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 17
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 17
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 17
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
The first freeman's meeting was
207
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
held September 6, 1796. Votes were cast at this meeting for Thomas Chittenden for governor. Jonas Brigham was elected town representative to the General As- sembly to be held at Rutland.
During the time the embargo law was in force there was considerable feeling against the law and the way it was enforced by Captain Samuel Cochran, the deputy col- lector. A resolution was reported by a committee, and adopted by vote of the town, denouncing his conduct.
The action of the town in regard to the War of 1812-'15, will be seen in the following copy of the record of a town meeting, held September 12, 1812. Article 2 of the warning was "to take into con- sideration the exposed situation of the town on account of the present state of war with the inhabitants of the province of Canada, and to adopt such measures for the de- fense of the town as may be thought best calculated for the purpose aforesaid." After due consideration it was voted that ev- ery person who would provide him- self with a good firearm should be furnished with one-fourth pound of powder, balls and flints propor- tionate, from the town stock, to be done by and under the direction of a Committee of Safety.
Voted to have a Committee of Safety consisting of six persons. The following persons were chosen a committee: Colonel Hazeltine, Major Parker, Captain Wilkinson, Jeremiah Pratt, Captain Billings, Uriah Brigham. At a subsequent meeting it was voted to appropri- ate $50 to purchase powder, balls and flints, to complete the town stock, agreeable to the requisition of the law of the state, and more if
thought expedient; also to direct the selectmen to procure a suitable chest, with lock and key, to contain the town stock of ammunition.
Bakersfield furnished 22 volun- teers for the War of 1812-'15, who were at the battle of Plattsburg, September 1, 1814.
The town furnished for the War of the Rebellion 145 men, three of whom were commissioned officers, viz: Merritt Williams, captain ; John S. Tupper, first lieutenant and Charles M. Start, first lieu- tenant.
Bakersfield never was much of a manufacturing town being defi- cient in water power. Making ashes for potash was one of the principal ways by which the early settlers got any money, and at an early day there were several of these potash factories. The first gristmill, built in 1794, was owned by Elisha Boyce. There was a starch factory on the opposite side of the stream, owned by Joel Houghton. These industries, to- gether with the tanneries, a fulling mill and several small sawmills, constituted the manufactures of the town. Education and agri- culture are the leading features at the present time.
The first action taken by the town regarding schools was at town meeting, November 21, 1796. It was then voted to divide the town into two districts, known as the North and South districts. The first schoolhouse was built of logs, and was located north of the vil- lage. Foster Paige taught the first school. In 1840 an academy was established under the auspices of the Methodists, of which the noted teacher, Jacob Spaulding, was principal for 12 years.
Later another academy was es-
208
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
tablished, but from 1852 to 1878, the interests of education declined. In 1877, Peter Bent Brigham, a native of this town and a resident of Boston, died, and left by will $30,000 to be invested in a perma- nent fund, known as the Brigham school fund, the income to be ex- pended for educational purposes, as the town might direct. Subse- quent donations amounting to more than ten thousand dollars, were made by other members of this family for building purposes. March 5, 1878, the town voted to establish and forever maintain one central or high school for ad- vanced pupils from this and; other towns. The building was finished the following winter, and was dedi- cated with appropriate exercises, August 13, 1879, as Brigham Acad- emy. It has always maintained a high standing among the higher institutions of learning of the state.
The Congregational church was formed July 4, 1811, with 11 mem- bers. The first settled pastor was Reverend Elderkin Boardman, in 1822. There was a Methodist class formed about 1806. Services were held in the North Academy Chapel until 1854, when the pres- ent church was erected. The Catholics purchased the old Meth- odist chapel in 1867.
THE BRIGHAM ACADEMY. The town of Bakersfield has for two thirds of a century enjoyed excep- tional educational advantages. For a time two academies, with more than three hundred students, were located here and students from distant states came to attend them.
About the time of the Civil War these declined, but in 1877 Peter Bent Brigham bequeathed $30,000
to the town to be used as an educa- tional fund. Mrs. Sarah B. Ja- cobs, a sister of Mr. Brigham, and three nieces, Mrs. Hankinson, Mrs. Kendall and Mrs. Northrup, gave more than twelve thousand dollars for the erection of a building, which was dedicated August 14, 1879. Mrs. Jacobs further aided the school by adding $100,000, making the total endowment $140,- 000 and by providing seven schol- arships at the University of Ver- mont for the sole use of the grad- uates of Brigham Academy. As provided for in the will, the advan- tages of the school are free to resi- dents of Bakersfield and the tuition so low as to make it practically a free school to everybody.
