians and Surgeons
practice which also covers all adjoin- ing towns, and where he has made a financial success. He is a member of the Vermont State Medical so- ciety, and was its vice-president in 1886; member of the White Moun- tain Medical society; health officer of Concord and adjoining towns sev-
RUSSELL. T. JOHNSON, M. D.
of the city of New York, and Belle- vue Hospital Medical college, grad- uating from the latter in 1867. Dr. Johnson began the practice of medi- cine in Stanstead, Province of Que- bec, and in 1869 he moved to West Concord, where he has since re- mained and built up an extensive
eral years. In 1876 he was a dele- gate to the International Medical Congress at Philadelphia. For a score of years he was United States medical examiner for pensions, and fills that position for several insur- ance societies at the present time.
Dr. Johnson has held several
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ESSEX COUNTY.
town offices, including that of treas- urer, and was many years moderator and represented Concord in the leg- islature in 1884-'85. For fourteen years he was supervisor of the insane. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eleventh Vermont regiment and served nearly three years, most of the time in the medical department of the Sixth Army corps. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army, having served on the national staff at dif- ferent periods. Dr. Johnson is widely and favorably known in fra- ternal circles, being a member of Concordia lodge, No. -. Odd Fel- lows, and of Moose River lodge, No. 82, F. & A. M., which latter body he has served for many years as secre- tary, having passed all of the chairs. At three different periods he has been district deputy grand master. He is a member of Palestine com- mandery of St. Johnsbury, and has attained the 32d degree. His ready wit and cheerful optimism render him a delightful social companion in any assembly.
Dr. Johnson was married in 1869 to Asenath A., daughter of Samuel and Almira Currier Weeks of Wheelock.
SMITH, REV. ALVEN M., son of David M. and Lois (Thompson) Smith, was born at Williamstown, November 5, 1865. He was reared upon a farm, taught school four win- ters, and graduated from Goddard seminary in 1886. After serving as attendant one year at the Taunton, Massachusetts, asylum, he pursued a course of study at the Canton, New York, Theological school, graduat- ing in 1892. The next Sabbath he married Alice, daughter of Joel and Saralı (Barnes) Blackmer, of Stock- bridge. He was at once settled as
pastorover the Universalist churches of Williamstown and Washington, and conducted a pleasant and suc- cessful pastorate of six and one half years among his early friends at Wil- liamstown, and nine years at Wash- ington, meanwhile repairing both church edifices.
During this time he was elected a missionary for the Central associa- tion, and upon resignation of his pastorate, he left two pastors
REV. ALVEN M. SMITH.
and four churches, where he began alone with two churches. Called to West Concord without candidating, in June, 1901, he has done zealous and efficient work, also in the tem- perance field, and substantial repairs have l:cen effected on the church building. He was at once elected missionary of the Northern associa- tion, and recently has been chosen superintendent over the Universalist churches of Vermont and Province
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
of Quebec. He las bought a resi- dence in West Concord. Rev. Alven M. and Alice (Blackmer) Smith have two interesting children: John Blackmer and Percy Thompson Smith.
taught several terms of school. He early evinced a decided taste for vocal music, which he had an op- portunity to cultivate, and having a baritone voice of remarkable power, compass, and quality. soon became
IHARRY II. MAY.
MAY, PROF. HARRY HI., the well- known vocalist. the youngest of the five sons of Preston and Sophia (Grout) May, was born in Concord, May, 29, 1848. His literary educa- tion was obtained in the common and select schools of Concord, and during his minority he successfully
locally prominent as an excellent vocalist and singing school teacher. In 1823 he located in St. Johnsbury, was for a time in the employ of the Fairbanks company, and for twenty- one years was chorister at the South Congregational church. Meantime he completed his musical education
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ESSEX COUNTY.
in Boston, and for several years prior to 1895 was instructor in musie in the public schools of St. Johnsbury. Possessing naturally a fine appreciation and love of music. an imposing physique, and strong personal magnetism, Professor May is a most efficient instructor in sing- ing schools, and a notable and well- known leader in musical conven- tions. He has been intimately asso- ciated with such distinguished vocal- ists and leaders as the late Prof. B. F. Rix, Prof. II. G. Blaisdell, Mr. N. P. Dodge, and others.
