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 48
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 48
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 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
has met with success. His experi- ence has given him a knowledge of the public wants and how to please. He has served as postmaster, select- man, school director, justice of the peace, town treasurer for eleven years and is at the present time, and for four years has been, town clerk, is trustee of public money, trustee of Barton Savings Bank and Trust company, administrator of several estates.
Mr. Stephenson is a member of the Congregational church and an active worker, having been deacon for the past ten years, and he has been superintendent of the Sunday- school for the past six years.
He married Mary L. Smith of Chatham, New York, November 13, 1889. He has four children: Lonise A., Sanford J., Marion E., Robert L.
He is an active, energetic, and efficient man of business; shrewd. intelligent, and honorable in all his transactions.
GLOVER .*
Population, Census of 1900, 891.
Glover is six miles square and contains 23.040 acres. It was granted to and named for General John Glover, one of Washington's trusted generals, and his sixty-two associates, with five public reserves, in a charter dated November 20, 1783. Barton, Passumpsic, La- moille, and Black rivers drain its surface. One of the "great divides" in the state is found in the south- eastern part of the town, where the drainage to the first three rivers may be traced. There were six ponds in town: Glover, Mud, Stone,
Daniels, Sweeney, and Parker. The bed of Glover pond is now known as "Runaway pond." June 6, 1810, a large number of men went to the north end of the pond to dig a ditch so its waters, which discharged into the Lamoille river, would flow into the Barton to supply more water for the grist-mill owned by Aaron Wil- son on that stream. After digging through the gravelly crust the party struck a bank of quicksand, which was quickly cut out as the water en- tered the ditch, and the pond was soon drained. The supply of water was all the mill ever needed, as the flood carried away every vestige of it and no part of it has ever been found. Spencer Chamberlin out- stripped the torrent in its mad race northward and was able to give the timely warning to the miller's wife. who was left in charge of the mill while her husband was at the pond, and to the few others on the route.
The town was first settled by James Vance, in 198. locating a little east of the present West Glover village. He was followed by Ralph Parker, the same year, who settled near the pond that bears his name. The first town-meeting was held at his house, March 25, 1802. He was the first representative from this town, serving in the legislature from 1802 to 1814. Samuel Cook came the next year and was the first to hold county office from this town, being elected assistant judge, 1815- '20. Those who have held that office since from this town are Charles Ilardy, John Boardman, Solomon Dwinell, James Simonds, Emery Cook, C. P. Owen, and William F. Clark. E. B. Simonds and Dr. Wil-
* Sketch of town prepared by Hon. William F. Clark.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
bur F. Templeton have served as county senators.
In the War of 1812 this town fur- nished sixteen volunteers. In the Civil war ninety-four are credited to the town. Of these nineteen were killed in battle or died of dis- ease or wounds. In this sacrifice are numbered two young and brave officers, Major Carlos Dwinell and Captain Dan Mason.
and the other two built houses of their own. A church was built in the west part of the town in 1832.
Orleans Liberal institute was in-
corporated in 1852. Under the able supervision of Isaac Parker and George W. Todd, this school reached its zenith as one of the leading schools in this part of the state. Its alumni number many who have been prominent in state
By courtesy of l'ermont, 1903.
APPROACH TO RUNAWAY POND.
The first Congregational society was organized July 12, 1817. The Methodist Episcopal society was or- ganized as a part of the Craftsbury circuit in 1818 and as a separate charge in 1861. The Universalist society was organized in 1833. A church was built at Glover in 1830. This was a union church. Later this became the Universalist church
and national affairs. One was chief magistrate of this state, one was eighteen years in congress, one was a general in the Civil war, and many others have been prominent in state legislatures, on the bench, and in the professions.
WELLS, BERT U., was born in Danville, March 6, 1867, son of George D. and Emma F. (Wood-
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
ward) Wells. His maternal grand- father was Dr. Calvin Woodward of Danville.
