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 47
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 47
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 47
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He is a cultured gentleman of strict integrity and much respected by his fellow-citizens.
PARKER, HARRY B., was born at Lowell, Vermont, April 17, 1836. son of Nathan Parker. He received his education in the district schools, and in the year 1867 he took up the mill business as his vocation. In 1880 he formed a partnership with Mr. Kenney, which continued until
HARRY B. PARKER.
1884; he then located at North Troy and, forming a partnership with James R. B. Hunt, they to- gether purchased the so-called Cur- rier mill. For a number of years
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
they did au extensive business in the manufacture of rough and dressed lumber, and in the year 1889 they added to their business
BURNIE M. PARKER.
the manufacture of piano sounding boards. The partnership continued until 1900, when his son, Burnie M., bought Mr. Hunt's interest, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of H. B. Parker & Son.
This business consists principally of the manufacture of piano sound- ing boards, turning out 20,000 boards annually, also manufactur- ing dressed lumber, butter tubs, box shooks, sash, doors, and house finish.
In 1875 Mr. Parker married Georgia Burnham of Johnson. Two children have been born to them: Burnie M. and Mabel G. Burnie M. was born July 29, 1876, at Lowell; after completing his education he
followed the drug business, until in the year 1900 he returned to North Troy and purchased James R. B. Hunt's interest in the mill and en- tered a partnership with his father.
In October, 1900, he married Maude Louise Buggy of North Troy. One child has been born to them, Harry Burnham.
LEWIS, JOHN L.,* only son of Milo G. and Euretta (Willard) Lew- is, is of English descent, and was born at Berkshire, Vermont, on the ith day of March, 1858. He was educated at the common schools and in the academies at Westfield and St. Albans, Vermont. After com- pleting his education he studied law with the Hon. Henderson C. Wil- son, late of North Troy, and for many years a prominent practi- tioner at the Orleans county bar. In 1877, Mr. Lewis was admitted to the bar, and opened an office at North Troy, where he has since re- sided and where he continued in the practice of his profession until about the year 1889, when he with- drew largely or wholly from prac- tice because of the many and con- stantly increasing cares of his large and varied lumber, mercantile, and general business enterprises.
While in practice he did an ex- tensive and lucrative business, be- ing engaged in many important and complicated cases aside from the general run of work coming to a successful lawyer in a litigious lo- cality; but then as now money came with comparative slowness to the country practitioner, and the love of Mr. Lewis for the profession was overcome by his natural commercial instinct; and so he turned to the
* Sketch by Hon. Orian S. Annis.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
more profitable pursuits where he felt that he would be more amply rewarded, and where in fact he has accumulated a competence. Had he remained in the practice of his profession his prominence and re- nown would have increased in the
or retort as the occasion may re- quire, he was an able and accom- plished advocate and is, whenever he will yield to the impulse, almost unsurpassed as a public speaker.
The friends of Mr. Lewis have often urged him to accept office, but
JOHN L. LEWIS.
proportion to the increase of his field of experience and operation. Of this there can be no doubt; for, of magnetic presence, with a mind of natural classical tendency, a faultless command of smooth but vigorous English, broad views, and resourceful with ever ready satire
he has never cared to do so and has therefore steadfastly declined in the main, although he has held several offices in the town and village cor- poration, and is now postmaster, as le has been for a number of years.
On the 17th day of June, 1885, he was married to Miss Georgia E.
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
Harrison, of the state of Georgia, a lady whose culture and refinement has given charm and cherished com- panionship to their domestic life.
PARKHURST, HENRY BYRON, SR., North Troy, is one of the best known business men in Orleans county. He has been in business, at the same stand, for thirty-two years, and has, by dint of hard work and just dealing, built up a large and varied business. He was born in North Troy, January 10, 1832. His
HENRY B. PARKHURST, SR.
father and mother were pioneers, and kept the first hotel, there being but three houses in town at the time. He was a veteran of the Civil war, serving three years and being honorably discharged. He served the town as postmaster during the Cleveland administration.
On March 14, 1867, he married Miss Mary E. Norris, and there have been born to them four children:
Simon James, who deceased October 13, 1870; Henry B., born November 3, 1872; Elva I., born November 21, 1874; and Clara J., born July 28, 1881.
Mr. Parkhurst is a member of Union lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and a member of the Bailey post, G. A. R .. He has associated with him, in business, his son, Henry B. Parkhurst, Jr., and deals in grocer- ies, meats, provisions, etc. They also handle milk and cream either at wholesale or retail, and run one of the best livery stables in the section, making a specialty of undertaking.
