USA > Vermont > Franklin County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 11
USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 11
USA > Vermont > Lamoille County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 11
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December 25, 1878, Mr. Sherwin
PRINDLE, FRED D. Among the most progressive farmers of La- moille County we find Fred D. Prindle of Johnson, a son of Amos and Maria II. ( Wilson) Prindle. The Prindle family is among the oldest of our state, and has long
ENOS II. SHERWIN.
was united in marriage to Flora A. Hogaboom of Highgate.
Mr. Sherwin is, and has been long engaged in farming, manufac- turing lumber and makes a spe- cialty of high grade maple sugar and syrup, having a splendid ma- ple orchard of 1,400 trees.
been well and favorably known for its splendid energy and manhood.
Martin Prindle, grandfather of the subject of this sketch was among the early settlers of Fair- field and is remembered as a man of splendid character and sound worth. Amos, his son, settled at
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Fairfax, and it was here that Fred D. was born, November 21, 1863. He was educated in the public schools of St. Albans and at the State Normal School at Johnson.
In 1883 Mr. Prindle married Adelia Chase of Jay and located in Johnson. Four children have been the fruit of this union : Ralph W., Wilmer C., Ray W. and Helen E.
Mr. Prindle has never sought or accepted public office, but has rather directed his energies along the line of home-building, with the result that he has a model farm of 400 acres, cutting 125 tons of hay and keeping 90 head of stock. Two thousand sugar trees annually yield a large amount of maple products. Here one may find in- dustry, energy and intelligence so blended as to produce a high order of successful citizenship. Mr. Prindle has for a number of years been an extensive dealer in cattle, both buying and selling, making a specialty of new milch cows. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity.
STOWE.
Population, Census of 1900, 1,926.
A graphic writer describes the original appearance of the town as that of an unbroken, heavily wooded forest, somewhat hilly, in- terspersed with rich, level tracts of land of alluvial formation. The surrounding hills, though some- what rough and stony, were sus- ceptible of cultivation and en- hanced the scenic beauty of the town.
The town was originally char- tered in June, 1763, by Governor Benning Wentworth, to 64 propri-
etors and contained 23,041 acres. In 1848 the Legislature passed an act annexing the town of Mansfield to the town of Stowe, provided that both towns should satisfy the provisions of the act, which they accordingly did. Ivory Luce, an early and prominent citizen of Mansfield, determined to test the constitutionality of the act, was elected representative from Mans- field and claimed his seat. The decision of the Assembly, and later of the courts reaffirmed the legal- ity of the annexation. A portion of the territory of Sterling was conditionally annexed to Stowe by the Legislature of 1855, the act was adopted with these additions. The town records afford no facts of especial interest.
The first settlement was com- menced by Oliver Luce in 1794. The first log house was built by him about one mile from the Center village. Captain Clement Moody moved in with his family the next day and soon after Mr. Kimball and Joel Harris arrived, and the following year, Noah Scribner. Mr. Luce and his wife, Susannah, were the parents of Harry Luce, the first child born in town. Mr. Luce was the first to open a house of entertainment to the public, his sign being a large white ball. At the first town meeting, held at the house of Lowdon Case, the follow- ing officers were elected: Lowdon Case, moderator; Josiah Hurlburt, town clerk; Clement Moody, treas- urer ; Joel Harris, Ebenezer Wake- field, selectmen : Lowdon Case, first constable ; Clement Moody, Joel Harris, Ebenezer Wakefield, list- ers. The town was first repre- sented in the Legislature by Na- than Robinson, in 1801, and for 13
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successive years afterwards. Na- than Robinson was one of the nota- bles of the town; he built and for many years kept the leading hotel. It was built of logs, 20x40 feet, one story, floor made of split logs. There were two rooms, one a kitchen with one bed in it, the
and guests and whiled away the winter evenings with joke and song and story.