Mr. May married, in 1817, Miss Marietta Cushman of L'Orignal, Province of Quebec. Two children were born to them: Walter Milton, now a junior in Dartmouth college. a most promising young man, and Celia, who died in infancy. Mrs. May died in 1896. Mr. May mar- ried, in 1898, Maude A., daughter of Curtis L. and Viola (Grant) Stacy. They have an only daughter, Viola Stacy May. Mrs. May is a fine con- tralto singer, and a lady of musical tastes, and the noble grand of Red Clover lodge, No. 27, D. of R.
RICHARDSON, JACOB. This charming family group, emblemat- ical of the springtime, the early sum- mer, and the mature autumn of human life, represents three genera- tions, each bearing the name of Jacob Richardson. They reside in a tidy farmhouse which commands a glorious view of the monumental outlines of the White Mountains, and on a farm which speaks loudly for the thrift, prosperity, and enter- prise of its owner. The great-grand- father of the child, also Jacob Rich- ardson, was born in Waterford in 1196, and his wife, Irene Hovey, was born in Waterford in 1802. Nearly
all of their married life was spent as farmers in Concord, although he was for many winters a school teacher, a prompt, decisive, honorable man. For many years his life was a strng- gle with poverty, but, having sold the mining rights of his farm years later, he attained a modest com- petence. He died in 1868, and his excellent wife in 1877. Of their six children, only Jacob and Helen, Mrs. Emmons Stockwell, survive.
JACOB RICHARDSON, 3D. JACOB RICHARDSON, 1ST. JACOB RICHARDSON, 2D.
Two of the brothers were Francis and William A. Richardson, well- known hotel men.
Jacob Richardson was born in 1840. Ile attended the district schools and remained on the pater- nal farm until of age, when he found a suitable helpmeet. Lovina Kel- logg, daughter of B. P. Kellogg. Three sons and a daughter have been
A-9
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
born to them: Fred E. and Frank M., who married Lefie and Theda, daughters of Ira P. Lewis, and are located at Littleton in the livery business: Jacob, Jr., who married Fanny I., daughter of Albert and Julia (Joslin) Hill, and is in the meat business, and lda, who married Charles A. Caswell of Concord.
The Richardsons are industrious, thrifty, and hospitable people, jovial company, and strictly reliable in business. Jacob has repeatedly served the town as selectman and lister, although a member of the minority political party. Jacob, 3d, was born in 1900.
FORD, DAN, son of Samuel W. and Sophronia Willey Ford, was born in Concord in 1863. The
DAN FORD.
Fords are excellent types of the sturdy, intelligent, prosperous farm- ers of Vermont. Samuel W. Ford was reared upon a farm in the town
of Kirby, and leaving home at >ev- enteen years of age was employed as a farm laborer until in 1853 he mar- ried Sophronia Willey, and soon af-
SAMUEL W. FORD.
ter settled on the fine farm where he has since resided. Possessing ex- cellent practical judgment, com- bined with industry and persever- ance, he has not only made a finan- cial success of farming, but has been a valuable counselor in town affairs. He has served repeatedly as select- man, and in that capacity was very active and efficient in raising the town quota of soldiers during the Civil war. In 1826, as a Republi- can, he represented the town of Con- cord in the legislature.
Samuel W. Ford carries his four- score years cheerfully, with his men- tal faculties strong and active, and with good general health.
Ellery Ford, eldest son of Samuel W., is a millwright in the employ of
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ESSEX COUNTY.
the Berlin Falls Mill company, and cessive grades and when the com- located at Gardiner, Mame. He married Carrie E. Cummings, and they have one daughter, Fern B.
Helen is the wife of William Lindsay of West Concord.
Almeda (deceased), who married Milo A. Green, leaves a little dangh- ter, Sadie.
Dan remained with his father on the homestead and is one of our most progressive and energetic farmers. He married Abbie J. Copp in 1889, and they have one child, Mary E. Ford. Dan Ford has re- cently purchased an adjoining farm, where he now resides. He is also associated with his father in the ownership of the home farm, and the united estates comprise between four and five hundred aeres, includ- ing one hundred acres of wood and timber land. The Fords are notably successful breeders of Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep. Dan Ford is a member of Moose River lodge, No. 82. F. & A. M.