There are three buildings con- nected with the academy. The main school building contains an assembly hall, a study hall, seven recitation rooms, a library, a gym- nasium and two large laboratories equipped for chemistry and phy- sics. The Brigham House is a large three-story building, which is utilized as a hotel. The other house on the grounds is occupied by the janitor as a dwelling house. It is proposed, in the near future, to erect or purchase a principal's house.
The grounds are large, compris- ing over thirty-three acres, and are suitably arranged with trees, shrubbery and plants on the large front campus, and a six-acre cam- pus for the use of the various ath- letic teams, football, baseball, track and tennis. A quarter-mile run- ning track surrounds the main part of the field.
The business affairs of the school are controlled by a committee of three local trustees, the present board being D. E. Giddings, O. G.
209
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Start and Doctor W. B. Hyde.
The following is a complete list of all the principals of Brigham Academy, with the latest informa- tion concerning each :
Frank L. Irish, A. B., 1879-'80, deceased.
Otis S. Johnson, 1880-'85, de- ceased.
The average number of gradu- ates for the last decade has been 23, and of these over forty per cent. have either gone to college, technical school or are engaged in the professions. A larger percent- age have engaged in teaching for varying lengths of time.
Brigham Academy is in a very
-
BRIGHAM ACADEMY, BAKERSFIELD.
Frank E. Parlin, A. B., 1885- '90, superintendent of schools, Quincy, Massachusetts.
Charles H. Morrill, A. B., 1890- 1903, principal of Randolph Nor- mal School.
William S. Spencer, A. B., 1903- '04, agent for D. C. Heath & Co., Mexico.
Alvan A. Kempton, A. B., 1904-, present principal of Brigham Academy.
prosperous condition financially and completely equipped with the very best facilities for education.
KEMPTON, ALVAN A., present principal of Brigham Academy, is descended from sturdy, patriotic Vermont stock, being a descendant of Ira Allen. Still further back he is in the direct line of descent on his mother's side from John Al- den of Pilgrim fame and from Ephraim Kempton, who came over
A-15
210
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
in the "good ship John," the third ship to follow the Mayflower.
Mr. Kempton was born in New- port, New Hampshire, September 8, 1872, his parents being Elisha M. and Louisa E. (Alden) Kemp- ton. His early education was in the village schools of his native
sides taking active part in other forms of athletics. He was one of the charter members of Gamma Delta Chapter of the A. T. O. fra- ternity and represented the local chapter at its congress held in Washington, District of Columbia, in December, 1894. During his
ALVAN A. KEMPTON.
town, supplemented by a course of study at Colby Academy, New Lon- don, New Hampshire, where he graduated in 1892. He entered Brown University in the fall, took part in athletics, won a medal in the high hurdles, was a member of the fencing and single stick squad in the gymnasium exhibitions, be-
college course he specialized in German and history, taking two post-graduate courses in the former while a senior.
Mr. Kempton graduated with the A. B. degree in 1896 and since that time has devoted nearly all his time to his chosen calling, teaching. He taught four years in Massachusetts
211
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
and one in Rhode Island before coming to Vermont. He recently declined a very flattering offer to return to Warren, Rhode Island, where he was principal of the high school, the offer being the superin- tendency. His services in that place were highly appreciated, as was evidenced by the handsome gold watch which the pupils and teachers of the high school pre- sented to him at the conclusion of his principalship there.
He appears to be no less appre- ciated in his present field of labor, judging from the respect and con- fidence in which he is held by teachers, pupils and townspeople.
START, HON. HENRY R., son of Simeon Gould and Mary Sophia (Barnes) Start, was born in Ba- kersfield, December 28, 1845. His grandfather, Captain Moses Start, came to this state prior to 1800, and was a prominent figure in town affairs.
Simeon Gould Start was in early and middle life a substantial farmer of Bakersfield, but in 1865 moved into the village, where he was called to the discharge of many public duties, notably as the prin- cipal trial justice of the place for more than a quarter of a century. He represented Bakersfield in 1872, as a Republican, but was al- ways a man of independent thought and action.
The children of Simeon G. and Maria S. (Barnes) Start, were : Rolla N. of Worcester, Massachu- setts; Ozro G., assistant judge of Franklin County Court, of Bakers- field; Charles M., chief justice of Minnesota; Lorenzo B. of Worces- ter, Massachusetts; Merritt L. of Bakersfield, Henry R. and Ella S., deceased.
