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 59
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 59
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 59
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In 1880 Major Gront returned to
Vermont and located on the Hin- man homestead in Derby, one of the largest, best improved and most completely equipped farms in Ver- mont. Here he has since given full scope to his high abilities in a most congenial pursuit, and one which he pursues with genuine en- thusiasm, and he is widely known as a most successful agriculturist and stock-raiser. showing some of the most superior Jersey cattle. Morgan horses, and Shropshire sheep to be found within the limits of the state.
Soon after his return to Ver- mont, Major Grout found a rein- troduction to public life. He was elected to the assembly from Derby in 1884, and again took a leading part in that body, and served on the judiciary and other important committees. He was re-elected in 1886 and 1888. and was chosen speaker at both sessions. He made an admirable presiding officer, dis- patching business with method and promptness, ruling with instant de- cision and unassailable fairness. and bearing himself so courteously toward all as to command complete respect. In 1892 he was elected senator from Orleans county, and in that position he gave even high- er evidence of his powers as a wise and far-sighted legislator, making such a record as to lead to his nomination for governor by the Republican State convention held in Burlington in June, 1896. At the ensuing election he was elected by the largest majority ever given a candidate for that position in all the history of the state. His ad- ministration was conservative, and conducive to the best interests of the state, along all lines, indus-
JOSIAH GROUT.
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-- -
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trial, commercial, and moral, com- manding the approval of the best people throughout the state, re- gardless of their political views. It was the privilege of Governor Grout as commander-in-chief of the National Guard of Vermont, to ride at its head on two notable oc- casions. at the inauguration of Major William McKinley as presi- dent. and at the dedication of the tomb of General U. S. Grant in New York city.
He enjoys the distinction of being Vermont's Spanish war governor, and of tendering the Vermont troops for service in that war ear- lier than the troops of any other state were offered. On the com- pletion of his official term Gover- nor Grout returned to his acens- tomed avocation, in which he re- engaged with the old-time earnest- ness and satisfaction.
An ardent and lifelong Republi- can Major Grout has at all times ex- ereised a potent influence in the councils of his party, and has been an active figure in various state and national conventions. and an effective speaker in many hard- fought campaigns. He was for several years president of the Der- by Republican club, and he was vice-president of the Republican league of Vermont for four years and president for one year. Deep- ly interested in educational affairs, he has been for many years a trus- tee of Derby academy and president of the board and chairman of the executive committee. In all the re- lationships of life, as a soldier, citi- zen and publie official, his conduct has ever been characterized by conscientious devotion to the pur- pose in hand, and his every task
has been undertaken industriously and perseveringly. No taint of misdoing or undne selfishness has ever attached to his name, and he is known as one who has held his integrity unsullied in whatever place or in charge of whatever trust.
Governor Grout has been em- ploved in the settlement of many important estates; for many terms in succession he has been chairman of the board of village trustees.
He is a member of the Vermont Officers' Reunion Society, having served the society as a member of the executive committee, its vice- president, its president, and in 1894 delivered the annual oration before the society. taking for his subject, "Abraham Lincoln in the War." Governor Grout is and has been a trustee of the Soldiers' Home ever since its organization.
Major Grout was married Octo- ber. 1868, to Miss Harriet Hinman. an accomplished woman, who in home and society has acted well her part. Aaron H. Grout. their only child, was prepared for college in Derby academy, and graduated from the University of Vermont in 1901. He spent some time traveling in Egypt and Europe. visiting places up the Nile and in England, France, and Italy. He is now a law student and gives promise of a successful career. He is a member of the Kappa Signia fra- ternity, and was president of his senior class in college.
Mrs. Grout is of distinguished ancestry. In the paternal line she is a descendent of Sergeant Ed- ward Hinman who came in 1650 to Stamford, Connecticut, and from whom are descended all of the
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family name in this country. His son, Benjamin, married Elizabeth Lamb, and they had a son Benja- min, who married Sarah Sherman, a sister of Roger Sherman's father. Of the latter marriage was born in 1:20 Colonel Benjamin Hinman. who served with great distinction in the French and Indian and Re- volutionary wars, and after its sur- render to Ethan Allen, he was com- mander of the garrison at Fort Ticonderoga. He became a sur- veyor, and was a member of the general assembly of Connecticut for twenty-seven sessions.