BAZIN, LIEUTENANT EDWARD H., son of Charles H. and Mary R. (Ferrin) Bazin, was born at Hallow- ell, Maine, November 1, 1856. He came to West Concord in December, 1884, and for four years was em- ployed by the late R. S. Brigham. He then engaged with the late Gen- eral W. W. Grout on his farm for one year. During the past dozen years Mr. Bazin has been employed at St. Johnsbury, for three years at his trade as painter with Miner & Hill, and later in the Fairbanks Scale Works, where he has a good position, still residing at West Con- cord.
Mr. Bazin enlisted in Company D, Vermont National Guard, in 1892, was promoted through the suc-
piny left the state in May, 1898, for the camp at Chickamauga, he was second lieutenant. llis promptness, efficiency, and military bearing, and his interest and care for the welfare of his company elicited the hearty commendation of his associates; much of the time he acted as adjn- tant of his battalion. Lieutenant Bazin is a worthy member of Moose River lodge, No. 82, F. & A. M., and was for two terms noble grand of Concordia lodge, No. 43, 1. 0. 0. F., also filling the position of district deputy grand master of District No. 6. He married, in 1896, Mrs. Ellen A. (Miltimore) Corser of West Con- cord. Mrs. Bazin is the genial and
EDWARD H. BAZIN.
enterprising proprietor of the popu- lar millinery store in Union block, also carrying a good stock of ladies' furnishings and fancy goods.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
HOWARD, WILLIAM SUMNER, son of James and Sarah (Adams) Howard, was born in Ludlow, Sep- tomber 7, 1821. He received a good
WILLIAM S. HOWARD.
common school education in the town schools of Ludlow and Con- cord. Nearly seventy years ago his father purchased the large farm at Concord Corner, which has since been the family home of four gen- erations.
William S. Howard married, in 1843, Lucinda F., daughter of Will- jam and Rachel (Wilcox) Gorham of Kirby. Prudent, industrious, and progressive, temperate in principle and practice, this worthy couple have successfully developed a fine upland farm on the general lines of the dairy, cattle, and sheep hus- bandry, have reared an excellent family, and have faithfully dis- charged the many and varied duties of town, church, and neighborhood, which have devolved upon them.
Although still active and cheer- ful, and in the full enjoyment of their mental faculties, they have re- cently sold their farm, retaining a home surrounded by so many cher- ished associations. Always a Re- publican, since the formation of the party, Mr. Howard has naturally been repeatedly called upon to dis- charge the duties of nearly all of the town offices, serving as district clerk more than thirty years, for more than forty as trustee of the Essex county grammar school. founded as a normal school, the oldest in the United State-, and for nearly forty years has been the efficient overseer of the poor of Concord. William and Lucinda Howard are connecting links of the past with the present generation, and the only remaining representatives of the early citizens of the old village of Concord Corner. They have had three children: Will- ian Elmore, a soldier of the Elev- enth Vermont regiment, who died in the service: George S. (deceased). and Mary Elizabeth. Mrs. L. W. MeAnn of Moncton, New Bruns- wiek.
CARPENTER, MINER BUGBEE, son of Amos and Cosbi (Parker) Car- penter, was born at Waterford, Oc- tober 26, 1867. After attending St. Johnsbury academy three years, Mr. Carpenter graduated from the Clin- ton, Iowa, Business college. In 1892 he engaged in business with his broth r. E. P. Carpenter. built the Trout Brook creamery. and con- ducted it under the name of Carpen- ter Brothers for five years, during which time they won the first pre- mium, and creamery sweepstakes and several other prizes at Vermont Dairymen's meetings. In 1897 they sold the West Waterford plant to a
1:3
ESSEX COUNTY.