Mr. Wells attended the schools of his native town, and at eighteen years of age completed his edu- cation, and when twenty-one went to Newport. He entered the em-
phase of the printing and publishing business from "devil" to managing editor. The experience of Mr. Wells during his two years of ap- prenticeship did not vary materially from that of others, but his keen grasp of the labors of his chosen field amply fitted him for a success-
BERT U. WELLS.
ploy of A. A. Earle on the Express and Standard. While learning his trade on that paper, Theophilus Grout became its owner. There is perhaps no place where a boy or young man gets more hard and bene- ficial knocks than in a country printing office, where he gets every
ful business and journalistie career. Being a man of great energy and untiring zeal, he naturally com- manded success, when in 1890 he went to Lyndonville and purchased of H. B. Davis the Lyndonville Journal. For two years Mr. Wells was in partnership with W. B. Bul-
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
lock; after that he became the sole proprietor, and for ten years the Journal was a commanding figure in the field of Vermont journalism. bright, clean, and snappy. Under his careful but energetic proprietor- ship its circulation had increased from 400, under Mr. Davis, to 3500 when he sold out to E. O. Leonard, February, 1902. Twice was Mr. Wells burned out while he owned the Journal, but not an issue of the paper failed to reach its subscribers.
In April, 1902, Mr. Wells bought out the general store of R. E. French of Glover, and in September, 1903, Wylie S. Willard, his brother- in-law, entered the business. The business has grown from a small country general store until to-day it is the leading mercantile house of the town.
June 5, 1900, Mr. Wells married Mae L., daughter of Dr. George W. Colby (see Sutton). They have one child. Harold Colby, born August 7, 1901.
Mr. Wells is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Red Men. and a member of the Lyndon Social club.
WILLARD, WYLIE S., a sm of Paul and Orpha (Jillson) Willard (see Sheffield), was born at Sheffield October 8, 1879. He attended the public schools of his native town and graduated from Lyndon Com- mercial college in 1899.
He married June 15, 1901. Maude Glenn, daughter of Dr. George W. and Emily (Kincaid) Colby.(see Sut- ton). They have one child, a dangh- ter, Cecile Mae.
November 23, 1901, Mr. Willard bought a splendid farm in Sutton and remained there until September 1, 1903, when he bought a half in-
terest in the Bert U. Wells general store at Glover, the business being conducted under the firm name of Wells & Willard.
WYLIE S. WILLARD.
Mr. Willard is the embodiment of integrity, good judgment, and business energy, and during his short business career in Glover has won a marked degree of public con- fidence and favor.
CLARK, SIMEON N., was born in Glover on November 5, 1842. His father, Cephas C. Clark, was born in Rutland, September 30, 1809, and came to Glover with his parents in 1816. His mother, Hannah D. (King) Clark, was born in Gilman- ton, New Hampshire, June 13, 1814. His home has always been on the farm where he was born and now resides, near the center of the town.
His education was secured in the common schools and at the Orleans Liberal institute. He taught school
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
in various places in Orleans, Frank- lin, and Caledonia counties.
November 11, 18:1, he was mar- ried to Eunice A. Aldrich, daughter of Noble and Emily S. Aldrich of Glover. Four children came to gladden their home, two girls and two boys. Mr. Clark has served his town as selectman, town grand juror, auditor of town accounts, su- perintendent of schools, and school director. He represented his town in the legislature in 1900. He has been one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal church for
SIMEON N. CLARK.
many years, and also a local preacher of the same.
COOK, LEONE R., of Yarmouth- ville, Maine, a son of Emery and Calista (Reckard) Cook, was born at Craftsbury, Vermont, September 25, 1853. When four years old he went with his parents to live at
Glover, which has always been re- garded as his boyhood home. He attended the district schools until fifteen years of age, and then went to work on a farm for a year, at the end of which time he went to Bar- ton and entered the academy, where he remained for a year. He then entered the drug store of Myron W. Joslyn, but six months later the store passed into the hands of a new proprietor. Mr. Cook then went to Island Pond and entered the employ of George S. Robinson, then and for many years Essex county's leading druggist. Here Mr. Cook remained for six years, a part of the time working for N. E. Bonney, and at twenty-four went to Mechanic Falls, Maine, but six months later he bought the drug business of George E. Thoits at Yarmouthville, Maine. Here he has remained ever since, and has not only built up a splendid patron- age, but won both publie confidence and esteem. Always active, ener- getic, and desirous to serve any worthy cause, he united with the First Baptist church, and for many vears has been the efficient super- intendent of its Sunday-school. For more than twenty years he has served Yarmouth as town clerk, two years as first selectman, town treas- urer, and a member of the board of health. In 1893 he represented the class towns of Yarmouth and North Yarmouth in the Maine legislature, and in 1903 was appointed by Gov- ernor Hill trial justice for Cumber- land county.
September 8, 1828, he was united in marriage to Clara J., daughter of Joseph Andrew (see Brighton, Es- sex county) and Lucinda Jenkins, a descendant of Lemuel Jenkins, a.
LEONE R. COOK.
