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 4
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 4
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 4
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emy was supported by tuitions and assessments upon members of the corporation, when tuitions were in- sufficient, and afterwards the acad- emy was supported by the town and tuitions are now free to every scholar in town.
Among its former teachers, some of whom have become prominent in other walks of life, we name Hon. H. H. Powers, Hollis S. Wilson, Esq., now a prominent attorney at
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
The Dalles, Oregon, Henry M. McFarland, Esq., Hon. Roger W. Hulburd, Hon. John W. Redmond of Newport, Professor H. B. Chit- tenden and M. S. Vilas, Esq., of Burlington and E. L. Ingalls, at present the superintendent of the Industrial School at Vergennes.
In 1897 the school outgrew its old quarters over the town hall and the town built that year a new five- room school building, at the ex- pense of $10,000. The new build- ing is situated on what is known as the Keeler flat, with a splendid campus of about four acres, over- looking the valley of the Lamoille. The location is an ideal one for an institution of learning.
The academy, which is now also a graded school, has four courses of study: Classical, Latin-Scien- tific, English and the Normal Course. The school fits for college and as a rule for many years has furnished its share of students to the University of Vermont, to which institution the academy has always been loyal.
The present corps of teachers is made up as follows : Professor C. E. Junkins, principal; Mrs. Grace M. Stevens, preceptress; Miss Mary Maurice and Misses Rose and Win- nie Rooney, assistants.
JUNKINS, C. EDSON, a son of Charles W. and Annie E. (McIn- tire) Junkins, was born at York Corner, York County, Maine, Jan- uary 23, 1878. He was edu- cated in the public and high schools of his native town, grad- uated from the South Berwick Academy, class of 1898, taught school in the towns of York and Eliot for three years and in 1901 entered Bates College at Lewiston, Maine, and graduated in the class of 1905 with the degree of A. B.,
and received class honors in ath- leties and debate. During his col- lege course Mr. Junkins taught school at Hancock, New Hamp- shire.
September 6, 1905, he came to Hyde Park as principal of Lamoille Central Academy. He is a care- ful, painstaking and industrious teacher, who takes a deep interest in educational matters and has de- veloped a singular aptitude for his
C. EDSON JUNKINS.
chosen profession, to which he has brought a genuine and lasting enthusiasm.
SAWYER, COLONEL EDWARD B., was born in Hyde Park, April 16, 1828, a son of Joshua and Mary (Keeler) Sawyer. Was educated in the public schools of his native town; June, 1849, was admitted to the bar, and in December of that year was appointed clerk of the court : served two years, was re- appointed in 1852; resigned in
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LAMOILLE COUNTY.
1861 to enter the army; raised Company D, Fifth Vermont In- fantry; raised Company I, Cav- alry, of which he was unanimously elected captain; raised the Sixth Squadron Vermont Cavalry; was promoted to major, April 25, 1862, colonel, September 16, 1862, and resigned April 28, 1864. He was a member of the convention that formed the Republican party in Vermont, a member of the national
emy. In 1880 Mr. Robbins located in Eden and took up farming. By a lot of hard work and an unusual amount of time being devoted to his own business, Mr. Robbins has gained a host of warm personal friends and a comfortable property.
In 1892 Mr. Robbins built the always popular Hotel Johnson and for eight years was a most genial landlord. August 15, 1905, he bought Hotel Phoenix. For 20
HOTEL PIICENIX.
convention of 1860, was an advo- cate of the nomination of Lincoln, and attended both his inaugura- tions. Since the war, Colonel Sawyer has devoted himself largely to newspaper work and the practice of the law.
ROBBINS, AUGUSTUS D., was born in Craftsbury, July 19, 1850, a son of Waterman A. and Julia (Eldredge) Robbins. He attended the district school and completed his education at Craftsbury Acad-
years he has been a deputy sheriff and for four years sheriff of the county.
December 22, 1876, Mr. Robbins made a most fortunate and happy contract by which he was united in marriage to Delia M. Fulton, a lady of rare worth, kindly disposi- tion and splendid judgment, to whose painstaking care much of the comfort and homelikeness of Hotel Phoenix is due.
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SUCCESSFUL- VERMONTERS.
HOTEL PHOENIX. Not the least of the many advantages of the village and town of Hyde Park is the possession of an elegant, commodious, well-kept hotel. A good hotel emphasizes and gives full effect to many other local at- tractions, among which we may mention the semi-annual sessions of the county court.