stock company, and it was then known as the Trout Br. ok Cream- ery company. In 1898 they built the creamery at West Concord and leased it for six months to Limbert W. Hastings. The following year Miner B. Carpenter came here and started the creamery with five pa- trons, run it one year and sold it to Farmers' Mutual, with sixty patrons. After working a brief time for the Farmers' Mutual Creamery company. Mr. Carpenter went to Berlin, New Hampshire, and worked as a book- keeper in a bank six months, but his health failing, he returned to the Waterford farm. After the location of the Trout Brook Creamery plant at West Concord, he was employed as butter maker and manager. His
MINER B. CARPENTER,
success has been most gratifying. He won the first prize at Brattle- boro in 1902, conte t open to the United States, with a score of ninety-
seven. In January, 1903, he won a gold watch at Verment Dairymen's meeting at Rutland. The creamery averaged during the best of the sea- son seven hundred and fifty pounds of butter a day with one hundred and five patrons. In August, 1903, the make was double that of Angust, 1902.
Mr. Carpenter married, in 1899, Mary, daughter of Abel B. and Lucy (Ross) Go-s. Two children were born to them: Hazel, who died in infancy. : nd Pri-cilla.
BINGHAM, J. WARNER, son of Wanner and Lanra ( Rankin) Bing- ham, was born in Concord, February 9. 1849. The lineage of this branch of the Bingham family can be traced to a Norman knight at the time of the Conquest, and Warner Bingham is the sixth generation of that name in America. E. Warner Bingham, grandfather of J. W., was one of the pioneer settlers of Con- cord, and reared a family of seven sons and one daughter. Warner, his eldest son, married Lucy Wheeler of Concord, and five sons and two daughters were born of this mar- riage. John settled as a merchant in Ohio, and Lorenzo at Lower Wa- terford. Ilarry and George A. were eminent lawyers and politicians of Littleton, New Hampshire, the lat- ter a judge of the supreme court. Edward, the only survivor, was a former chief justice of District of Columbia. There were three chil- dren by the second marriage: Ilo- ratio, Laura, and Warner,
Warner's youth was spent at Bar- net until, at the age of seventeen, he went to Terre Haute, Ind., and there learned the millwright and pattern maker's trade.
In 1878 he married Sarah, dangh-
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS,
ter of James and Candace (Jones) Warden of Peacham. In 1881 he located with his brother, Horatio, in Hurricane township, Illinois, where they were the pioneers in building what is now the thriving village of Bingham. Mr. Bingham returned to Barnet in 1886 and formed a part- nership with his father-in-law, in the manufacture of fork and hoe handles. The following year both families moved to West Concord, where Mr. Bingham has since re- sided, engaged in mechanical pur- suits. He was appointed postmaster of West Concord during Cleveland's first administration and served nearly eleven years, a portion of four administrations. Mr. and Mrs. Bing- ham have an excellent social stand- ing, and he is a past noble grand of Concordia lodge of Odd Fellows.
CHASE, WILLARD, son of George and Eunice (Abbott) Chase, was born in Landgrove, March 10, 1840. Coming to Concord in early infancy. he has since resided for more than threescore years on the paternal homestead, a fine upland farm, com- manding a glorious view of the Moose river valley, and of the dis- tant peaks of the White mountains. He received a thorough common school education. His parents were frugal, industrious, and benevolent. skilled also in the homespun handi- crafts, and the farm is well provided with all of the modern appliances of labor-saving machinery.
Mr. Chase married, January 1. 1868, Ann Maria W., daughter of David W. and Sally (Stiles) Lee, a lady of unusual culture and force of character. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have "lived the strenuous life," doing with energy and faithfulness the work of carrying on a large farm
successfully, and have found time to discharge the many duties of church, town, and neighborhood which have devolved upon them. He is the largest manufacturer of maple sugar in this section, having more than three thousand trees set up, from which he has made more than five tons of sugar in a single year.
He is one of the directors of the
WILLARD CHASE.
Trout Brook creamery, and con- duets an excellent dairy of from fif- teen to twenty cows. In politics a lifelong Republican, Mr. Chase has always been prominent in town af- fairs, and has filled nearly all of the town offices. He was school district clerk and treasurer a quarter of a century. Elected selectman at
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ESSEX COUNTY.
twenty-six years of age, he has filled that position seventeen terms; he was five years overseer of the poor, and representative in the legislature in 1878.