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
soldier of the Revolution (see Jen- kins family in Kirby, Caledonia county). By this happy union, two children have been born; one died in infancy, and Edith, born July 30, 1881, died July 16, 1900.
Mr. Cook has always taken a deep
Hampshire, February 9, 1836, a son of James and Adaline D. (West) Templeton. Dr. James Templeton, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Montpelier, Vermont, and located in New Hampshire, but in 1843 returned to his native town.
WILBUR F. TEMPLETON, M. D.
interest in fraternal work, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and the various Masonie organizations. TEMPLETON, DR. WILBUR FISK, was born in Tilton, New
Dr. Wilbur F. Templeton at- tended the schools of Montpelier, and graduated from the Eclectic Medical college of the city of New York. He located a few years at Barre. In 1862 he entered the
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
army as a contract surgeon for two and a half years. In 1864 Dr. Tem- pleton located in Glover, and re- mained for more than twenty years and in 1887 moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he remained till 1901, when, on account of poor health, he returned to Glover. While in Manchester he was for a number of years president of the New Hampshire State Ecleetie Med-
1882 was a senator for Orleans county.
He was united in marriage to Elizabeth A., daughter of Harry Richardson of Barre.
PHILLIPS, CHESTER S., a son of Josiah B. Phillips, was born in Glover, on April 12. 1854. His education was obtained in the schools of Glover. He worked on
-SPhilly's
I se dentist
8
A CORNER IN C. S. PHILLIPS' STUDIO.
ical society. He has served as pres- ident of the New England Eclectic Medical association.
He served several years as mem- ber of New Hampshire state board of medical examiners, and only re- signed when he relocated in Ver- mont.
In 1876, 1878, 1880 Dr. Temple- ton represented Glover in the gen- eral assembly of Vermont, and in
the farm until the age of twenty- three, when he went to Cornish, New Hampshire, and learned the gunsmith's trade. In 1829 he re- turned to Glover, and later bought an interest in the furniture and un- dertaking business of J. E. Dwinell, the business being carried on under the firm name of Dwinell & Phillips until 1887, when he became the sole proprietor.
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
Mr. Phillips is a taxidermist sec- ond to none, having for the past twenty-four years given this art branch of his work the careful study of both the artist and naturalist. The work of Mr. Phillips in this line is of a peculiarly high quality owing to the method employed. Mr. Phillips makes the forms for heads and all large game entirely of wood, mostly of cedar. The process en- ables him to get the desired shape
MOOSE.
Set up by
Phillips.
and makes them very durable. The large amount of work he is receiving from all over New England proves that this method is very satisfactory.
His rooms are well stocked with unusually fine specimens, and only have to be seen to be appreciated. Many of the noted men of the coun- try are among Mr. Phillips' patrons, which is a most eloquent tribute to his ability, taste, and love of taxidermy as one of the fine arts.
In October, 1884, he was married to May Randall of Glover, Vermont. Mrs. Phillips died September, 1885, and in 1887 he married Isora Gates of East St. Johnsbury. One child, a son, has blessed this union, George B.
COLBURNE, IRA, JR., late of Glover, was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire, October 13, 1808. His father, Ira Colburne, was born in 1784, in Tunbridge, Vermont. He married Mary Mason, of Provi- dence, Rhode Island. The family comes of a lustrous ancestry, famous in the annals of Revolution- ary times.
Asa Colburne, the grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier, born in Tunbridge in 1:40. He was a pensioner of the Revolutionary war, and participated at the fes- tivities of the famous "Boston Tea Party."
Samnel Colburne, brother of Ira Colburne. Sr., was a college class- mate of Daniel Webster, both re- ceiving pecuniary assistance of William Wood, an uncle of Samuel Colburne, enabling them to pursue their studies. Another brother, fa- mous in the educational world, was the author of "Colburne's arithme- tic."
The parents of Ira Colburne, Jr., moved to Glover in 1812. His early education was obtained at the Orleans Liberal institute, of that town, and Brownington academy, one year being spent in the study of law at Irasburg. He gained a good education, and became a successful public school teacher.
For his first wife he married Ce- lena Cisco, on October 6, 1830, five children resulting from this
B-S
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
marriage: Amanda, Celena, Eliza, Ellen and Henry.
On September 13, 1843, he mar- ried Mary, daughter of Rev. Thomas and Ruth (Lord) Ward of Westfield. The children of this union were: Mary, Lovila, Mahala,
in his advanced age was able to greatly assist his grandchildren in their school work. He had an ex- ceedingly strong will; with his opinion of the right in view he never wavered; at the same time he was a most considerate husband
IRA COLBURNE.
