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 9
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 9
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 9
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calm, philosophical way in which he had ever lived. He had no fear of death, yet was too unassuming to boast of self-righteousness. With conscience clear, not at enmity with himself or the world, he calmly faced the "Great Beyond."
June 15, 1861, he married Julia S. Darling, daughter of Norris M. and Mary (McClary) Darling. Seven children were born to them: Charles O. Blake, superintendent of department of woodwork in the shops at Southbridge, Massachu- setts; Ben Butler Blake of Eden, see page 105; James C. Blake, member of council chamber, Worcester, Massachusetts; Norris D., president V. B. C., Burlington ; Mrs. Kate B. Parkhurst of Eden; Mary C., died in infancy, and Leon H. of East Barre. Twelve grandchildren are found in the circle.
Mrs. Charles W. Blake is a de- scendant of the McClary family, who made an enviable record in Revolutionary times. Her father, Norris M. Darling, was one of the pioneers of the Republican party ; lectured many times during the John C. Fremont campaign; was agent for Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company for 30 consec- utive years; was justice of the peace and notary 40 years. He was born in 1816; died, 1888.
BLAKE, BEN BUTLER, was born in Eden, Lamoille County, Novem- ber 10, 1864; was the second son of Captain Charles W. and Julia (Darling) Blake. He was a farmer boy; attended the district school until 16 years of age, when he entered the New Hampton In- stitute at Fairfax, working for his board and lodging; here he made fine progress until trouble with his eyes compelled a halt.
BEN B. BLAKE.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
Early in life he longed to get possession of some of the timber sections in town and vicinity. He bought one lot after another until he owned quite an area. In 1891 he, with his family, moved to Mor- risville, where he built two houses, and engaged in the manufacture of butter tubs.
After five years' residence in Mor- risville he returned to his native town and in 1896 commenced the manufacture of five-pound butter boxes. He purchased the shop of
England Asbestos Mining and Milling Company, of which he was a director, their mines. He is now owner of the entire plant of that company.
In 1902 he bought the home place of Judge Edwin C. White on the Guihon Branch; also the farm across the river, formerly owned by his wife's mother. The next year he came in possession of a farm on the west shore of Lake Eden ; has built a few cottages at the place; has a fair prospect of
ASBESTOS MINES AT EDEN, OWNED BY BEN B. BLAKE.
Lieutenant-Governor Charles H. Stearns, and soon built a large saw- mill in addition. Keeping up the box business, he is also extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber of all kinds.
He represented his town in the Legislature in 1902; was three times elected one of the board of selectmen, twice the chairman of the board; is also town grand juror.
Ben B. Blake has perhaps been more widely known in the asbestos business, having sold to the New
becoming a favorite summer re- sort.
In June, 1884, Ben B. Blake married Clara Metta Buxton, daughter of Simeon and Esther (Atwell) Buxton. Her father was inventor and manufacturer of the famous Buxton water-wheel, his shop being on the same site as the Lane Manufacturing Plant of Montpelier. Her mother was daughter of Doctor Atwell, late of Eden, and widow of Doctor New- comb of Hyde Park.
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LAMOILLE COUNTY.
Mr. Blake and family are mem- bers of the Congregational Church, he being superintendent of the Sunday school for a number of years; is an active worker in the Christian Endeavor Society; is a member of the Masonic order, Mt. Norris Lodge, No. 69; also of the American Woodmen.
happy union: Myra Minnetta, born at Eden, in February, 1888, is undergraduate of Morrisville Academy, class of 1906; Marion Esther, born in October, 1891; Roger Norris, born in November, 1893; Ruth Julia, born in April, 1895-the last three were born in Morrisville.
WILLIAM J. ATWELL.
Mrs. Blake was born at Hyde Park; was educated in the schools at Worcester, Massachusetts; was a successful teacher and Sunday school teacher; is county president of Lamoille County Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
Four children were born of this
ATWELL, WILLIAM J., born in Eden, January 7, 1869, a son of James and Mary (Hadley) Atwell, and a grandson of William C. At- well, who came from Wentworth, Mass., in 1814, and settled in Eden on the farm where William J. now resides, and built the first frame
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barn in town. This barn is still standing on the premises.
William C. Atwell was a physi- cian by profession and was the first to locate in the town. He held the various town offices and represented the town in 1859, and was noted for the painstaking and faithful manner in which he dis- charged all his duties, both public and professional. He died in 1867, aged 77 years.