WESTFIELD.
Population, Census of 1900, 646.
The town was chartered to Daniel Owen and his associates by the state of Vermont, May 15, 1780; during the year it was surveyed by General James Whitelaw of Ryegate. In 1:98, Jesse Olds located in town and thus became the first settler. The next year, 1:99, William Hobbs, John Hartley, and Anthony Burgess came with their families.
March 29, 1802, the first town meeting was held, and Jesse Olds was elected town clerk.
There was, at this time, no grist- mill nearer than Craftsbury, and in 1803 Lyman Taft of Montague, Massachusetts, was induced, by a free grant of land, to erect a mill on Taft's brook.
In the spring of 1804 Captain Medad Hitchcock came with his thrce sons, Thomas, Heber, and Smith, from Brimfield, Massachu- setts; they settled where the village of Westfield now is. In 1806 Cap- tain Hitchcock erected a sawmill,
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
and the following year his son, Thomas, built a grist-mill near by.
In 1838, Orlando Winslow and Russell S. Page opened the first general store in town.
The War of 1812 proved a severe set back to the newly settled town, from which it did not recover for several years. When Lincoln made his call for troops Westfield nobly responded and during those dark days she sent forty-three of her sons to the defence of the flag.
The Congregational church was organized April 19, 1818, the church being erected ten years later. The Methodist society was organized February 22, 1831, and their church was erected in 1869.
AARON C. HITCHCOCK.
HITCHCOCK, AARON CHARLES, was born in Westfield, July 19, 1823, and died March, 1900. He was the seventh in descent from Luke Hitchcock, who settled in New
Haven, Connecticut, in 1644, from which place his two sons, Luke and John, removed to Springfield, Mas- sachusetts, building a log house on the present site of the old court house, which habitation was burned down when Springfield was attacked and pillaged by the Indians. The great-grandfather of Aaron was the first white settler who remained through the winter in Brimfield, Massachusetts, and was one of the original proprietors of that town, from whence Captain Medad Hitch- cock removed to Westfield in 1805, and there built the first grist and sawmill and the first frame barn, the latter serving for a church and schoolhouse for a time.
The Hitchcock family have al- ways been prominent in Westfield and no member more so than Aaron C. Hitchcock, whose education was received in the public schools. His father died when he was seventeen years old and on him devolved much responsibility, ably borne, as the eldest of a family of six.
Mr. Hitchcock devoted his life mainly to agricultural pursuits and was a pioneer in fruit growing in this section and, as a farmer and business man, he was eminently successful.
He was married March 12, 1849, to Calista S., daughter of Jonathan and Lydia (Rowell) Jenkins of Kirby, who is a direct descendant of the famous Hannah Dustin. They had three children: Charles S. (de- ceased), Edward A. (deceased), and Emma C. (Mrs. Hiram O. Miller).
Since the foundation of the Re- publican party Mr. Hitchcock was a sturdy adherent of the same, and, while in no sense a politician, he was often called on to serve his
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
town. In 1860 and 1861 he was fitly chosen to represent Westfield in the state legislature, and at the special session in April, 1861. He
Westfield Town Library building," which will be a lasting monument to his memory, his generosity, and interest in his town.
Westfreh Library
HITCHCOCK MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY.
was a trustee of the Westfield gram- mar school from its incorporation and for thirty-five years was its treasurer and prudential committee.
At the age of twenty-five he be- came an active member of the Con- gregational church, to which he was a most liberal contributor and sup- porter, always active in Sunday- school work and taking much inter- est in home and foreign missions. His success in the course of a long and active career was the result of his personal energy, common sense, and natural good judgment. His last publie benefaction was the erec- tion of the "Hitchcock Museum and
HITCHCOCK, HOMER B., was born in Westeld, Vermont, Septem- ber 26, 18:1, son of Deacon M. C. Hitchcock. He received his educa- tion at the common schools and Westfield grammar school, and took a business course at Bryant & Stratton's college. Was clerk for W. H. Williams & Brothers at Prov- idence, Rhode Island, for nearly three years, then returned to West- field in January, 1897, and went into the mercantile business, in which he has met with success. His experience in that business for the last ten years has given him a knowledge of the public wants and
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
how to please. He is now town clerk of Westfield.