Hle married Molly Stiles, a rela- tive of President Stiles, and their children were: Aaron. Sherman. and Colonel Joel Hinman, the last named of whom was father of ex-Chief Justice Joel Hinman, of the supreme court of Connecticut. There were thirteen commissioned officers by the name of Hinman in he Revolutionary army.
Aaron, son of Colonel Benjamin Hinman, was one of the original proprietors of Derby, Vermont.
He married Ruth Hinman, daughter of Captain Timothy Hin- man. Of their children, Benja- min. Mrs. Grout's grandfather, was born in Southbury. August 12. 1723, and died in Derby, Vermont, November 26, 1856. He was an early teacher in Connecticut. and was prominent in settling the town of Derby, Vermont, of which he was a resident for many years, lo- cating there in 1816, after his marriage with Lydia Dean, follow- ing a romantic courtship. Ile ยท built the first sawmill in Derby, and became a large land owner, and the foremost man in building up the town. He established saw
and grist-mills, was interested in a woolen mill and tannery, aided in building the churches, academy, and public edifices, and stood so well for ability and integrity that he was called upon to settle numer- ous estates, and to occupy many public offices. He was selectman for fifteen years, town clerk, mag- istrate, and represented his town in the legislature five sessions. polities he was a Federalist, then a Whig, and he became a Republican when that party was organized, and he cast his last vote for its first presidential candidate, John C. Fremont.
His son Aaron married Nancy, daughter of Major Rufus Stewart, who came from Brattleboro, Ver- mont, and was an early settler in Derby, where he became wealthy and influential. He was promi- ment in town and county affairs, and commanded according to his rank at the battle of Plattsburg.
Horace Stewart, a son of Major Stewart, became a wealthy resident of Beebe Plain; and Maria, a daughter, became the wife of Judge Jacob Bates of Orleans county and their sons, Edwin and Charles K. Bates, became wealthy merchants in New York city, and their estates own the celebrated Highland stock farms at Derby. Mrs. Charles K. Bates and Mrs. Josiah Grout are sisters.
Aaron Hlinman of Derby, Ver- mont, eldest son of Benjamin, was in early life a school teacher, a eivil engineer, and a public-spirited. influential citizen of the town. He was a colonel of the state militia, took a leading part in public af- fairs, was prominent in politics, a representative in the general as-
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sembly, and at the time of his death in 1854, at the age of forty- five, was sheriff-elect of Orleans county.
The children of Aaron and Nan- cy (Stewart) Hinman were: Jane E., who married L. H. Bisbee, a
NELSON, ASA BURTON, was born in Derby, April 22, 1827. He was the son of Captain William and Lu- cina (Ball) Nelson, and was named for the Rev. Dr. Asa Burton of Thetford, his mother's uncle, who was regarded by her as a second
1
ASA B. NELSON.
prominent lawyer of Chicago, for twenty-five years previous to his death in 1897: Harriet (Mrs. Grout): Mary (Mrs. Charles K. Bates), and Colonel Benjamin Hinman, who resides in Newport, Vermont.
father. Mr. Nelson's paternal an- cestors, originally from Massachu- setts, bore continuously from au early date the name of William, with the single exception of his grandfather. Captain Thomas Nel- son, a soldier of the Revolution.
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All along this line has been charac- terized by the strong determination and indomitable energy, superior to any reverse, that has been charac- teristic of Mr. Nelson's own career.
Mr. Nelson's education was lim- ited to that of the common schools of his native town. When hardly more than a boy he began driving the eight-horse teams of the freight line that was then maintained be- tween Derby and Boston in the ad- vance of the building of the rail- road. In some form of this busi- ness he remained for fifteen years, shortening his trips, with the ad- vancing of the railroad, to its ter- minal, and changing, with its com- pletion, from freight to express and staging, and for a time keeping the hotel in Derby Line in connection with his business. From those early days Mr. Nelson has been contin- uously, until the present year, the agent of the American Express com- pany for Derby Line for nearly fifty years, holding the record for length of service for the state of Vermont.