In 1798 there were about twenty families in town, and five years later, ninety resident families. The first settlement was made upon a handsome tract of land a mile or
SUMMIT OF MT. MANSFIELD.
other "the square room," was sup- plied with three beds. In the loft, reached by a ladder, were three beds, where one might trace the constellations at leisure. The house was warmed by an immense stone fireplace, radiating warmth, and at night a brilliant light, around which gathered the family
more north of Stowe village. Here also was the first hotel and the first stores. Two potasheries and one tannery were here established. The first school was taught here by Thomas B. Downes, in his dwelling house. It was the intention of the settlers to locate the village here, but water power was lacking and
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the business gradually centered at the water courses. Josiah Hurl- burt started the nucleus of the Lower Village by erecting a saw and gristmill there on the Water- bury River in 1796. About the year 1806 Ira and Elisha Cody engaged in the tannery business here. Daniel Fiske soon after lo- cated a carding machine and cloth- ier's works; P. G. Camp and Abial Stiles opened a dry goods store here about 1812, and three years later Calvin Sartel built the hotel. In the year 1811 Samuel Dutton built a tavern at the Center, near the site of Green Mountain Inn. In 1814 there were only four small dwellings in what is now Stowe vil- lage, but occupying the central lo- cation, the little hamlet outgrew its rivals and in 1837 the town clerk's office came here, and four years later the post office followed.
The military record of Stowe was not settled until after the Revolu- tion, but the following Revolution- ary soldiers resided here and re- ceived pensions: Moses Thomp- son, Paul Sanborn, Daniel Fuller, James Town, Elisha Tawn, Will- iam Pettingill, Asa Kimball, Jo- seph Bennett and Adam Alden.
THOMAS, HENRY G., commis- sioner of fisheries and game, came of honored Revolutionary ances- try in both paternal lines.
His paternal great-grandfather, Andrew Thomas, was a brother of David Thomas, who was among the Mohawks of the Boston Tea Party fame in Revolutionary days. About 1810 Andrew removed from Mid- dlebury, Massachusetts, to Wood- stock, where he passed the remain- der of his life. Lemuel (2), son of Andrew Thomas, was born in Middlebury, Massachusetts. He removed from Woodstock to Stowe
about 1815, where he built a woolen mill and sawmill, which he operated for many years. He was a leading business man of his day and filled many town offices. He was a Whig in politics. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Rhoda Mendell of Bridgewa- ter, who bore him children : Jones, Weston L., Rhoda, who married Je- rome B. Slayton, both of whom are deceased, and Henry, who died, aged 21 years. Lemuel Thomas married for his second wife, Betsey Butler, a daughter of former Gov- ernor Ezra Butler. Of this mar- riage was born a son, Abijah, who married and became the father of five children.
Isaac Jones (3), eldest child of Lemuel Thomas, was born, June 5, 1815, in Woodstock. He received a common school education. For several years after the death of his mother he lived with his grand- father, Andrew Thomas, in Wood- stock. When seven years of age he went to his father's home in Stowe. He was originally a Whig, and became a Republican at the organization of that party. He married Julia Ann Harris, daugh- ter of Captain Joel Harris, Jr., son of Joel Harris, Sr., who moved to Stowe April 17, 1794, the second family that settled in the town. He was a minister of the Gospel and the first that ever preached a sermon in Stowe.
To Isaac Jones Thomas and Julia Ann Harris, his wife, were born : Milton, who was accidentally drowned when two and one-half years old; Henry George, who ap- pears later in this narrative, and Julia Ann. The latter married Henry B. Oakes, now deceased, who was a merchant and farmer at Stowe. Jones Thomas died, March
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3, 1904, aged 89. Ilis wife died in 1885, aged 66 years.
Henry George Thomas (4), sec- ond child and only surviving son of Jones and Julia Ann ( Harris)
breaking out of the Civil War. On the 1st day of June, 1861, at the age of 17, he was enrolled as a drummer boy, to serve for three years, or during the war; was
HENRY G. THOMAS.
Thomas, was born in Stowe, March 6, 1844. He was reared on the pa- ternal farm and received his edu- cation in the common and high schools, up to the time of the
sworn into the United States ser- vice on the 16th day of July, 1861, in Company E, Third Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry. He performed other duties than drum-
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mer, and shared in all the hard- ships of his regiment and partici- pated in all the campaigns of his regiment in whatever capacity he was detailed. He was honorably discharged with his regiment, at Burlington, on the 27th day of July, 1864, therefore serving three years and two months. After at- tending the high school in the fall of 1864, he entered the employ of Asa R. Camp, the leading general merchant in his native town. In 1868 he took Greeley's advice,
joined H. H. Smith Post, No. 19, of Stowe, and is commander of this post at the present time. He was also commander in 1901, 1902 and 1903, refusing to serve longer.