Evangeline, Emma, Lydia, and Clara.
Ira Colburne was a great reader of history and the Bible, and kept himself well posted on current events. He took special interest in matters of education and gave his children the best of schooling, and
and father. In his religious belief he was a Congregationalist, and for many years was a member of that church.
He had one son, two sons-in- law and two brothers in the War of the Rebellion.
His were family interests rather
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
than a public life. From a farm of almost a forest he supported his family in comfort and had enough laid by to supply the necessities of his old age.
DOW, DR. NELSON LUCIUS, a son of Luther C. and Lovinia (Dewey)
then took up the study of medicine, attending lectures for three years at the University of Vermont and the Hahnemann Medical college of Chicago, Illinois, and graduated at the latter college with the degree of M. D. in February, 1887.
NELSON L. Dow, M. D.
Dow, was born at Albany, Vermont, June 8, 1861. He received his edu- cation in the public schools and at Craftsbury and St. Johnsbury acad- emies. He then taught school for three years and laid a solid founda- tion for his life-work, by a splendid study of human nature. Mr. Dow
Dr. Dow located for a few months at Irasburg, and in the fall of 1887 established himself at Sheffield, where he remained for five and one half years, meeting with good sue- cess in both the treatment of dis- ease and publie favor.
In May, 1893, Dr. Dow sought
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
for a wider field of usefulness and located in Glover, where he has es- tablished a large and lucrative prae- tiee. He is a member of the Ver- mont State Homeopathic Medical society, and examining surgeon on the United States pension board at Newport, Vermont, and was secre- tary of that board for four years. He is medical examiner for all of the leading life insurance com- panies, and is regarded by the pro- fession as a man of character and skill in his chosen life-work.
Dr. Dow married. December 31, 1889, Lilla B., daughter of Ira T. Pierce of Albany. They have one child, Grace, born April 4, 1897.
WILLIAM F. CLARK.
CLARK, HON. WILLIAM FRED- ERICK, was born in Glover Jannary 7,1849.
His father was Frederick P. A. Clark, son of Cephas Clark, a sol- dier in the War of 1812, and Deb-
orah (Wilbur) Clark, a descendant of Samuel Wilbur, who came from England to Boston in 1633 and sub- sequently followed Roger Williams in his banishment and beeame one of the founders of Rhode Island.
His mother's maiden name was Eliza J. King, whose great-grand- father served in the Revolution and was killed in battle.
Mr. Clark attended Orleans Lib- eral institute several terms and nearly completed a seminary and college preparatory course of study in Montpelier seminary.
He has held the offices of lister, superintendent of schools, justice of the peace, and eensus enumerator in 1890. He represented his town in the 1896 legislature, and in the special session of 1898 he presented the leading bill providing for the Spanish war. He is now one of the assistant judges of the Orleans county court.
He is senior steward in the Meth- odist church. He is a member of Orleans lodge, No. 55, F. & A. M .; Keystone chapter, No. 16: Malta commandery, No. 10, and Mount Sinai temple, Mystic Shrine.
Judge Clark married Elizabeth Marston in 1871. She was a daugh- ter of Deacon Charles Marston and a niece of General Gilman Marston, whose ancestry date back to the fol- lowers of William the Conqueror, 1066, who were allotted the manor of Marston Moor for valiant ser- viees under him.
The children of Judge and Mrs. William F. Clark are Charles Fred- erick, a graduate of the University of Vermont, 1897; Arthur William, now in the senior class in the same college; Eliza Emeline, and James Gilman.
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
IRASBURG.
Population, Census of 1900, 939.
February 23, 1781, the state of Vermont granted to Ira Allen and his sixty-nine associates the town of Irasburg.
The first settlement was by Caleb Leach in 1798. The town was or- ganized in March, 1803. Caleb Leach became the first representa- tive, at the freeman's meeting in 1804.
Ralph Parker built the first saw and grist-mill in 1803.
In 1789 Ira Allen received con- veyances from all the original pro- prietors and thus became the sole owner of the town, excepting the "public rights."
When Jerusha, eldest daughter of General Roger Enos, engaged herself to General Allen, the father required the usual marriage settle- ment, and Allen deeded to her the town of Irasburg.
In 1792 General James White- law was employed to survey the township and completed his task in 1793.
Ira H. Allen came to the town in 1814 and remained until his death in 1866. The lands belonged to his mother and at her decease, in 1838, came to him as the sole heir.