From 1857 to 1870 Mr. Nelson was proprietor of a general store at Derby Line and a dealer in general produce, and during these years he made a very wide acquaintance in the surrounding country. From 1871 to 1884 he was engaged in the factory manufacture of, and whole- sale trade in, boots and shoes. In 1807 he became connected with the business in which he is still engaged, having purchased in that year a fac- tory for the manufacture of spruce butter tubs at Montgomery Center, Vermont, and organizing the firm now known as Nelson, Hall & Co. From small beginnings at that time the business has been developed, in
spite of two very disastrous fires and other difficulties, into what is now one of the largest, if not the very largest, manufactory of spruce wood butter packages in the United States, turning out in the course of the year in the neighborhood of a million and a half of these, and de- veloping the side industries which characterize the modern manufac- tory.
MIr. Nelson has had his share of the offices, which indicates the con- fidence and regard of the com- munity. Republican in polities, he represented the town of Derby in the legislature during the years 1876-'17, and Orleans county in the senate of the state in 1900-'01. He has been one of the trustees of the Methodist church of Stanstead Plain for more than twenty-five years, and a trustee of Stanstead Wesleyan college for the same length of time. For some time past he has been also a director of the National Bank of Derby Line
On July 2, 1844, Mr. Nelson was married to Miriam Augusta Good- win, and on the anniversary in 1897 a wide circle of relatives and friends assisted in the celebration of their golden wedding. Of this marriage three children were born: Mary Francis, George Edgar, and Charles Eugene. The first, born August 23. 1850, died in infancy. George E .. horn June 8, 1852, died October 17. 182, leaving a daughter and a son, Lieutenant George E. Nelson of the Third United States cavalry. Charles E., born February 24, 1860, was for some years deputy collector of customs at Derby Line, and is now a partner in the business at Montgomery. He has three children.
B-15
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ROBBINS, WILLIAM S., son of Alvin and Laura (Merrill) Robbins, was born at Derby, December 5, 1850.
Isaac Robbins came to Derby with his three-years-old son Alvin, from Campton, New Hampshire, in 1812.
Alvin was a successful farmer, and died in Derby in 1875. Laura, the mother, lived until 1890. There were but two children, Emma T. (now the widow of Alex. T. Dailey),
WILLIAM S. ROBBINS.
living at Derby, and the subject of this sketch.
William S. Robbins attended the public schools and Derby academy, taught school, clerked in a general store, and in 1871 began trade for himself and continued until 1875, when he closed out and engaged in farming and lumber manufactur- ing, continuing in these lines for more than twenty years success- fully, winning an enviable place
among the substantial citizens of northern Vermont.
He has been town clerk since 1878, has served as justice of the peace and lister for many years, and in 1890 represented Derby in the general assembly. For fifteen years he has been a trustee of Derby academy, and for the past ten years its treasurer. He is en- gaged in fire insurance business, and as exeentor or administrator, has settled many of the more im- portant estates in this vicinity.
In 1871 Mr. Robbins was united in marriage to Clara E., daughter of Person True of Derby, and five chil- dren have blessed their happy union: L. Gertrude, who married Frank I. Marvin of St. Albans; Per- son A., in the customs service at Newport: Harry T., teller in the National bank of Newport; Grace T., who married Harry H. Wilder of Derby; and Carl W., now a stu- dent in Derby academy.
ALLBEE, DEACON ANDREW J., the subject of this sketch, is a worthy man, who is held in high es- teem by the community of his resi- dence.
Of English ancestry, he was born in the town of Rockingham, Wind- ham county, April 25, 1832. With his parents, John and Betsey (Reed) Allbee, in 1834 he came to the town of Derby, where he has since lived. One of nine children and a farmer's boy, he received in youth those ad- vantages incident to farm life. He was educated in the common schools and at Glover academy. At the age of seventeen he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, which has since been his avocation. For several years he was contractor and
NEWPORT,
ANDREW J. ALLBEE.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
builder; and for many years he has had, at Derby Center, a shop for general mill work, and has con- ducted a large, successful business according to the standards of live and let live. He was, for quite a period, during and following the Civil war, collector of taxes for the town, constable, and deputy sheriff. He is now and has been for several years a justice of the peace and grand juror for the town, which of- fices he has filled with fidelity and ability. He was first lieutenant of the militia company raised in Derby for the protection of the frontier at the time of the St. Al- bans raid. He was town liquor agent once for a short time and ad- ministered the office so faithfully according to law, that it was soon closed for want of business, and the town was without an agency for several years following. In 1856 he united in marriage with Mary Gilman, a native of Chelsea, Orange county, a very es- timable woman, and they have by this union, three children: Elmer E. of New York, Ernest A. of Springfield, Massachusetts, and Bessie A., wife of John Aiken, of Newport.