James, a son of Doctor William C. Atwell, was born August 15, 1831; was educated in the district schools of Eden, has always fol- lowed farming along thoroughly progressive lines, has served the town as lister, treasurer, selectman, justice of the peace, road commis- sioner, and in 1894 was elected to represent the town in the General Assembly. He married Mary Hadley of Eden. Two children were born to them: Etta M. (Mrs. Frank L. Whittemore of Eden) and William J.
William J. Atwell was educated in the public schools of Eden, People's Academy of Morrisville, and at the Albany Business Col- lege. He has always followed farming and resides on one of the best farms in Lamoille County, consisting of 137 acres; 26 head of cattle, 20 sheep and five horses are kept on the place. This is one of the finest herds of Jersey cattle in the state, having been bred from the noted Walker herd of Worces- ter, Massachusetts.
Mr. Atwell married, July 3, 1893, Hattie M. Hodges of Eden. They have two children: Merrill H., born May 31, 1897, and Irene M., born May 8, 1902.
Although a young man, Mr. At- well has frequently been called to public places by his townsmen, and
has served them as selectman, lister and town clerk; this latter office he still holds. He is known as a young man of high ideals, sterling integrity and worth.
WHITTEMORE, FRANK L., a son of Ira and Sarah (Hinds) Whittemore, was born in Eden October 18, 1861.
Charles Whittemore, father of Ira and grandfather of Frank L., was a man of note in his day. He came to Eden about the year 1800 and located on a farm near the eastern shore of North Pond, where he resided most of the remaining years of his life, rearing a family of eight children, one of whom was Ira. Mr. Whittemore was a sturdy man and much respected citizen. He held nearly all the town offices and his death was the occasion of profound sorrow to his townsmen.
Mr. Whittemore's great-grand- father entered the American army in 1778, when only 16 years old. He was one of the men who were sold to the British by the traitor Arnold. He came to Eden in 1802 and erected the first mills in town. In March, 1802, he was elected treasurer and constable and held other important offices. He was an active, interesting business man. He died in Eden in 1837.
Ira Whittemore, son of Charles, was born June 12, 1827. He was educated in the common schools and followed farming and mill work. He married, February 18, 1853, Sarah Hines, a daughter of Abel S. and Maria Hines. The Hines family were among the first settlers of Eden and long bore a leading and important part in the building and developing of the town.
Frank L. Whittemore was edu- cated in the district schools of his
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native town. After leaving school he took up mill work and later learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until four years ago, when he became proprietor of his present general store at Eden Mills.
He has served Eden as lister,
THE SHATTUCK FAMILY. Captain Moody Shattuck, a native of Athens, settled in the north- western part of Belvidere in 1807. He filled many of the town offices, represented the town several times in the State Legislature and was a captain in the battle of Plattsburg.
FRANK L. WHITTEMORE.
grand juror, auditor, school di- rector, assistant postmaster, and in 1900 represented the town in the General Assembly.
July 7, 1883, Mr. Whittemore was united in marriage to Etta M., a daughter of James and Mary (Hadley) Atwell of Eden. They have one child, Freda, born March 6, 1897.
Randall Shattuck, youngest son of Captain Moody Shattuck, was born in Belvidere, April 4, 1811. For half a century he continued to live in his native town. He mar- ried Mary A. Thomas, and eight children blessed their happy union. In 1864 he located in Waterville, but two years later removed to Eden. Here he lived a life of ac-
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tivity until 1896, when he moved to the home of his eldest son, Mar- tin; here he and his devoted wife received the tender care and atten- tion due them. December 6, 1898,
MARTIN SHATTUCK.
Mrs. Shattuck departed this life, and December 30, 1902, he re- sponded to the summons of the Great Father. He was a man uni- versally loved and esteemed and held many positions of honor and trust.
Martin Shattuck, son of Randall and Mary A. (Thomas) Shattuck, was born in Belvidere, February 5, 1842; educated in the common schools of his native town; he re- mained on the farm until he was 22, and then entered his cousin's store at Waterville as a clerk. Two years later he married Meribah E. H. Wilbur and returned to the home farmn. In May, 1871, he moved to Eden, and with a decid-
edly limited capital, entered trade, which for 35 years has annually increased in volume. He has been one of the foremost citizens of the town and has been noted as a safe and successful financier and a liberal donor to all worthy causes Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shattuck. For 22 years he served as postmaster of Eden. He has held the various town offices and in 1880 he represented Eden in the General Assembly. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Tucker Chapter, R. A. M.
