The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 137

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064

USA > Vermont > Washington County > Montpelier > The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier. > Part 137

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JOSEPH WARREN,

editor of the Buffalo Courier, died -, 18-, in that city, of congestion of the lungs, after an illness of only one day. Mr. Warren was born in Waterbury, July 24, 1829, and graduated at the University of Vermont, in the class of 1851. He immediately en- tered the profession of journalism, as as- sistant editor of the Country Gentleman, at Albany, N. Y. In 1853, he became as- sociatè editor of the Buffalo Courier, be- coming its editor-in-chief in 1858, and re- taining that position until his death. Since the death of Dean Richmond, in 1866. Mr. Warren had been the recognized leader of the Democratic party in Erie county, and leader and counsellor of that party in Wes- tern New York and the State. Through his efforts the State Asylum for the insane was located at Buffalo, and he served on its board of managers and as chairman of the executive committee till within a month of his death. He was a member of the committee on location of the State Normal School at Buffalo, and a member of the board of trustees. He was one of the pro- jectors of the Buffalo fine arts academy, and was largely interested in the project of the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad. He was a former president of the Buffalo Young Men's Association, and a member of the council of the Medical de- partment of the University of Buffalo for the last 6 years. He was president of the New York State Associated Press at the time of his death. He was long a mem- ber of Ancient Land Mark Lodge of Ma- sons. He leaves a wife and one son .- Burlington Free Press.

DAN CARPENTER, (BY HON. PAUL DILLINGHAM.)

son of Simeon Carpenter and Anna Bur- ton, was born in Norwich, Vt., Nov. 21, 1776, where he lived, was educated, stud- ied law, and was admitted to the Bar, in Windsor County, in the spring of 1804. During the summer of that year he came into what is now Washington County, and settled at Waterbury. At that time the towns in Mad River valley together with Duxbury, Waterbury, Stowe and Mans- field belonged to Chittenden County ; there

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was no lawyer in either of them, and none nearer than Williston. Mr. Carpenter's choice was a fortunate one for him, for there had been for several years a growing desire that a reliable lawyer should settle in that vicinity, and he opened his office for business as early as Oct. 1, 1804. He was a sound lawyer-a man of most ex- cellent practical judgment, and he proved almost at once that he was a safe adviser. Having fixed upon Waterbury as his future home, he at once became identified with all its interests, and was soon a leading man in all its affairs. At Norwich, Jan. 27, 1805, he was married to Betsey Par- tridge, daughter of Elisha Partridge and Margaret Murdock, born Jan. 23, 1783. They commenced. housekeeping in the spring following, in a one-storied house, convenient for a small family, and in the year 1815, built and finished the two-story front, where his grandson, Frank Carpen- ter, now lives. They had 8 children, four of whom died in early infancy-and four lived to be settled in life, one son, William, born Oct. 25, 1805, and three daughters, Sarah P., born May 18, 1807 ; Eliza, born Dec. II, 1810, and Julia, born Dec. 3, 1812; Julia, the wife of Paul Dillingham, is now the sole survivor ; they were mar- ried Sept. 5, 1832. Sarah P. Carpenter Dillingham, died Sept. 20, 1831.

When Mr. Carpenter began business in Waterbury, justice's jurisdiction was only $13; this threw a heavy business on to the County courts, and his income was large for quite a number of years. He had no competition till 1817, when Henry F. Janes came into the town. Mr. Carpenter had a fine person, nearly six feet high, slim, straight as an arrow, and lithe, and grace- ful in every movement ; in manner he was of the old school, respectful, courteous and kind to every one. He rapidly grew into favor, and strong attachments grew up between him and a great porportion of his townsmen. He was a conscientious man, very kind to the poor, and forbearing to his every debtor. The estimation in which he stood in town, county and state, is best evidenced by the following facts : In his town he was chosen town clerk in

March, 1808, and held that office by suc- cessive elections, (save one year) till 1829, when he declined to hold that office longer. He was first selectman during most of the same years. In 1817, he was chosen rep- resentative to the General Assembly, and with the exception of 1818, he represented the town till 1827. In the fall of 1827, he was chosen first assistant judge of Wash- ington County Court, and held that office by successive elections for 8 years, when he declined further service. In 1824, he was one of the State electors of president and vice president, and by his associates was deputed to carry and deliver the votes of the State in the City of Washington. From April, 1823, he had a junior partner in his law business, Paul Dillingham, Jr. The firm was Carpenter & Dillingham, and continued till he became judge, when the business was given to Mr. Dillingham. From 1820, he had a mercantile interest in Waterbury, in company with Charles R. Cleaves. In February, 1824, he purchased Mr. Cleaves' interest in this business, to- gether with all his real estate, and his son William Carpenter, became his partner. During the summer of 1834, they erected the brick store, where his grandson, W. E. Carpenter, now lives and does business. He retired from active business, and de- voted the remainder of his life to the care of the property he had accumulated.