In 1900 Mr. Thomas organized the Stowe Soldiers' Memorial As- sociation for the purpose of raising funds to build a soldiers' monu- ment. Was elected its president, and still holds this office. Through the efforts of this organization about $1,000 was raised. In 1901 Mr. Healey C. Akeley, a wealthy
SOLDIERS MEMORIAL BUILDING.STOWEVT. "PRESENTED BY H.CAKELEY-
ONTHELI
SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL BUILDING.
living in the West more than twenty years; most of the time be- ing in the mercantile business ; also identified with other business inter- ests-Dakota lands and Minneapo- lis real estate.
Mr. Thomas has been a member of Mystic Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 56 for 34 years; a member of Ark Chapter, Minneapolis. When liv- ing in Minneapolis, was a mem- ber of Morgan Post, G. A. R., one of the largest in the United States, but when he returned to his native home he took his dis- charge from Morgan Post and
lumberman of Minneapolis, a na- tive of Stowe, who served as lieu- tenant in the Second Michigan Cavalry, was visiting Mr. Thomas. When the subject of building a soldiers' monument came up, Mr. Akeley was much interested, and suggested that a building of some kind would be a most appropriate and fitting memorial to the soldiers of the Civil War, and a benefit to the living, and authorized Mr. Thomas to carry out his suggestion, which should be a free gift. Mr. Thomas made all contracts, pur- chased the site and superintended
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
the construction of the building. On May 30, 1902, Mr. Thomas had the honor of laying the corner- stone in the presence of a large con- course of people. A bronze tab- let is placed in the main corridor of the building, with the following inscription :
"In recognition of the munifi- cent gift of this building by Healey C. Akeley, and in appreciation of the efforts of Henry G. Thomas in its accomplishment, this tablet is placed in commemoration by the citizens of Stowe."
In carrying out the object of building a soldiers' monument, as proposed in the beginning, it seemed commendable to increase and add to the funds already raised for this purpose, which was done, and instead of building a marble or granite shaft (the usual custom), marble tablets, with the names of 246 soldiers inscribed on the same, who served in the Civil War and entitled to recognition, all being either natives of Stowe or credited to her quota, were placed in Memorial Hall through the efforts of Mr. Thomas. The building is old Colonial style of architecture throughout, with solid red brick walls and light Barre granite trimmings. It is 88 feet front on the main business street, and 48 feet in depth, with two sto- ries and basement.
Through the courtesy of Senator Redfield Proctor, two three-inch cannon, Rodman pattern, were presented to the building, and are mounted on the lawn at each side of the porch. These cannon saw service in the Civil War. A large granite tablet over the main en- trance has a wreath design, hang- ing in the folds. Above the folds are inscribed the words : "Soldiers'
Memorial. Presented by H. C. Akeley."
January 12, 1868, Mr. Thomas married Alice G. Raymond, daugh- ter of the Hon. Asa Raymond and sister to Captain Albert Raymond, who served conspicuously in both the Thirteenth and Seventeenth Vermont regiments in the Civil War. Three children have been born of their marriage, one dying in infancy ; two daughters now liv- ing: Mrs. J. S. Whitcomb of Fargo, North Dakota, the second daughter, Mrs. William P. Cooper of Salt Lake City.
AKELEY, HON. HEALEY C., whose name will be held in honor in Stowe through the coming gen- erations for his splendid liberality in the founding of the Soldiers' Memorial Building, is a native of the village named, born March 16, 1836. His father, George Akeley, an industrious farmer and honor- able man, died when the son was only nine years old, and the youth was thus early thrown on his own resources. Taking up a man's burden, he aided to earn a liveli- hood for the family by his labors on the farm, and also worked his way through the public school and an academy at Barre. He then spent two summers with a survey- ing corps, and also read law. He completed his professional studies in the Poughkeepsie, New York, Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1857, the year of his at- taining his majority.
In 1858 Mr. Akeley went to Michigan and engaged in the prac- tice of law in Grand Haven. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he sought to enter the army, but was rejected on account of an asth- matic affection, but later, in Octo- ber, 1863, he was accepted and
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mustered into the service in the Second Regiment, Michigan Cav- alry, with which he served with fidelity and gallantry until the close of the war.
Returning to Grand Haven, Mr. Akeley resumed the practice of his profession and became prominently identified with public affairs. The year after his coming he was ap- pointed collector of customs for the district of Michigan by President Grant, by whom he was reap- pointed, and also by President Hayes, his official term being thus extended to the long term of 15 years. Mr. Akeley was also twice elected to the mayoralty of the city.