Henry R. Start completed his lit-
erary education in Bakersfield and Barre academies. IIe was a mem- ber of Company A, Third Vermont Regiment.
After returning from the war he chose the legal profession as his life work, read law in the office of M. B. Tyler, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1867. He imme- diately opened an office in Bakers- field, which he maintained until he was elected to the bench. He formed a partnership in law with A. P. Cross of St. Albans, the firm also having an office at the county seat, which resulted in an extensive practice. The trial of the cases largely devolved upon Mr. Start, who then developed the habit of logical analysis and sound judg- ment which he later displayed as a presiding judge.
In 1876 he was elected state's at- torney for Franklin County, and in 1880 he was elected a senator from Franklin County and served on the judiciary committee, and as chairman of the joint standing committee on the reform school. From 1880 to 1888 he was one of the trustees of the Vermont Reform School. He was one of the presi- dential electors who, in 1888, cast the vote of Vermont for Harrison and Morton. He was soon recog- nized as one of the leaders of his party in the county and state.
Elected representative from Ba- kersfield in 1890, he was chosen speaker of the House of Represen- tatives, and during the session, without opposition, was elected fifth assistant judge of the Su- preme Court. It would be super- fluous to speak in detail of the em- inent judicial services of Judge Start. It is the universal testi- mony of his contemporaries of the bench and bar, that his conduct was
212
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
impartial and considerate, and his decisions based upon correct appli- cation of the principles of law,
Court and to preside at the county courts assigned. Judge Start was so genial and kind-
HENRY R. START.
were almost, without exception, sus- tained by the full bench. During his 14 years of service he never failed to be present at the Supreme
hearted, so true and sound, and honorable in every fibre of his per- sonality, that he won the respect and the esteem and the admiration
213
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
of all of his associates in every walk of life. He had no personal enemies; all of his acquaintances were his friends.
Mr. Start married, June 10, 1869, Ellen S., daughter of Still- man S. and Sarah E. Houghton. Their children are: S. Gould, Guy H., Mabel S. and Burdette H. Start. Mrs. Start deceased July 12, 1890. The death of Judge Start occurred November 7, 1905. At the recent annual meeting of the Vermont Bar Associations in Jan- uary, 1906, most appropriate and touching tributes were offered by members of the bar to his eminent services and honorable character.
BRIGHAM, COLONEL HERBERT F., son of Josiah F. and Jane (Fay) Brigham, was born at Bakersfield, July 13, 1852.
Josiah Brigham was an exten- sive farmer and an intelligent and public spirited citizen, of life-long residence. For three terms he rep- resented his town in the state Leg- islature. His family consisted of six children: A. G. Brigham of Bakersfield, Roxana B. Hamlinson and Jane F. Kendall of Boston, Massachusetts, Mrs. Frances F. Brigham of New York City, Her- bert F. and Mary F., wife of A. O. Weeks of St. Albans.
Herbert F. Brigham spent his early years in his native town, later attended New Hampton Institute at Fairfax, and entered the law school of the University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor, from which he graduated in 1875. Soon after- wards he began the practice of law in the office of Judge Messic of San Francisco and Virginia City, Ne- vada. Two years later he returned to Bakersfield, where he has since remained in the active, conscien- tious and successful practice of his
profession. He is a special master in chancery and in this capacity has acceptably acted as referee in many important cases.
Besides his professional duties, Colonel Brigham has discharged with rare fidelity and success many important functions in the business affairs of his section. He is one of the incorporators and vice-presi- dent of the Enosburg Falls Savings Bank and Investment Company, and he is a director of the Lamoille County National Bank of Hyde Park and vice-president of the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany of Montpelier. He is the judicious and friendly counsellor in business, as well as in legal mat- ters, of many acquaintances and friends, whose implicit confidence he enjoys. His unfailing courtesy, good fellowship and helpfulness have won the cordial esteem of all, irrespective of creed or party.
In politics a zealous Democrat, he has served his town in many important capacities, as selectman, town agent and trustee of the pub- lic money, and as representative in 1882 and 1884. He has been the party's candidate for state's attor- ney, also for state senator. In 1894 he was a delegate to the national convention which nominated Gro- ver Cleveland for president, and received an appointment in the con- sular service at Stanbridge, Que- bec. In 1896 he was the Demo- cratic candidate for United States senator and in 1886 the nominee for secretary of state of Vermont. In 1890 was nominated for gover- nor of Vermont and received the hearty support of his party, greatly reducing the usual Republican ma- jority.