HARLAN W. SHATTUCK.
Marshall R. Shattuck, son of Randall and Mary A. (Thomas) Shattuck, was born in Belvidere, August 9, 1847. He received his education in the public schools of his native town and after complet- ing his education, devoted his time to farm work in Belvidere, Water- ville and Eden until his majority. He then went to Lebanon, New Hampshire, where he was several years engaged in the furniture busi-
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LAMOILLE COUNTY.
ness with J. C. Sturtevant & Co. He was then engaged in the same line in Boston for two years, when he returned to Eden and remained with his father three years, and in 1879 he located in Worcester, Mas- sachusetts, and engaged in the produce business and has so re- mained to the present time. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
Harlan W. Shattuck, son of Mar- tin and Meribah E. H. (Wilbur) Shattuck, was born in Waterville, May 24, 1870. A year later his parents removed to Eden ; here he received his early schooling and
MARSHALL R. SHATTUCK.
graduated from the People's Acad- emy of Morrisville in the class of 1888. He then took up railroad telegraphy and was located at Cambridge Junction nearly two
years, at which time he returned to Eden and entered his father's store where he has continued ever since.
In 1891 he was united in mar- riage to Susie Dodge of Morris- town. Three children have been born to them: Roy L., Blanch Z. and Vivian J.
Mr. Shattuck has held several town offices and in 1904 was chosen to represent Eden in the General Assembly. He was appointed postmaster in December, 1897, and still holds that position.
BACON, DOCTOR HENRY W., a son of Eben W. and Mary Jane (Thorn) Bacon, was born in Chel- sea, July 15, 1849; received his early schoolingin the public schools of Chelsea and Washington Select School, and graduated from Barre Academy, J. S. Spaulding, princi- pal, in the class of 1869; studied medicine with Doctor A. E. Fields of Washington and Doctor H. O. Worthen of Barre, and at the Uni- versity of Vermont and Montreal hospitals.
Doctor Bacon located at John- son in 1871 and remained for a year, removing to Eden in 1872, where he has remained ever since, meeting with that degree of suc- cess which ever rewards the care- ful, painstaking and conscientious physician.
April 23, 1873, Doctor Bacon was united in marriage to Harriet A. Dickerman. Two children have been born to them : Minnie E. (Mrs. Timothy Chandler Arbuckle of Wolcott) and Lillian M. Kimball, Hyde Park.
For three and a half years Doc- tor Bacon served Eden as a school director and 10 years as health officer. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and is a mem-
-
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ber of the New England Eclectic Medical Society; also registered January 9, 1906, as required by section 9 of Act No. 133, Public Acts of 1904, and recorded in the office of the secretary of state, February 27, 1906.
STONE, ELBRIDGE H., born in Eden, May 30, 1847, a son of
for a year and a half, returning to Eden. At the end of that time he re-entered school for a short period of time and then spent a year and a half at his trade at Cady's Falls. In 1871 Mr. Stone bought his pres- ent shop in Eden and has ever since served the public faithfully and well.
ELBRIDGE H. STONE.
Henry H. and Diana (Richards) Stone. He was educated in the district schools of his native town and at 18 years of age went to Waterbury and remained a year, working as a blacksmith. He then went to Worcester, Massachusetts, and followed the same line of work
In 1872 Mr. Stone was united in marriage to Elizabeth M. Scott of Eden. One child has been the fruit of their happy union, Orill B., born April 19, 1880. Mrs. Stone was a daughter of Sabin Scott, who for 40 years was a merchant of Eden. He was a man of great
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worth, sound judgment and sturdy qualities, which made him a lead- ing man of his day. He lived to be 94 years of age and died in 1902.
Elbridge H. Stone has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of his town and has served as school director eight years, selectman two years, lister, collector of taxes, jus- tice of the peace twelve years. In 1884 Mr. Stone was elected to the General Assembly of Vermont from Eden. He is a member of Mount Norris Lodge, No. 69, A. F. and A. M., Tucker Chapter, No. 15, and Mount Zion Commandery, No. 9, of Montpelier.
JOHNSON.
Population, Census of 1900, 1,391.