In May, 1857, Mr. and Mrs. Allbee joined the Congregational church of Derby, of which. in 18:1, he was chosen deacon. and of which they have continued to be and are now consistent, helpful members.
Deacon Allbee has always been with the temperance cause, and a ready worker in its interest. He was for several years superin- tendent of the Sabbath school of the church, in which field of usefulness he rendered a very interesting ser- vice. He was for four years corres-
ponding secretary of the Orleans County Sabbath School association.
Deacon Allbee is most worthy as a citizen, always patriotically re- sponding to all proper require- ments upon both his time and energy. He is an obliging neigh- bor, a devoted husband, a kind father, and, in short, a much to be desired member of society. The more we have of such men the better.
BUGBEE, DR. ABEL Goss, of Derby Line, Vermont, was born January 24, 1824, at Lower Water- ford. He was fortunate in his pa- rentage. His father was Dr. Ralph Bugbee, son of Amos Bugbee, a de- scendant from Edward Bngby, who came from Ipswich, England, in the ship Francis, early in April, 1634, and settled in Roxbury, Massachu- setts. His mother was Irene Goss. From his parents Dr. Bugbee in- herited an exceptionally strong con- stitution, mental ability of a high order, and traits of character which have had much to do in enabling him to accomplish the achievements of an active and useful career. Heredity and early environment. conspired with natural taste and aptitude to lead Abel G. Bugbee to enter the medical profession. His father was a physician of no mean repute; his five brothers, with the exception of one who died in in- fancy, prosecuted the healing art. and his only sister married Enoch Blanchard, B. A., M. D., a physician and surgeon. His education and training for his great life-work was broad and thorough and based upon a good foundation gained in the elementary and high schools of Lower Waterford, and in the acad- emies of St. Johnsbury and Peach-
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
am. He commenced the study of medicine with his father in 1845 at Lower Waterford, and in 1847 con- tinned it with Professor Josephus Perkins of Castleton, where he de- voted his time to practical office work, and to two full courses of lee- tures in the Castleton Medical col- lege, from which he graduated
ABEL G. BUGBEE, M. D.
M. D. November 22, 1848. Some idea of Dr. Bugbee's
determination to acquire the best possible equipment for his work, and to keep abreast of the times, may be gathered from a mere mention of the studies he pursued subsequent to graduation from Cas- tleton. In 1850 he entered the C'ol-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons in New York for a full course of lec- tures, attending at the same time the Old City hospital. Blackwell's Island hospital, and the Ear and Eye infirmary. In 1868 he took a second course of lectures at the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, again attending Belle- vue hospital and Blackwell's Island hospital for clinics. Availing him- self of these special advantages from time to time and ever devot- ing himself to private study and in- vestigation, he has acquired a repu- tation as an authority in his profes- sion which has been gracefully rec- ognized by various medical socie- ties, as well as by the community in which he has practised. He is a member of the Vermont State Med- ical society. Orleans County Medi- cal society, of which he was presi- dent three years, and is now one of the censors of the White Mountain Medical society.
With the exception of about two vears at Wells River, Vermont, at the opening of his career. Dr. Bug- bee's professional life has been spent at Derby Line, Vermont, at which place he settled in 1851. His practice has extended widely through Orleans county, Vermont. and Stanstead county, Quebec, and has won for him an enviable reputa- tion. As a physician, his ability. knowledge, and painstaking persist- ence have enabled him to save many a life and relieve many a sufferer. As a surgeon, he has displayed ex- ceptional skill, having repeatedly performed difficult operations with a delicacy of touch and steadiness of nerve which have been the ad- miration of all.
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On May 10, 1814, he united with the Wesleyan Methodist church of Canada, in 1815 was made a steward in the same and has continued such ever since. During this time he held the office of recording steward for eight years. In 1818 he was ap- pointed a trustee of the church. During all these years Dr. Bugbee has been loyal to the church of his choice and devoted to all of her in- terests. On more than one occasion he has shown his practical sympa- thy by generously supporting com- mendable church enterprises. The "Bughee library," established in connection with the Sunday-school of this church and endowed by him, will ever be a source of pleasure and profit to the members of the congre- gation and a lasting testimony to his desire to bring the best litera- ture within the reach of all and especially of the young people of the church.