Governor Page emphasized his personal esteem by appointing Mr.
214
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
Brigham chief of staff. The con- fidence in his ability, integrity and good judgment has been evinced by his recent appointment by Gover- nor Bell as one of the committee of three to investigate the public institutions of the state. The key- note of Colonel Brigham's private
his first American ancestor, who came to Massachusetts prior to 1637, the date of his marriage to Mercy Hurd. Uriah Brigham, grandfather of Albert G., came to Bakersfield in 1796, and settled in the northern part of the town. He married Elizabeth Fay, and they
HERBERT F. BRIGHAM.
and public career is conscientious fidelity and rare judgment in the discharge of every responsibility.
BRIGHAM, ALBERT G., son of Josiah F. and Sylvina (Hall) Brigham, was born in Bakersfield, March 12, 1836. He is the seventh generation from Thomas Brigham,
reared a family of nine children, viz .: Mary, Elizabeth, Uriah, Rob- ert, Breck, Josiah Fay, Benjamin G., Peter Bent and Sarah.
Josiah Fay Brigham was a stal- wart farmer and extensive land- owner, a capable and energetic cit- izen and life-long resident of Ba-
215
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
kersfield. By his marriage with Miss Hall were three children : Sa- rah 'Jane, Albert G. and Roxana. Mrs. Sarah Jane Kendall and Mrs. Roxana Hankinson, and their aunt, Mrs. Sarah Brigham Jacobs, con- tributed $10,000 for the Brigham Academy building, which was en- dowed by Peter Bent Brigham.
Josiah F. Brigham married for his second wife, Jane Fay, and their three children are: Mrs. Frances G. Brigham, Colonel Her- bert F., and Mary, wife of Arthur Weeks.
Albert G. Brigham is a worthy representative of a stanch ances- try, a good type of the substantial Vermont farmer. His education was limited to the district schools. At the age of seventeen he went to Boston, but liked Vermont better, and returned two years later. In 1855 he married Marietta Hough- ton of Bakersfield, and settled on a farm. Two children were born of this marriage: Charles W. of Ashtabula, Ohio, and Fred H., of Bakersfield. In 1869 he married Celina Larabee of Berkshire. Their son, G. Fay Brigham, born in 1874, a progressive young man, is associated with his father. Jen- nie C., the daughter, born in 1876, married Hervey A. Churchill of Bakersfield. Six years ago Albert G. Brigham and his family located on his present homestead of 350 acres, one mile from the village. The farm was the long-time home of Cheney Brigham, the first male child born in town. In 1901 Mr. Brigham built his fine residence, that commands a lovely view of forest, village and farm. He has also erected a new barn and trebled the productions of the farm in a half dozen years.
The farm contains a splendid re-
source of wood and timber, includ- ing a fine forest of sugar maples.
Mr. Brigham is a Democrat in politics. He has repeatedly served the town as selectman and in other capacities, and in 1904 was the popular nominee of his party for representative.
HALL, AMBROSE L., son of Alvin and Caroline (Smith) Hall, was born in Berkshire, August 7,
ALBERT G. BRIGHAM.
1840. He comes of sturdy New England stock. His great, great- grandfather, Captain John Hall, was mortally wounded at the battle of Hubbardton, and his grand- father, Reverend Perley Hall, was a Baptist clergyman. Alvin Hall was a life-long resident and farmer of Berkshire. He was the eldest son of a family of 15 children, by three wives, and from early boy- hood bore his part in the support
216
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
of the family. His education was largely limited to winter terms at the district school. He was mar- ried in 1860 to Malvina N., daugh- ter of James and Harriett (Shat- tuck) Maynard of Bakersfield. After renting a farm a few years, they moved to Bakersfield in 1866, where they have since resided. During the past 33 years Mr. Hall has lived on his present homestead, the first farm north of the village. The farm of 150 acres is pleasantly and conveniently located, and shows evidences of thrift and good husbandry. It supports a dairy of 20 cows, also 15 young cattle and the farm team.
Mr. Hall's eldest son, Morton L., a young man of great promise, was born in 1863, fitted for college at Methodist Episcopal Seminary, Montpelier; graduated from Wes- leyan University in 1888, and three years later from the Boston Theological school, and died in January, 1893.