He died Dec. 2, 1852. His memory is cherished by many now living. His wife survived him many years, living to the age of 92. William Carpenter died March 17, 1881.

PAPER FROM HON. PAUL DILLINGHAM.

HON. WILLIAM WELLINGTON WELLS, son of Roswell and Pamelia White Wells, was born in Waterbury, Oct. 28, 1805, and died at the same place, April 9, 1869. He graduated from the University of Vermont in the class of 1824, and read law in the office of the late Charles Adams, Esq., in Burlington. He was admitted to practice at the Chittenden County Bar, but before he began the practice of his profession (for which he was thought to be particu- larly well suited both by nature and educa-

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tion, ) owing to the death of his father, he was obliged to return to Waterbury and administer the estate of the deceased. He soon became so much interested in busi- ness pursuits that he abandoned the idea of a professional life, and identified him- self with the interests of both his family and his town. For several years he had a large interest in a prominent dry-goods house in Burlington. He was afterward a member of the firm of Hutchins, Wells & Co., at Waterbury. At the latter place, he also erected a tannery. and for many years carried on an extensive business. Later on, he came into the ownership of the grist-mill just north of Waterbury village, (and near the tannery before men- tioned, ) and converted it into a first-class flouring mill, when for many years he carried on an extensive business. He also carried on a dry goods store at Waterbury Center, several years.

Mr. Wells represented Waterbury in the Legislature in 1840, '63 and '64, where he took an active part in legislative matters. He was a member of the Eleventh Council of Censors in 1855, and town treasurer and selectman several years.

He was a valuable member of the com- munity in which he lived. A ripe scholar himself, he was deeply interested in the schools of the town,-feeling that in them was to be acquired such knowledge and discipline as should fit the young for intel- ligent and useful lives.

He was equally interested in whatever was for the general interests of the town- and in furthering these he was not wont to inquire what his share of the expenditure should be, but rather how much was nec- essary to effect the purpose, and this much he contributed most gladly.

From his youth up he was a radical tem- perance man. He was Grand Scribe of the Grand Division of the Sons of Tem- perance in Vermont for 8 years, and also Grand Worthy Patriarch of the Sons of Temperance of Vermont for some time. He worked ardently to accomplish every purpose he determined upon, contributing liberally both of time and money to any- thing of a public nature. He was no office

seeker or office shunner, but was careful to honor any office which he held. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the country, and when the late rebellion broke out, and during its continuance, he gave himself almost entirely to the country's service, with an enthusiasm and hopeful- ness that was an inspiration to all around him. As chairman of the board of select- men during the greater part, if not all, of its continuance, he was the strongest among the strong. There was no call for soldiers but what was filled promptly. He fully believed that it was for the town's best interest to " pay as it went," and was such a strengthener to the weak, that Waterbury was substantially free from debt at the close of the war.

Mr. Wells lived in the faith that work was honorable, and his whole life con- formed to his faith ; his boys, too, having been reared in it, have cheerfully and faith- fully followed him in his faith and practice.

Mr. Wells was married to Miss Eliza Carpenter, second daughter of Judge Dan Carpenter, Jan. 13. 1831. This choice of a wife was a most fortunate one for him, as his subsequent life demonstrat- ed. They buried two children in in- fancy, but reared 7 sons and i daughter. Four of the sons were engaged more or less in the conflict for the Union, and one of them, William, attained the rank of Brevet Major General of Volunteers. Roswell, the eldest, is in business at Waupun, Wis. William is Collector of Customs for the District of Vermont, re- siding at Burlington. Curtis is Cashier of the Waterbury National Bank. Edward, Henry and Fred are members of the firm of Wells, Richardson & Co., of Burling- ton, (wholesale dealers in drugs and medi- cines). Charles is employed in the Customs Department of the Government, residing at St. Albans, and Sarah C., is the wife of James W. Brock of Montpelier, (1882). During the war and since, these sons of Mr. Wells have demonstated the great truth that intelligent labor faithfully pur- sued, wins.

Mr. Wells' impulses were generally working good results. He was an honest

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man in all his relations to life. Hating dishonesty, despising cant and abhorring hypocrisy, he passed a life which left ev- idences that our little part of the world was better for his having lived. He died respected by all, and mourned by many.