In 1880 he was elected a trustee of Stanstead Wesleyan college and appointed a member of the execu- tive committee. These offices he has held ever since, and in connec- tion with them has repeatedly shown his devotion to the interests of the superior education of the youth of the community in which the greater part of his professional life has been passed. The greatest benefit he has provided for the pres- ent and future generations of vonng people is represented in the Bugbee Commercial college. In 1894 he handed over to the trustees of Stan- stead college a fine residence and the sum of $4,000, with which to place it upon the college campus and fit it up for the purpose of a
commercial school. This institution has already brought the facilities for obtaining a good business educa- tion within the reach of many young men and women, and cannot fail to prove a lasting blessing to the coun- try at large, as well as to the class of individuals specially concerned. Its continued efficiency has been still further assured by the estab- lishment, through the doctor's bounty, of an endowment fund.
On September ?, 1852, Dr. Bug- bee married Miss Mindwell Ann C'arter, who died September 1, 1870. On October 17, 1877, he married Miss Nancy Read, whose name is associated with his in all public ben- efactions and who is ever actively concerned with him in all laudable undertakings. His two children by the second marriage are deceased, but the fountain of parental affec- tion in the hearts of this devoted couple, instead of being dried up by this bereavement sends out peren- nial streams of blessings upon the children who linger in other homes. The Bugbee Sunday-school library and the Bughee Commercial college incidentally and almost uncon- sciously perpetuate sweet and ten- der memories, while specially mark- ing the large-hearted interest in young humanity which has so high a place in the minds of the liberal donors.
In a home made comfortable and luxurious by the fruits of a long and lucrative practice joined with thrift and enterprise, and happy in the companionship and sympathy of his devoted wife, Dr. Bugbee is spend- ing the quiet evening of life which has been strenuons in its intelligent effort to heal and save.
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
SPALDING, LEVI. was born at Sharon, Vermont, in 1805, a son of Reuben Spalding, a soldier of the Revolution from Massachusetts. Reuben located at Sharon and mar-
LEVI SPALDING.
ried Jerusha Carpenter, whose pa- rents came from C'onnecticut as one of the first settlers of the town. Here Levi was born and remained at home until twelve years old when he went to live in the family of his brother, John Spalding of Montpe- lier. When about sixteen years old he went into the store of Langdon & Spalding of Montpelier as clerk, and finally became a partner in the business. In 1833 he sold out his interest in the business and came to Rock Island, Stanstead, Province of Quebee, and formed a copartnership with Stephen Foster of that place. They continued the business for several years and were quite sue- cessful. In 1843 Mr. Foster retired
from the business and Mr. Spalding continued until 1859, when he sold to his son William.
Mr. Spalding was one of the early presidents of the Derby Line Na- tional bank, and did much in the dark days of the Rebellion in 1861- '65 to retain the confidence of the patrons of the bank from the neigh- boring villages in Canada who had done business there from its com- mencement.
Mr. Spakling was married to Julia Cadwell of Montpelier in 1833, and had eight children: Will- iam, Julia, Sarah, Lyman, Cornelia. Gertrude, Clara A., widow of Major Charles O. Brigham. Mr. Spalding died June 3. 1821.
WILLIAM SPALDING.
SPALDING, WILLIAM, was born at Rock Island, Stanstead, Province of Quebec, July 27, 1834. His boy- hood was spent there until 1845. when his father moved to the vil-
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
lage of Derby Line. He attended the public school in the vicinity of Derby Line and took the scientific course at the military academy of Norwich, Vermont, in 1854. He then went into his father's store as clerk, and finally succeeded his father in the general store business. In 1868 he sold out the business to his brother, Lyman, and went to Boston, Massachusetts, and en- gaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes with parties under the firm name of Harvey, Spalding & Co. He remained in this business until 1824, when he sold out his business and returned to Derby Line, and engaged in the general store business, which he still con- tinues. He was married, in 1873, to Emma I. Brigham of Newton- ville. Massachusetts.
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