The Lamoille Valley was from the earliest times one of the war trails of the French and Indians in their forays from Lake Cham- plain upon the pioneer settlements along the Connecticut River.
The town of Johnson was settled after the Revolution, and its his- tory cannot present as much of stirring incident and heroic ven- tures as the early settled towns. There is a story, however, relating to the first grantee, that illustrates the dangers and hardships of the times. As early as 1780 a Timothy Brown, an early settler of Jer- icho, secured a grant of the town, and caused the outlines to be run, and commenced the allotment in the eastern part of the town and gave to it the name of Brownville, or Brownington. In the mean- time the northern tribe of Indians residing upon the Canadian fron- tier had begun to pour in upon the wilderness territory of Northern Vermont, destroying property and carrying away pioneers into cap- tivity.
In 1774 Mr. Brown and his fam-
ily, consisting of his wife, a daugh- ter and two sons, made the diffi- cult journey from Massachusetts to Jericho, and considerably im- proved their lot. In 1780, the year the town was granted to him, the family was surprised and made prisoners by a party of Indians, who killed their domestic animals, set fire to their buildings and hur- ried them to Montreal. The pris- oners suffered much on their jour- ney from fatigue and hunger, their principal food being raw bear's meat. On arriving at St. Johns they were turned over to the Brit- ish officers and their captors re- ceived the bounty due them, $8 per head, for their prisoners. For three years they were retained as nominal prisoners, though they were in reality slaves, being obliged to serve their exacting masters, and receiving in return nothing but insults and the poorest fare.
During the years of Mr. Brown's captivity the charter fees for his town grant remained unpaid, and his continued absence led to the be- lief that he was dead.
So another grant of the terri- tory was made to Samuel William Johnson and his associates, bearing date February 27, 1782. Upon the return of Mr. Brown a dispute arose between him and Mr. John- son relative to the right of the township. This difficulty was com- promised by a new grant being made to Mr. Brown of the present town of Brownington, in Orleans County. The charter verifying Mr. Johnson's grant was not ob- tained until June 2, 1792, issued by the governor to the grantee and bearing the name of the grantee, Johnson.
The first settlement was made in 1784 by Samuel Eaton, who came from Piermont, New Hampshire.
A-9
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
He was a soldier of both the French and Revolutionary wars. He moved from Connecticut River, and carrying his whole effects upon a pack horse for more than sixty miles, principally through an en- tire wilderness, half of the dis- tance by spotted trees, which he and his companions had previously marked while on scouting parties
from the government for Revolu- tionary services.
The next year a number from the same vicinity in New England made beginnings in the town, two by the name of McConnell. The allotment of the town was made in 1788 or 1789. The survey, how- ever, was very incorrect.
The first town meeting was held
THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL AT JOHNSON.
in the French or Revolutionary War. He located in the westerly part of the town, on the right bank of Lamoille River, on a beautiful bow of alluvial flats, where he had frequently encamped when on his scouting excursions to Lake Cham- plain. Mr. Eaton lived to a good old age, much respected, and in his latter years received a pension
March 4, 1789. Thomas McCon- nell, Jonathan McConnell and George Gregg were elected select- men, with Jonathan McConnell, town clerk.
The first physician was Doctor William Coit.
In the spring and fall of 1801, and between that and 1805, a new class of settlers arrived in town,
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taking the places of many early settlers who had left for other parts. The names of Griswold, Ober, Morgan, Burnham, Perkins, Patch, Waters, Nichols and that of Araunah Waterman appear.
The first mail was carried through, town in 1802-'03 by John Skeeles of Peacham, on horseback, to St. Albans and back, once a week, and Araunah Waterman, Jr., was first postmaster.
The first settled minister was El- der Joel P. Hayford, who very generously surrendered his claim to the right of land as the first set- tled minister, to the selectmen, to be leased in perpetuity for the sup- port of the gospel.
During the War of 1812 the town furnished a full company of volunteers, who served upon the frontier lines at Champlain in 1813, and at the battle of Platts- burg in 1814.
The town of Johnson bonded heavily for the St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain Railroad, and the rather high taxation required to pay the interest on the principal of the bonds, for a time depressed the public desire for town improve- ments. The bonds are now paid, and Johnson compares favorably with the thoroughly modern vil- lages of the state. The town has a splendid school system and the State Normal School affords unus- ual opportunities for the youth of this locality.