ITotel Phonix was built in 1891 by a stock company, at an expense
AUGUSTUS D. ROBBINS.
of about $13,000, and is a credit to its builders and the town. It has a frontage of 75 feet and is a model of architecture. The interior is conveniently arranged and com- plete in every appointment. The house is heated throughout with steam and the cozy fireplace in the office throws off a cheerful glow. An abundant supply of cold spring water, electric lights, call bells, hot and cold baths, well-fur- nished and pleasant rooms for the
accommodation of 50 guests, are provided. There is a large and attractive dancing hall on the sec- ond floor. A first-class barber shop and good livery are connected.
The dining room is large, cozy, and well lighted, and the table ser- vice is unsurpassed. After 10 years Landlord Robbins certainly knows how to put up a menu suited to the gastronomical appa- ratus of the commercial traveler. The humblest traveler is received and entertained with that kindly courtesy so natural to Mr. Rob- bins, and every want of the guests is promptly anticipated and supplied.
CAMPBELL, LATE CALVIN. His- tory tells us that about 1828 Rob- ert Campbell, a native of Bradford, New Hampshire, came and settled near Centerville on the place now occupied by his grandson, Oscar N. Campbell.
Calvin Campbell, son of Robert and Judith, was born in Bradford, New Hampshire, February 27, 1823, and came with his father to Hyde Park. He married for his first wife, Mary Jane Herrick, who died childless. He then married Lucy A. Herrick, a sister of his first wife, who bore him seven chil- dren : Cora L., deceased; Flora A. (Mrs. H. H. Hyde of Barton) ; Charles H., who resides at Barre; Arthur E., also residing at Barre; Everett H., a successful merchant at Hardwick; Oscar N., a merchant at Centerville, Hyde Park; and Herman L., now of Barre. A peculiar fact is that the five sons are all affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Arthur E. and Oscar N. both being past chancellors.
In 1849 Calvin Campbell, in company with his brother, Jackson Campbell, started for California
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LAMOILLE COUNTY.
and became two of the now noted "forty-niners." They were gone about a year, but with all the delay and hardship incident to a trans- continental trip in those pioneer days, Calvin Campbell returned with sufficient virgin gold to have $1,500 minted into $20 gold pieces
years. For a considerable time Mr. Campbell, in company with his brother, Robert, conducted an extensive saw and gristmill busi- ness, but the flood of July 2, 1880, swept the mill away and the busi- ness was not resumed. In 1882 he built the store where his son, Oscar
CALVIN CAMPBELL.
upon his arrival at New York. Upon his arrival home he settled on his farm near Centerville and built a house, remaining there until 1865, when he moved to Center- ville, buying of the Luther Camp- bell estate the house he owned at the time of his death. Here he conducted a general store for many
N., is now located. Here he con- tinued a careful, energetic and suc- cessful mercantile career until Jan- uary, 1905, when he retired, dis- posing of his business to his son.
Calvin Campbell was a sturdy old school gentleman, a man of the highest ideals, who had no patience with intrigue or subterfuge. He
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
said what he meant and desired that others do likewise. He died on his eighty-second birthday, Feb- ruary 27, 1905.
Oscar N. Campbell, son of Cal- vin, was born January 24, 1874. . He married, March 1, 1905, Demis M. Town. A sad and peculiar in- cident occurred that unites these two families in a strong tie of sym- pathy. Samuel Town, father of Demis M., died February 27, 1905, the same day as Calvin Campbell, and on the day of the funeral the families were united by the mar- riage of Oscar N., son of Calvin, and Demis M., daughter of Samuel.
WHITCOMB, ALBERT M., a grandson of Simeon Whitcomb, a native of the Province of Quebec, was born in 1781, married Betsey Youngman and came to Morris- town about 1820. He resided in that town for a few years and re- moved to Hyde Park, where he died, March 31, 1861. He had three sons and three daughters, who grew to maturity. One of the sons, Sylvester G., was born in St. Armand, Province of Quebec, Feb- ruary 12, 1815. He was educated in the public schools of his time and married Harriet C., a daugh- ter of Lyman and Betsey (Gray) Fisher, who was born at Hyde Park, April 26, 1823. Ten chil- dren were born to them: Mary E., Lyman L., Solon S., Albert M., Charles E., Willard M., Hattie A., and three others who died in infancy.
Sylvester G. Whitcomb located in Hyde Park with his father, be- came a successful farmer and fol- lowed that occupation until his death, which occurred December 26, 1882. He was a sturdy, sub- stantial and highly-esteemed citi- zen. Harriet C., his wife, died at
Claremont, New Hampshire, Octo- ber 13, 1904, at the age of 81 years.