At the age of nineteen years he united with the Congregational
HOMER B. HITCHCOCK.
church in Westfield, and has since been an active worker in church matters, a member of the Christian Endeavor society, and has been su- perintendent of the Sunday-school for ten years. He is a very prom- ising business man and liked by all.
FARMAN. REV. MARCELLUS WINSLOW, a son of Ashley and Har- riet N. Farman, was born July 29, 1865, attended the schools of his town and entered the State Normal school at Johnson when he was fif- teen. His eyesight began soon to fail and later he was compelled to use other people's eyes.
He entered the University of Vermont and remained there three years, employing a reader and gain- ing, in his studies, excellent
marks, and securing not only the respect but the friendship of the professors and of President Bnck- ham.
In 1890 he appeared on the lec- ture platform for the first time, giving a spirited address before the Burlington Y. M. C. A. Since that time he has leetnred in many towns and cities and received many sin- cere words of praise from such men as former Senator Edmunds, Pres- ident Buckham, and many others also well known.
During the past several years he has been reading theology as well as lecturing, and in 1901 he was or- dained as a clergyman in the Ortho- dox Congregational church, since which time he has filled many a
REV. MARCELLUS W. FARMAN.
pulpit as supply; among these engagements being that at the Boylston Congregational church, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, and
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
the Egleston Square Methodist church. He has not cared to take a parish, not feeling equal to the numerous responsibilities of one, but his work as a preacher is chiefly in supplying pulpits, and his ability in conducting the entire services, even to the scripture readings, is remarkable. In the fall of 1902, when the Vermont senate met, and a new chaplain was to be elected, his name was brought forward, and he was elected unanimously.
Mr. Farman resides at Westfield and from this peaceful spot he goes out to lecture and to preach, and to it returns to take up again his quiet readings and pursue the steady, un- interrupted train of thought which has been such a factor in his devel- opment.
WOODWORTH, DON CLARENCE. was born in Enosburg, April 1, 1864, the son of Luther S. and Re- becca (Christian) Woodworth. His father located in Westfield, when Don C. was fourteen years old, on a farm of 300 acres, keeping forty head of cattle. When he became of age he went in company with his father farming. They bought the sawmill at Westfield village with water-power, and they added steam power, also purchased 1,100 acres of timber land and have handled 1,000,000 feet of lumber yearly, making bobbins and butter boxes, also have a grist-mill attached, giv- ing employment to twenty men. In 1901 they erected a fine residence in Westfield village, where they now live. Don C. Woodworth has held the office of selectman, school director, and others,
He was married September 7, B-5
1892, to Blanche J. Houston of Troy. He has one son, Lyle S., eight years old.
The business was managed suc-
DON C. WOODWORTH.
cessfully and increased from year to year until they sold the property to A. W. Woodworth. Since then D. C. Woodworth has taken charge of the business as agent and mana- ger.
WAKEFIELD, WILLIAM WAL- LACE, of Westfield, son of Alvah and Hannah (Kimpton) Wakefield, was born in Lowell, June 27, 1844. Hle received his early education in the Lowell public schools, and dur- ing his third term at Johnson acad- emy was one of several students who enlisted in Company M. Elev- enth Vermont volunteers, in Sep- tember, 1863. He remained with his command till the close of the war, receiving his discharge Octo- ber 4, 1865; was engaged in all the
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
battles from the Wilderness to Petersburg, including Spottsylvania, North Anna River, and Cold Har- bor, also Weldon Railroad, Wash- ington or Fort Stevens, and Gil- bert's Ford. After his return he engaged in farming at Lowell till
citizen and as a business man, have called him to many official posi- tions, among which may be enum- erated those of selectman, lister, constable, auditor, superintendent of schools, and school director. In 1884 he was appointed deputy
WILLIAM W. WAKEFIELD.
1875, when he became interested in the lumber business at Eden, Ver- mont, where he remained two years. He then located in Westfield and formed a partnership under the firm name of Hoyt & Wakefield to engage in the same line of business.
His sterling qualities, both as a
sheriff, which position he now holds. In 1892 he was elected high bailiff of Orleans county and the same year was sent as town repre- sentative from Westfield to Mont- pelier, where he served creditably on several general and special com- mittees. In the past few years he
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
has been appointed administrator of twelve estates.
He has for a long time been a member of Masonic Union lodge, No. 16, of Troy, and served three years as master, and twenty-four years since passed through the
February 11, 1866, he married Ruth E., daughter of Daniel E. and Amanda M. Newton of Lowell. Of their five children four survive: Emma, Florence, Helen, and Maud.