In 1871 Mr. Akeley entered upon that larger career which event- ually made him a dominating fig- ure in the vast lumber interests of the central North. A natural out- growth of previous operations, was the organization of the H. C. Akeley Lumber Company of Min- neapolis, with Mr. Akeley at its head, and their mill came to be known as the "fastest" in the world, its output during the seven months' sawing season each year being the enormous quantity of 110,000,000 feet. This was the first mill in which the double cutting band was introduced. Mr. Akeley was the executive head of this great company, as well as of the Itasca Lumber Company, with its annual output of 75,000,000 feet. Feb- ruary 1, 1903, Mr. Akeley retired from his active lumber operations in order to properly oversee his other large interests. In all his large concerns, Mr. Akeley has shown all the resourcefulness and ability of a master mind, and he has conducted all his extensive op- erations with singular ease and
skill, and is, withal, mild-man- nered and modest.
Amid all the exactions of his ex- tremely active business career, he never allowed his affection for his native village to grow cold. The munificent gift of Mr. Akeley has forever endeared him to the people of Stowe, and his name will be honored by its people so long as the splendid edifice which was his gift, shall endure.
The philanthropy of Mr. Akeley has moved him to various other good works, and he is known as a liberal and frequent contributor to charitable organizations. One of his largest gifts, aside from that to his native village of Stowe, was his former residence in Grand Haven, Michigan, which he made the home of the Blanche Hall Akeley Insti- tute for Girls, vesting the title and management in the Protestant Episcopal Church. This institu- tion has performed a highly use- ful work, and has steadily grown in favor with the parents who wish their daughters to be trained for the practical duties of life. Among other generous benefactions made by Mr. Akeley was $20,000 to the Salvation Army in Minneapolis.
Mr. Akeley was married, in 1869, to Miss Hattie E. Smith of Grand Haven, Michigan. Two children were born to them, of whom Flor- ence H. Akeley is living. The name of the one deceased is perpet- uated in the Blanche Hall Akeley Institute for Girls.
PIKE, HON. PAPHIRO D., a son of William and Nancy (Hitel- cock) Pike, was born, December 1, 1835, in Morristown. He is a great-grandson of Jonathan Pike, whose son, Seth, was a native of Windham, Connecticut, but who came to Brookfield, later removing
PAPIRO D. PIKE.
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to Sterling and finally settled in Morristown. He married Mary Flint and 10 children were born to them.
William Pike, son of Seth and Mary (Flint) Pike, was born Feb- ruary 20, 1799, at Brookfield. He married Nancy Hitchcock of West- field, a daughter of Caleb and Nancy (Eaton) Hitchcock. To Mr. and Mrs. Pike four children were born: Lucy, Paphro D., Lydia E. and Emily. Mr. Pike died in January, 1874, at the age of 75 years. Mrs. Pike died Octo- ber 31, 1884, at the age of 76 years.
Hon. Paphro D. Pike was edu- cated in the district schools and at Johnson Academy; for a time he taught school in Stowe. Being possessed of a natural taste for things mechanical, he began work in mills before becoming of age, and soon became the owner of a considerable sawmill, which he abandoned soon after the outbreak of the Civil War. August 9, 1862, he enlisted, at Stowe, in Company D, Eleventh Regiment, Vermont Infantry. The regiment was sent to Washington for the defense of the capitol, during which time it was made a heavy artillery regi- ment. Mr. Pike remained with the regiment during its entire service, with the exception of two months he spent in the hospital. He was honorably discharged, July, 1865.
After his return from the war he was variously engaged as car- penter and millwright until 1871, when he commenced the manufac- ture of butter tubs.
In 1885 he sold out and located in Brooklyn, New York, where he was employed in the Hatters Fur Cutting Company. In 1899 he re- turned to Stowe, purchased the old mill and resumed the manufacture
of butter tubs, round boxes and veneer packages. Gradually this business has given way to the man- ufacture of hard and soft wood lumber. In 1890 Mr. Pike and his sons, Lewis A. and Arba A., formed a partnership under the firm name of P. D. Pike & Sons. The firm is doing a very extensive business, giving employment to 25 men the year round and handling nearly one and one-half million feet of lumber.
Politically, Mr. Pike is a sturdy Republican, and although the de- mand of his time is great, he has found little time for public office. His townsmen have testified to their confidence in him by electing him to the Legislature in 1880, when he served on the committee on manufactures. In 1900 he was chosen state senator for Lamoille County, and here he served on the committees on temperance, military affairs and general and manufac- tures.
In 1865, Mr. Pike was united in marriage to Abigail, daughter of Luke J. and Eunice (Camp) Towne. Three sons have been born to them: Arba A., Lewis A. and Fred M.