Albert M. Whitcomb was born, December 7, 1848, at Hyde Park; was educated in the public schools, and being possessed of sound mind and a good physique he early de- cided to live close to nature and has always followed farming along progressive and successful lines and now owns one of the best up-" land farms of 200 acres in Lamoille County, carrying 30 cows, 125 sheep and 10 head of horses and young stock.
Mr. Whitcomb married, Janu- ary 1, 1871, Silveria E., a daughter of David B. and Lucinda (Luce) Reed. She was born, July 19, 1849, at Morristown. To this happy union there were born nine children : Ethel S., December 14, 1871; Herbert M., July 27, 1874; Mabel E., September 4, 1875; My- ron J., January 1, 1878; Bessie F., May 8, 1880; Harold J., February 10, 1883; Beulah V., August 3, 1884; Rossie L. and Flossie L., December 8, 1889.
Harold J. died September 23, 1883; Rossie L. died September 23, 1890, and Silveria E. Whitcomb died January 20, 1892.
Albert M. Whitcomb married, May 2, 1897, for his second wife, Lucy A., daughter of John P. and Mary (Brown) Burbank. She was born in Warren, New Hampshire, August 22, 1875. To Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb there have been born three children : Albert S., Novem- ber 14, 1899; Mary H., February 19, 1900; Helen E., October 11, 1904.
Mr. Whitcomb has always en- joyed the entire confidence of his townsmen. He has been frequently selected to administer estates and
2
6
13
12
2. Mrs. Silveria E. Whitcomb.
4. Albert S.
5. Mary H.
6. Helen E.
ALBERT M. WHITCOMB AND FAMILY.
1. Albert M. Whitcomb.
7. Ethel L.
8. Mabel E.
9. Bessie F.
3. Mrs. Lucy A. Whitcomb.
10. Beulah V.
11. Flossie L.
12. Herbert M.
13. Myron J.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
as a guardian for minors, and has served Hyde Park as a lister for 17 years, selectman several years and as auditor two years. In all these positions of trust and confi- dence he has proved shrewd, capa- ble and honest and is today re- garded as an ideal citizen, whose deepest interest is in the building and bettering of his town and county.
MORRISTOWN.
Population, Census of 1900, 2,583.
The early history of Morristown contains few features of thrilling and distinctive interest as the town was not one of the earliest settled of this section. The charter was granted in 1780, to Moses Morse and 64 associates, but the settle- ment in 1790-'91, was contempo- raneous with the birth of the state.
The first permanent settler, Ja- cob Walker, erected a rough log house, roofed with bark, in the summer of 1790. In the spring of 1791, with his bride, Phillipa Story, his brother, William, his wife and two children, and two hired men, he returned to the scene of his former labors to build a home in the primeval wilderness.
The winter was spent in their former home. Comfort Olds, with his wife and two children, shared the hospitality of the Walkers dur- ing the summer of 1792, and alone passed the winter of 1792-'93 in the rude cabin. In the spring of 1793 Jacob Walker and his wife returned to their cabin and their second child, Lemira Walker, was the first child born in town.
The town was organized in March, 1796, with Comfort Olds as town clerk, and Nathaniel Goodell, Crispus Shaw and Elisha Board- man, selectmen. The latter was a
leading spirit in town, the first ho- tel keeper, the first representative, and several years town clerk. His hotel served for the town house. He was also justice of the peace and tied most of the bridal knots of the period.
In 1815 this little community was able to erect a town house, a rough board, one-story structure, which was the place of public wor- ship until the brick church was erected at the Corners in 1823, af- ter which for many years the Con- gregationalists and Baptists occu- pied this church on alternate Sabbaths.
Doctor Ralph Tinker, the first physician, settled at the old Cen- ter in 1802, and Deacon Walker erected a sawmill and oil mill there on Cook's brook, expecting to make that point the town's business center. Doctor James Tinker settled at the Corners in 1809, and in a few years Joseph Sears opened a tavern, Charles Meigs a law office, John Cole set up a tannery, Robert Kimball started a dry goods store, Giles Rood built a sawmill, and the little village easily led the procession. But the Corners was not long to enjoy the primacy in town affairs. The open- ing up of the Laport road direct from Stowe to Morrisville, and the settlement on the Randolph road, gave a preponderating voting and business strength to Morrisville, which in 1838 permanently secured the town clerk's office. Two years later the mail route from Water- bury to Hyde Park via the Cor- ners, was changed to run by way of Morrisville.