YOUNG, DR. WILLIAM A., was born at Fredericksburgh, Ontario,
WILLIAM A. YOUNG, M. D.
Royal Arch, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, and has taken a prominent part in Hazen post, G. A. R., and was for three years its commander.
He has always been a strong Re- publican and an active member in the party.
February 22, 1869, a son of Henry and Harriet Young.
William A. Young received his education in the public schools, and at Newburgh academy. For several years he was a successful teacher and here laid the foundation for a splendid understanding of human
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
nature which has been of material aid in his chosen profession. He took up the study of medicine at Queen's university, Kingston, On- tario, and graduated in 1892. He served as house surgeon at the Kingston General Hospital in 1893- '94, and here added much practical knowledge and experience to the technical studies of his college course. Dr. Young then located at Westfield, Vermont, where he has since followed his profession, win- ning a high standing as both a phy- sieian and citizen. "Public-spirited. enthusiastic for all things that will benefit his town, ever ready to re- spond to social, charitable, or pro- fessional calls," is the language of a prominent townsman in speaking of the subject of our sketch.
December 31, 1900, Dr. Young was united in marriage to Ruth, daughter of O. P. Wright of West- field. One child, a daughter, has been born to them, Marion T.
BRYANT, CHRISTOPHER W., of Westfield, was born in Bolton, Prov- ince of Quebec, February 12, 1834, and located in Westfield in 1867. Since that time he has taken a deep interest in everything that would be for the advancement and benefit of the town, has creditably filled the office of selectman, lister, road com- missioner, town grand juror, and all other town offices. In 1894 he rep- resented the town of Westfield in the general assembly and served on general committee of highways.
For the last ten years he has been a director of Ilyde Park Na- tional bank of Lamoille county, and for seven years trustee of Barton Savings Bank and Trust company. One son, W. W. Bryant, is now a farmer in Westfield.
Christopher W. Bryant is a farmer and dealer in live stock. He has always been a strong Republi- can and an active worker in the
CHRISTOPHER W. BRYANT.
party. He was married March ?, 1854, to Orett, daughter of Safford Farman.
LOWELL.
Population, Census of 1900, 982.
March 5, 1787, the town of Lowell was granted and chartered by Governor Chittenden to John Kelley of New York. The original name of the town was Kelleyville. November 1, 1831, the name was changed to Lowell.
Major William Caldwell from Massachusetts commenced improve- ments on his land in 1803, and from this dates the first settlement of the town. In the spring of 1807 John IIarding came to town draw- ing his family-with the assistance
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
of four others-on three hand- sleds.
The town was organized March 31, 1812, Abel Curtis being the first town elerk. Captain Asahel Curtis was the first representative of the town, and Abel Curtis became the first postmaster in 1819, and held the office for twenty years.
The first birth was a son to John Harding. Asahel Curtis built the first grist-mill, and Abel Curtis built the first frame house, which stood until 1814, when Mr. Curtis tore it down. The Methodists and Congregationalists built the first church in 184 ?.
During the war of 1812 a fort was erected near the present Con- gregational church. For the Civil war Lowell furnished sixty men.
KINSLEY, RUFUS, son of Ben A. and Catherine (Montague) Kins ev. was born in Fletcher, October 9. 1831. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812 two years, serving under Wade Hampton, and was wounded at the battle of La Cole Mill, Canada.
Rufus Kinsley enlisted in Com- pany F, Eighth Vermont Volunteer infantry, November 29. 1861, served as corporal (most of the time under detached service) until 1863. He was one of sixty sharpshooters of the Eighth Vermont who undertook the hazardous enterprise of captur- ing rifle-pits, occupied by about two hundred rebels, in response to a call of General Weitzel, thereby saving the Union fleet of five gunboats, re- sulting in a signal Union victory. This on the river Teche, Louisiana, Jannary 14, 1863. Ile was commis- sioned second lieutenant in October. 1863, by Major-General Nathaniel P. Banks, commanding Department
of the Gulf, and assigned to com- mand of Company B, Second regi- ment Infantry Corps, d'Afrique serving until June, 1864, when upon consolidation of the colored regi- ments he was assigned to Company G, Seventy-fourth United States Colored troops. He was in com- mand of this company during the siege and bombardment of Fort Morgan, Mobile bay, August, 1864. Resigned July 18, 1865, on sur- geon's certificate of disability.