He took a leading part in the af- fairs of the town, was clerk two years, selectman six years, repre- sentative ten terms, served the county one year as probate judge, five years in the state council, one year as council of censors and in 1842 was appointed aide on the gov- ernor's staff.
Irasburg furnished 104 men for the Civil war.
THE M. E. CHURCHI, Irasburg, Vermont. The earliest record we find of this church is in 1828, in connection with the Irasburg cir-
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, IRASBURG.
enit, which included Irasburg, Bar- ton, Glover, Brownington, Derby, Holland, Morgan, Coventry, Charles- ton, and Newport. The circuit preachers this year were H. S. Ramsdell and William Peck. There were ninety-six members and pro- bationers in Irasburg that year. Since 1828 separate charges have been formed in most of the towns mentioned. Land for a church building was bought in 1835, and thereon a church erected. Later on a vestry was added to the building. Land for a parsonage was bought in 1841. That land and parsonage were disposed of and the present parsonage bought in 1872.
At the present time there are
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
one hundred and twenty members and probationers in the church.
The following named preachers have served this church since 1870 in the order in which they are named: John McDonald, H. F. Forest, S. B. Currier, A. H. Webb, A. B. Blake, A. C. Smith, I. P. Chase, W. C. Johnson, A. G. Austin, P. N. Granger, and J. E. Knapp.
HOLDRIDGE, FREDERICK H., son of Reuben G. and Hannah (Skiff) Holdridge, was born in Char- lotte, March 22, 1841. His father died when Frederick was twelve years old and as he was the eldest of a family of six children he early learned to pay his way and assist his mother in the support of the family. He worked out on farms
FREDERICK H. HOLDRIDGE.
and attended school winters, as op- portunity offered.
In the autumn of 1861 he enlist- ed in the First Vermont cavalry
and participated in most of the sev- enty-two battles and engagements which that noted regiment inscribed on its banners. He reënlisted, was wounded at Hanover Court House, was taken prisoner, but soon pa- roled and was honorably discharged with his regiment at the close of the war.
Soon after he went to Irasburg as a clerk, and later engaged mi trade there seven years, filling the position of postmaster nearly six years. Later he was appointed deputy sheriff and served the county several termis as high sheriff. He has held various town offices and is the present member of the legislature from Irasburg.
During the past twenty-one years Mr. Holdridge has been mail clerk on the Boston & Maine railroad.
Mr. Holdridge married Sophia W. Worthington of Irasburg and they have one daughter, Mattie B.
He is a member of Morning Sun lodge, No. 5, F. and A. M., of Brid- port and of John A. Woodward post, G. A. R., of Irasburg. As a useful and upright citizen, a patriot in war and peace, Mr. Holdridge is universally well known and es- teemed.
GRANT, CAPTAIN EBEN, was born in Saco, Maine, on February 20, 1829. His father was Ebenezer Grant. He married Miss Dana Cil- ley; both parents were of Scotch de- scent. Eben, our subject, came to Irasburg when twenty-two years of age. He gained his education in the common schools of his native town, and learned the machinist's trade, at which he worked for sex- eral years in Lowell, Massachusetts, previous to his marriage to Adeline Wells, in 1849. Miss Wells was
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
born in Walden, Vermont, in 1830. Soon after marriage he settled in Irasburg on a traet of 162 acres, which he cleared and made one of
EBEN GRANT.
the best farms in this county. Cap- tain Grant resided on this farm during the remainder of his lite, with the exception of his service in the late Civil war of three and one half years. When the War of the Rebellion broke out Captain Grant dropped his sickle and gladly took up his gun in the cause of the Union. He entered the army as a private and won promotion through the various grades and was mustered out as captain of his company.
Captain Grant was the father of eleven children, five of whom are now living. Three of these ehil- dren are residents of Manchester, New Hampshire, and two, Fred J. and Archie E., are esteemed citizens of Irasburg.
TYLER, MRS. MARY ELIZA HAYNES, was born in Westford January 12, 1836, died at Brattle- boro, December 2, 1900, second daughter of the distinguished Dr. Thomas Haynes of Westford. She was an unusual woman in many re- spects. The Rev. E. P. Treat, in her funeral sermon, said: "Her mind was strong as few, perhaps no others in this community were. Such a mind as hers is not the gift of God alone, but rather the result of long, hard training, leading to wise development. It was possible for her to have such a remarkable memory, to be such an unusual stu- dent, to have such an understanding of things past and present, only, because she used her mind and made it by long years of training a mind far greater than that which God gave her.
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