The record of the First Baptist church, organized in 1811, shows that Jacob Walker and John Hub- bard were the first deacons, and
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LAMOILLE COUNTY.
also turns on a ray of side light that illuminates the times and photographs its characters. We have the excellent authority of Honorable H. Henry Powers for the fact that the church, one Sat- urday in each month, sat in solemn inquisition and stern judgment "upon all matters affecting the members, of whatever kind or char-
to whatever judgment was imposed and nearly every member of the church, minister and all, were at some time brought before it upon accusation of misdoings."
J. C. Noyes opened a grocery store at Morrisville in 1815, and David P. Noyes a general store soon afterwards. The transforma- tion from the materials and meth-
PEOPLE'S ACADEMY AND MORRISVILLE GRADED SCHOOL.
acter." "Having bedbugs in the house, getting drunk on special oc- casions, gossiping by the ladies, voting taxes upon unwilling tax- payers, etc., were subjects that the church undertook to regulate." And what is more remarkable, "every member of the church rec- ognized the jurisdiction over these matters and gracefully submitted
ods of the early traders to the ex- tensive and well-assorted stocks of today is something wonderful. Liquid refreshments were then in great demand, and were openly sold, both retail and in quantity, by all traders, unvexed by statutes and licenses. It took a pound of butter to buy a pound of nails and calico was 50 cents per yard. The
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
early doctors were able and consci- entious men, as a rule, and exerted an important social as well as pro- fessional influence.
The earliest lawyers were
Poland, Charles Robinson and Thomas Gleed.
Morrisville has always contained a strong bar and an unusual num- ber of law students have read here
Leslie & Shaw
Charles Meigs at the Corners and George M. Mason at Morrisville. The latter was followed succes- sively by S. A. Willard, Levi P. Vilas, E. L. Mayo, the late Judge
who have attained distinction in the profession and in politics, among others, Chief Justice Dixon of Wisconsin, ex-Governor Glick of Kansas, Levi Underwood, Hon.
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LAMOILLE COUNTY.
L. B. Vilas, and the eminent local attorneys.
It is interesting to glance at the horizon of Morristown in 1840, through the field glass of Zadock Thompson, as this date is the half- way station of its progress. The Gazetteer gives four physicians, two attorneys, ten sawmills, two gristmills, two tanneries, two card- ing machines, one woolen factory, four stores and two taverns. Pop- ulation, 1,502.
The population of the town has doubled, the increase being mainly during the last two decades.
Morristown is the leading and central town in the beautiful La- moille Valley. Nature has here allotted the bounteous gifts of a quick, easy, fertile soil, bracing mountain air, excellent water and water power, and charming scen- ery. The location here of the People's Academy soon after 1840, marks distinctly an advance step and neutralized other causes which tended toward retrogression. This was also an era of church building.
In common with other Vermont towns, this was depleted in pop- ulation by the California gold fever of 1849, the subsequent tide of western emigration, the sharp competition of broad, fertile west- ern acres, and by the loss of some of its choicest spirits on southern battlefields. In 1870-'72 the pro- jection and building of the then Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad sent an electric thrill through the town, and aroused a sense of its latent resources. Portland Street was laid out and many new build- ings erected: Morrisville became the central distributing point and restaurant station on this line of railroad, being midway from Bur- lington or Swanton to St. Johns-
bury, also the most convenient rail- road point to the grandest scenery of the Green Mountains.
The village crowns a broad, handsome plateau, and is sur- rounded by a glorious ampitheatre of hills and mountains. Off to the southeast the "Chin" of Mount Mansfield is just visible resting on the shoulder of old Sterling, while in the near background towers the rock-ribbed form of Mount Elmore, and just beyond is beautiful Lake Elmore, a liquid gem of the hills, set in the emerald of field and forest.
From the building of the rail- road the career of village improve- ment set in. Centennial block, a magnificent structure, and other fine buildings, were erected, the fibre board industry, the tannery, the granite sheds, the machine shop and foundry were secured and es- tablished, and the village was vocal with the myriad-voiced hum of industry.
The best products of Morristown are her men and women; her proudest boast the ability, intelli- gence and character of her citizen- ship. Thanks to her homes, her institutions, her academy and her churches, there have come forth here for every emergency men of full stature, sound scholarship, lib- eral spirit and proved integrity, whose influence has been potent and pervasive in refining, crys- tallizing and uplifting public sentiment.