Soon after the surrender of New Orleans, being a printer by trade, he was detached by order of General Butler and ordered to inventory confiscated printing material, after which he served (as quartermaster) for contrabands. Among other
RUFUS KINSLEY.
work for them he printed his own school material and gave hundreds of them the rudiments of an educa- tion in the face of Section 28 of the
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
statutes of Louisiana, which, prior to the war, made such teaching a crime "punishable by twenty years impris- onment, or death, at the discretion of the conrt."
He located at Lowell in 18:2, on a farm, one half mile from village, of two hundred seventy-five acres; has been and still is an active worker in Hazen post, No. 74, G. A. R.
He was married, April 10, 1872, to Ella Bingham of Fletcher. He has seven children: Clayton B., Benton A., Amy L., Lester M., Le- Roy T., F. Guy, and Chellis A.
NEWTON, H. H., son of Daniel E. and Amanda M. (Drury) New- ton, was born in Grafton, Massa- chusetts, December 15, 1839. He
H. H. NEWTON.
came, with his parents, to Lowell, Vermont, at the age of sixteen. He received his education in the common schools. He enlisted
October 19, 1861, in Company A, Eighth Vermont Volunteer infan- try, promoted to sergeant 1863, re- enlisted in the same regiment 1864 as a veteran, was commissioned second lieutenant 1864, Com- pany A, Eighth Vermont Vol- unteer infantry. Participated in all the battles of his regi- ment as follows: New Orleans, Boutte Station, Bayou Des Alle- mands, Steamer Cotton, Port Hud- son May 27, 1863, Port Hudson June 10, 1863. Opequon, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Newton. At Cedar Creek, October 24, 1864, while on detached service, he re- ceived a broken leg, by the fall of his horse. He was discharged in July, 1865, at the close of the war.
On his return from the war he engaged in farming until 1875 in Lowell, then located in Eden, La- moille county, and engaged in the lumber business. While in Eden he served as selectman, lister, school committee, represented Eden in the legislature in 1888, serving on the committee of state prison. In 1889 he moved back to Lowell, where he now resides. In Lowell he has held the offices of selectman, lister, eight years; school director, first constable, deputy sheriff for past twelve years of Orleans county, has been justice of the peace for twenty-one years, and was ap- pointed agent of Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance company of Mont- pelier in 1900.
He has two sons: George H. Newton, M. D., of Cambridge, Ver- mont, and Frank S. Newton of Lynn, Massachusetts. He has al- ways been a Republican and an active worker in the party. He has for a long time been a member of
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
the Masonic order and twenty-six years since passed through the Royal Arch, and is a prominent member of the Grand Army.
CURTIS, WILLIAM ERNEST, son of Don B. and Rhoda (Harding) Curtis, was born in Lowell, October
a Republican and took a deep inter- est in the welfare of the party. Such a man would naturally and properly be sought for public office. Accordingly we find him acceptably filling the positions of selectman, lister, school director, treasurer.
WILLIAM E. CURTIS.
9, 1850. He received his education in the common schools of Lowell. He was postmaster sixteen years. He went into mercantile business in Lowell in 1874, and he also manu- factured butter tubs for several years, employing a large amount of help in the factory. He was always
He was elected representative to the legislature in 1886. His en- ergy, ability, and force were recog- nized and he was elected county senator in 1896 from Orleans county, where he creditably served on several general and special com- mittees. He was a member of the
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
M. E. church and was instrumental in building the church at Lowell.
He was married December 5, 1875, to Ella C. Watson. He died March 23, 1900, aged forty-nine years. He had one son, George E., born February 21, 1877, who took
Stephenson. Was educated in the common schools of Lowell and Kimball Union academy, Meriden, New Hampshire, and then grad- uated from business college, New Haven, Connecticut. He was a farmer's son, his father being one
IRVIN STEVENSON.
his father's place in the store and tub factory, also as postmaster.
William E. Curtis' grandfather Harding's family was the second one which settled in Lowell in 1809.
STEPHENSON, IRVIN, was born in Lowell, Vermont, April 5, 1855, son of Irvin and Eliza M. ( Fletcher)
of the successful farmers of Lowell, and a thorough business man. He commenced teaching school winters at the age of eighteen and contin- ued this for ten years.
Ile entered the mercantile busi- ness in Lowell in 1885, and still continues in this line, in which he
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