Harry J. Hall graduated from Brigham Academy in 1895, studied pharmacy, but his health failing, he relinquished that calling and is now a resident of Boston.
Mr. Hall has been a leading and progressive citizen in all of the pub- lic movements of the town, and is a man of strong practical judg- ment. During his 40 years' resi- dence in town, he was lister for 17 consecutive years, and has been se- lectman for even a larger number of years. When the donation for a building for Brigham Academy was under consideration, he went to Boston as a town selectman, and by his suggestion the donation was increased to $10,000, an adequate amount. He was influential in se- curing a harmonious agreement for the location and was the active
member of the building committee. His colleagues in this important work were Hon. Henry R. Start and Colonel Herbert F. Brigham.
In 1896 Mr. Hall, always a Dem- ocrat, was elected representative in the presidential year, in this strongly Republican town, by 40 majority, a most emphatic tribute of public confidence.
DOANE, HENRY MARTIN, son of Benjamin, Jr., and Precinda (Lawrence) Doane, was born on the ancestral farm in Bakersfield, December 28, 1840. He was the second child of a family of five sons and five daughters, all of whom were born on that home- stead, which has been the family home for more than a century, and is now occupied by A. L. Doane, the youngest brother of Henry.
Benjamin Doane, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to Bakersfield as one of the pio- neers, prior to 1800, and cleared that farm from the primeval wil- derness. He reared a large fam- ily and Benjamin, Jr., the youngest son, remained on the home farm his entire life, and died highly re- spected, at the age of eighty-three.
Henry M. Doane spent his mi- nority here and attended Bakers- field Academy. In 1861 he en- listed in the First Vermont Cav- alry, and after serving one year was discharged for physical disa- bility.
After regaining his health, he re- enlisted in the Seventeenth Ver- mont, the last of the state regi- ments, which lost 45 per cent. of its members killed in action during its year of service, and was dis- charged with his regiment. He married in 1864, Lucretia Kellogg, and in 1866 engaged in farming for several years in the town of
217
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Enosburg. Bereaved by the death of his wife and only daughter, he went to Boston and for a time was in trade. Later he engaged in the hotel business and dealt in real es- tate, and amassed a handsome com- petence. In 1892 ill health com- pelled a change, and he returned to
town, especially in the line of horse breeding and development, and se- lected and bought as a suckling, Harrison Wilkes (2.111/4), who was afterwards sold for $12,000 to go to Austria. He is now the owner of two very fine stallions, and his efforts have been efficient
HENRY M. DOANE.
his native town, where he has since resided.
Mr. Doane has large real estate interests in this and adjoining towns, and finds health and recre- ation in the care of a small, but productive dairy farm in this vil- lage. He has taken an active in- terest in the affairs of his native
in the improvement of horse stock. His only son, Lee, died in Boston just before his return to his native town. Mr. Doane married for his second wife, Mary Parlee. Mr. Doane was the nominee of the Dem- ocratic party for town representa- tive, but was defeated by one vote. For the past dozen years he has
218
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
been one of the trustees of the J. K. Maynard town funds, and is recognized as a citizen of keen ob- servation, trained judgment and financial ability.
W. D. HYDE, M. D., OF BAKERSFIELD.
FARNSWORTH, OREN C., son of Joseph B. and Sophia (Eaton) Farnsworth, was born in Bakers- field, March 29, 1841. His father was the second male child born in town His great-grandfather was Jonathan Farnsworth, and his ma- ternal grandfather, Jairus Eaton.
He enlisted in Company B, First Vermont Cavalry, in Au- gust, 1862, and served until the war closed, participating in many battles and engagements, and in the raids of Stoneman and of Kil- patrick around Richmond, and General Wilson's raid to North Carolina; also Sheridan's two fa- mous raids. He has the sword of a Confederate captain whom he captured.
For many years after the war,
Mr. Farnsworth was engaged in farming in Bakersfield. During the past 17 years he has resided in the village, where he keeps a hotel and boarding house, and runs a livery, and has been, and now is, a deputy sheriff. Mr. Farnsworth has traveled extensively in nearly all parts of the Union, and being a jovial and original character, has a wide personal acquaintance and has enjoyed a varied and interest- ing experience.
He married, in 1890, Eda H., daughter of Harvey Coburn, a lady highly esteemed and a popu- lar hostess.
CHURCHILL, HERVEY A., is best known in this section as the enterprising proprietor of an im- portant industry, Sunset Cream- ery.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.