SHAW, HON. LESLIE M., of Iowa, was born in Morristown, La- moille County, November 2, 1848. When four years of age his people moved to Stowe, where he received a common-school education, with a few terms in the village high school and in People's Academy at Mor-
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
risville. When 21 years of age he went to Iowa, graduated from Cor- nell College in 1874, and from the Iowa College of Law in 1876, hav- ing earned the means with which to educate himself. After gradua- tion he located in Denison, the county seat of Crawford County, Iowa, and engaged in the practice of law. He was led by the de- mands of the community into the negotiation of farm loans, and from that into general banking at Denison, at Manilla and at Char- ter Oak in the same county. While keeping the practice of law in the foreground, he was thus kept in touch with financial matters, both East and West. Until 1896 he took no active part in politics, excepting in national campaigns, when he frequently made speeches in defense of the principles of the Republican party, in which he was a firm believer. In 1896, at the request of the state central com- mittee, he placed his entire time at its disposal. This led to his nom- ination for governor and election in 1897, and his reelection in 1899, in which he doubled his previous plurality and quadrupled his pre- vious majority. He peremptorily declined a third term and planned to return to his law practice and business interests. A few days be- fore the close of his term, however, without solicitation or suggestion from himself or friends, he was tendered the position of secretary of the treasury and assumed the duties of the office on February 1, 1902.
POWERS, HON. H. HENRY .- By permission, the sketch of Judge Powers is, with some amendments and additions, taken from the "Men of Vermont."
Horace Henry, son of Horace
and Love E. (Gilman) Powers, was born May 29, 1835, at Morristown, a descendant of Walter Powers, who emigrated to this country in the early part of the seventeenth century. Ile prepared for his college course by study in the Peo- ple's Academy at Morrisville, en- tered the University of Vermont, and graduated therefrom in 1855.
Two years immediately following his graduation were passed in teaching school at Huntingdon, Canada, and at Hyde Park. Dur- ing this period he began the study of law under the direction of Thomas Gleed of Morristown and subsequently continued under that of Child & Ferrin at Hyde Park. Admitted to the bar of Lamoille County in 1858, he settled in Hyde Park and there practiced his pro- fession until March, 1862. He then formed a law partnership with Philip K. Gleed at Morrisville and continued with him until Decem- ber, 1874, when he was elected to the bench of the Supreme Court.
Throughout the whole of these years the firm enjoyed a large and comparatively lucrative practice in the Counties of Lamoille, Or- leans, Caledonia and Franklin. His professional standing was fully equal to that of the best in North- ern Vermont. Independently of his high judicial position, Judge Powers has worthily and satisfac- torily filled many other public of- fices. He represented Hyde Park in the Vermont Legislature of 1858 and had the distinction of be- ing the youngest member of the House.
In the session of 1872 he repre- sented Lamoille County in the Sen- ate, served on the judiciary com- mittee and officiated as chairman of the committee on railroads. In the
H. HENRY POWERS.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
years of 1861-'62, he was state's attorney for Lamoille County. In 1869 he was a member of the last council of censors, and in 1870 made his influence powerfully felt in the State Constitutional Con- vention, which effected the change from annual to biennial sessions of the Legislature. He acted as chair- man in committee of the whole.
Judge Powers was married in 1858 to Caroline E., daughter of V. W. and Adeline Waterman of Morristown. Their two children are Carrie L. and George M. Powers.
Judge Powers has been promi- nently identified with the banking interests of this section, 25 years as a director of the Lamoille County National Bank, also as a director of the Merchant's National Bank of St. Johnsbury several years, and of the Union Savings Bank and Trust Company of Mor- risville since its organization. He has often been appointed adminis- trator of estates, and as executor has had the principal charge of the large Judevine estate, a very com- plicated and difficult trust, which he has discharged with signal ability.
He has always found time to take an active and conspicuous part in the local interests of his native town. In 1874 he repre- sented Morristown, was chosen speaker, and received his first election to the bench, which posi- tion he filled with distinction until his election in 1890 to the fifty- second Congress from the first Ver- mont district. In Congress his high rank is attested not only in debate, but by conspicuous posi- tion on
the most important committees.
He served on the judiciary com-
mittee in the fifty-second and fifty- third Congresses, and as chairman of the committee on Pacific Rail- roads in the fifty-fourth and fifty- fifth Congresses. He reported and favorably advocated a very impor- tant bill, which attracted wide at- tention, and met with strong oppo- sition, for the refunding and ex- tension of the liabilities of the Pa- cific Railroads. In 1892 Judge Powers was chairman of the Ver- mont delegation at the Republican National Convention at Minneapo- lis. A forceful and original per- sonality, of wide experience and ripe scholarship, naturally liberal and optimistic in his religious and political views, Judge Powers, as a lawyer, legislator, or jurist, has always commanded the respect and admiration of his fellow citizens.
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