S. H. Pearl, the last principal of the Academy and the first of the Normal School, was a "man of mark." He came in the fall of 1863, bringing into the school a fund of enthusiasm, of new ideas and methods, which made a pro- found impression not only upon his
special pupils but upon the public as well. It was largely through his influence that the Normal School was located here and the building fitted to receive it. He graduated nine classes from the Normal School and strongly im- pressed his personality upon his pupils, and made them feel the greatness of their responsibility in their chosen vocation.
C. D. Mead filled the position of principal acceptably during 1871. II. S. Perrigo, A. M., a graduate of Middlebury College, conducted the school with thorough instruction and excellent discipline from 1872 to 1875. William C. Crippen was principal from 1875 to 1881. Re- lying wholly on his own exertions and resources he graduated from the second course of the Randolph Normal School in January, 1875, and immediately accepted the po- sition as principal of this school. Mr. Crippen was a genius as a teacher and an enthusiastic worker in his profession. While he was principal the school hummed with activity and its number of stu- dents was trebled.
Edward Conant was principal from 1881 to 1884. This veteran instructor is too well and favora- bly known in Vermont, to whose educational interests he has de- voted his life, to require extended notice. His six years' service as state superintendent of education gave him an opportunity to learn the condition of the schools of the state, which he could have obtained in no other way.
A. H. Campbell became princi- pal in the summer of 1884. He brought to the school considerable experience and great energy and earnestness of purpose, and during
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
his long period of service carried the school to a still higher plane of achievement.
Hon. Walter E. Ranger became principal in 1896 and remained four years, resigning in 1900 to become state superintendent of ed- ucation ; here the masterly ability and genius for organization of that splendid educator was felt by both student and parent and the fame of the Johnson School grew to be that of first importance in the state. The highest standards were estab- lished and the whole spirit of the work was charged with enthusiasm.
In the winter of 1900 Professor Ranger was succeeded by John L. Alger, who was later succeeded by Edward D. Collins, an educator and historian of note.
The buildings were built, re- paired, rebuilt, and have been largely maintained by gratuitous contributions of the citizens, and they feel a laudable pride and in- terest in the school, and a well- grounded hope that a still more useful future is before it.
STEARNS, HON. CHARLES H. of Johnson, lieutenant-governor, second son of the late Otis W. and Mary A. (Carpenter) Stearns, was born in Johnson, February 7, 1854. His ancestors were of ster- ling English stock, propagated for generations in New England.
Mr. Stearns was educated in the schools of his native town, includ- ing the Johnson State Normal School, and for a short time was a student at Montpelier Seminary.
Manifesting in his boyhood marked business ability and me- chanical skill, Mr. Stearns entered, at the age of 20, into partnership with his father in the manufacture of butter tubs and boxes. He
soon mastered every detail of the process and in a few years assumed the entire control of the large es- tablishment, which, under his in- telligent management, has become one of the most successful business enterprises in the county.
Mr. Stearns is closely identified with the educational interests of the state, having held the position of local commissioner of the State Normal School under Governor Smith and Governor Mccullough. He is a stanch advocate of higher education and has made it possible for a number of worthy and aspir- ing youths to obtain the benefits of a university training.
For a long period of years Mr. Stearns has been a prominent fac- tor in the political life of his town and county, where he has filled many positions of trust and honor. In 1886 he represented the town of Johnson in the state Legislature, and was elected to the state Senate in 1898. In 1904 he was elected lieutenant-governor of the state on the ticket with Hon. Charles J. Bell as governor. In all of these positions he is a fair-minded, forceful and faithful worker. His record of public service has al- ways been characterized by hon- esty, sincerity, good judgment, and a generous consideration for the opinions and rights of others.
Mr. Stearns is a devoted sup- porter of Republican principles and policies. He has served his party in a variety of capacities, having been chairman of county committee, president of the State Republican League, and on several occasions a delegate to county and state conventions, always working loyally for the best interests of his party and state.
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LAMOILLE COUNTY.
Mr. Stearns is vice-president and ated with the Masonic fraternity. September, 1901, he received the thirty-third and last degree of the order.
director in various other financial organizations.
PARKER, HARRY C., was born in Johnson, April 5, 1864, a son of Cyrus H. and Rebecca E. (Brown)
CHARLES H. STEARNS.
Mr. Stearns is vice-president and a director of the Union Savings Bank and Trust Company of Mor- risville. He is also president and
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