A publie-spirited citizen of gen- erous impulses, he has contributed liberally of his time and means for public, and especially for church purposes. For nearly forty years he has been an important factor of the Universalist church at West Con- cord, most of this period as superin- tendent of the Sunday-school, with Mrs. Chase as his efficient assistant, and for many years as chairman of the parish committee. He was for a long time president of the Northern association, and for nearly a score of years was treasurer of the Universal- ist convention of Vermont and the Province of Quebec.
REED, MARCUS L., son of Sam- uel S. and Louisa (Joslin) Reed, was born in Kirby, February 5, 1839. He comes of strong native stock, his ancestors being hardy ycomen and early pioneers. He received a thor- ough common school education, which was completed at West C'on- cord, where Samuel S. Reed removed when Marcus was seventeen years of age, and in the rugged labors of the farm formed a stalwart, athletic physique. Soon after he became of age he found employment with his brother, a prominent business man of Burlington, and later engaged in the shoe trade. Hle enlisted Feb- ruary 14, 1864, in Company G, Sev- enteenth Vermont regiment, which had its third battalion drill on the bloody field of the Wilderness and which sustained heavier losses in action for its time of service than any other Vermont regiment. Mr. Reed was wounded at Spottsylvania,
sent to Washington, but soon re- turned to his regiment, where he was stricken down by sickness. Again transferred to Washington, he had charge of the ordnance and knapsack room of Harwood hospital until his discharge as acting orderly in July, 1865.
Marens L. Reed married, in 1866, Emily C., daughter of Theophilus and Hannah (Chick) Grout. He en- gaged in farming in Granby until 1878, when he located in West Con-
MARCUS L. REED.
cond, and moved from thence, in 1886, to the fine upland farm which he owned and occupied for a dozen years. Mr. Reed has been recently appointed as mail carrier on the first rural free delivery route ever estah- lished in Concord.
Two sons were born to Mareus L. and Emily C. Reed: William L. is located in West Concord as the fore- man of Lambert W. Hastings & Co .;
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
George W. succeeds his father in the ownership of the Concord farm.
Mr. Reed has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and although of a retiring disposition. has been honored by election to many important town offiees. He has repeatedly served in both towns as chairman of the board of select- men. As a Republican, he repre- sented Granby in 1869-'70, and in 1892 was the representative from Concord. Conscientious and relia- ble in the discharge of public duties. he possesses many qualities which win the warm esteem of his asso- ciates. For nearly forty years Mr. Reed has been a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. He has served fom terms as worshipful master of Moose River lodge, No. 82. F. and A. M .. and is a Knight Templar of Pales- tine commandery.
STACY, CURTIS L, son of Abel and Sally (Fisher) Stacy, was bom in Concord, March 19, 1841. Mr. Stacy is a lifelong citizen of the town, one of a family of twelve chil- dren, ten of whom lived to maturity. He married, in 1860, Viola Grant Cutting, youngest daughter of Ira and Lydia (Williams) Grant. Her mother died when she was an in- fant, and she was adopted by Frank- lin and Prudence (Isham) Cutting.
When the toesin of war sounded Mr. Stacy enlisted in Company D, First Vermont cavalry, leaving in his home a young wife and infant daughter. He shared the fortunes of that gallant regiment during more than three years, and partici- pated in thirty-six battles and en- gagements, although he was for a time detached as an orderly at bri- gade headquarters.
It is an exceptional fact that Mrs.
Stacy had a husband and ten brothers and brothers-in-law at one time in the Union armies, nine of whom returned. After Mr. Stacy's
CURTIS L. STACY.
return from the front he followed for many years the trade of earpen- tor and joiner, until in January, 1892, by a bad fracture of his leg, he was incapacitated for mann.il labor. The following year he opened a grocery store in the base- ment of his residence on Main street, where he still conducts a general and barter trade.
Possessing a voice at once power- ful and flexible, a stalwart physique. a retentive memory, and a gift of mimiery, Mr. Stacy has been a prom- inent figure in the amateur dra- maties of the town. He is a promi- nent member of Woodbury post, G. A. R., and a past commander, lle and Mrs. Stacy are affiliated with Red Clover lodge, D. R., and he is
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