PIKE, ARBA A., was born in Stowe, November 14, 1861. He re- ceived his education in the dis- trict and graded schools, and at 21 years of age entered the employ of his father, remaining two years; at the end of this period he entered the firm and for the next two years had charge of the business. He then bought a grocery and general store, which for two years he con- ducted alone; then taking in B. E. Wallace of Waterbury, conducted the business under the firm namne of Pike & Wallace. Two years later Mr. Pike's father and brother
ARBA A. PIKE.
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LAMOILLE COUNTY.
bought in, and the present mill property was purchased and the entire business was conducted un- der the firm name of P. D. Pike & Sons; later, the store was sold to Oakes & Benson; then Mr. Pike bought out the Oakes interest and came back into the store under the firm name of Pike & Benson. The lumber industry has continued to the present time, with an annual increase in the amount of business done. The firm own a large tract of timber land in Waterbury, and operate a steam mill at Waterbury Center, in which branch of the busi- ness Mr. Pike's son, Harry E., has an interest.
June 13, 1883, Mr. Pike married Carrie L., a daughter of Erastus and Mary Edgerton of Stowe. One child was born to them: Harry E., born June 27, 1884. Mrs. Pike died, September 30, 1889. No- vember 10, 1891, Mr. Pike married for his second wife Anna B., a daughter of G. Munroe and Ida E. Culver of Stowe. To them three children have been born: Marion, September 3, 1893; Muriel, born May 29, 1898, and Beatrice, born February 20, 1902.
Mr. Pike is vice-president and treasurer of the Stowe Lumber Company, manufacturers of hard and soft wood lumber, with mills at Elmore; was for five years a leading factor in the Citizens' Tel- ephone Company, which was sold to the New England Telephone Company a year ago. He is a trustee of the Lamoille County Savings Bank and Trust Company and has served his town as select- man, auditor, school director and in 1896 represented Stowe in the General Assembly of Vermont.
WILKINS, HON. GEORGE, the nestor of the Lamoille County bar,
who lived to the venerable age of 85 years, was, during a long and active career, the most striking figure of his day, and his death has removed the last of an old and wonderful race of men, who moulded the destinies of the com- monwealth during a most im- portant epoch. He was born in Stowe, December 6, 1817, son of Uriah and Nancy (Kittridge) Wil- kins. In 1841 he was admited to the bar at the age of 24 years. He was unusually able as a trial law- yer and an earnest and resolute advocate. Many of his cases in- volved large values and intricate questions of law and he was noted for his success in gaining his points. His counsel was much sought by the people about him and his advice and aid were freely given. When upwards of eighty, he bore himself erectly, with firm and elastic step. His manners were courtly and dignified and he was in all things the personification of the real gentleman of the old school. He maintained to the last his splendid mental powers, his soundness of judgment, his inti- mate knowledge of affairs and deep-seated loyalty to the commu- nity.
Many of the foremost men in the state paid high tribute to Mr. Wilkins' excellences and useful- ness. Only a few days before his death his counsel was sought with reference to an important measure then pending in Congress. Sena- tor Dillingham said of him soon after his decease: "Mr. Wilkins was a man of marked ability, strong individuality and pro- nounced traits of character;" and Senator Redfield Proctor, in a let- ter written with reference to this sketch of Mr. Wilkins' life, said :
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"The people of Vermont uni- versally felt, I am sure, as I did, great sorrow to learn of the death of Mr. Wilkins. Through his long life he had been a very useful man, stanch and strong and true to his political principles, and always standing up fearlessly for what he believed to be right. His standing was such as to give him not only great influence in his own county, but throughout the state, for peo- ple felt generally that George Wil- kins of Stowe, must be on the right side. Though on account of residing so far apart we did not often meet, I was glad to count him always as a steadfast friend, for loyalty to his friends and his prin- ciples was inherent in his nature. He was a natural born guide and leader, and his advice was often sought in political and party mat- ters and always respected. He had filled a prominent place in Vermont affairs for a long time, and his death was a public loss."
Mr. Wilkins was one of the founders of the Lamoille County National Bank, in which he was a director from the first. Former Governor Page, who was a brother director with Mr. Wilkins in this bank for more than a quarter of a century, gave expression to the following language in a letter written subsequent to his deatlı. It was not designed for publication, but it so well expresses some of the strong characteristics of Mr. Wilkins that we deem it worthy a place in this article. Governor Page said :
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