Mrs. Wells died Aug. 5, 1873. She was a member of the Congregational church, Waterbury.

· [We asked Gen. Wells for his war record for Waterbury in our Gazetteer in 1876, choosing it from his own pen. The fol- lowing brief paper is his return] :

William Wells, born in Waterbury, Vt., Dec. 14, 1837, entered the service as a private soldier in Co. C, Ist Regiment Vermont Cavalry, in 1861 ; was promoted to Ist Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel, Brev. Brig. General, Brig. Gen. and Brev. Maj. Gen. Vols .; was mustered out of service Jan. 16, 1866; represented Water- bury in the Legislature 1865 and 1866; was Adjutant and Inspector General of Vermont from the Ist of Oct. 1866, to May 1, 1872, when he was appointed Col- lector of Customs for the District of Vt., which position he now holds. W. W.

From the Burlington Free Press, 1872.

Gen. WELLS, born in 1837, had been engaged in business with his father, till shortly before the war broke out. He went into the service as Ist Lieutenant of Co. C, of the Ist Vermont Cavalry, was promoted to be Captain before the regi- ment reached the field, and' was made Major, Oct. 30, 1862. He was wounded in action, at Hagerstown, Md., July 6, 1863, and Sept. 13, 1863, at Culpepper, by the explosion of a shell, which also wounded Gen. Custer. He was promoted to the Colonelcy of the regiment, in June, 1864, commanded and fought the regiment during its arduous service in the Shenan- doah Valley during that summer and fall, till he was placed in command of a brigade of Cavalry. February 22, 1865, he was promoted Brigadier General for gallant and meritorious service, and May 19, 1865, was appointed Brigadier General.

He commanded a cavalry brigade at Winchester and at Cedar Creek. in which battle his old regiment, the Ist Vermont, took 23 pieces of artillery-the heaviest capture ever made by one regiment in the war-and was in command under Sheridan throughout the rest of the war, up to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House. After that he was in command of a division near Washington, till mustered out of the service. He came home a Bre-

vet Major General of Volunteers, and with as clean and honorable a record as any soldier that Vermont sent to the war.

In 1866, Gen. Wells was elected Adju- tant and Inspector General of Vermont, succeeding Gen. P. T. Washburn in that office, which he has held up to his present appointment,-[Collector of Customs for the District of Vermont at Burlington.] For several years past Gen. Wells has been a resident of this city, Burlington, and a member of the firm of Henry & Co., wholesale drug merchants. His personal standing is high, as a man of integrity, good sense, correct habits, and unblemish- ed character, and his appointment will be generally accepted, throughout the State, as one eminently " fit to be made."

The General holds the honor of having received the greatest number of promo- tions of any Vermont officer during the war. He enlisted from his native town, Waterbury.

LOCATION OF THE REFORM SCHOOL.

[Reasons for the location at Waterbury-from the First Reform School Report.]

Omitting details and particulars, it is sufficient to say that we found the condi- tions we had prescribed for a location, best answered at Waterbury, on the spot where the institution stands.

These conditions were, first, not far from 100 acres of good land suitably divided as desirable into about equal parts of tillage, meadow, pasture and woodland. Next, that the farm should all be in sight of the house, and be taken in at a glance from any point within it, a very important con- dition, which is perfectly answered in the spot we have chosen. The boys wherever they are at work on the farm, are never out of sight or hearing. As a matter of secu- rity, convenience and advantage for an es- tablishment like ours, the value of this fea- ture can hardly be overestimated. Besides the utility and practical advantage, it adds very much to the beauty of the situation, imparting a sense of unity and complete- ness, and more of the feeling of home, We did not overlook the influence of nat- ural security in fixing upon the spot we were to call our home. We rejected situ- ations, whatever might be their advantages in other respects, that were desolate, iso-

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late. distant, cut off from human society and neighborhood, easy access of friends and visitors, and from the free, warm and strong pulsations of the great social heart ; we resolved if possible to place ourselves in a situation where nature and man could exert their best influence upon us.

Hence as a third condition, we deter- mined that our location be near the rail- road, and not more than one mile from a depot, and we concluded that a thriving business village, and a live depot, were much to be preferred to a place of little business, and a depot where ready convey- ance for visitors could not be found. We thought it very desirable, (and have found it so) that we should be within easy walk of the station, and the churches and busi- ness centre of the town. Finally, if the place answering these conditions should be near the centre of the State it would be so much the better for that.

These conditions we found more nearly fulfilled in our present site than any other that was brought to our notice. The scen- ery is beautiful, the land fertile and easy of cultivation and of access in all parts. There is also an abundant supply of water brought from the hill in the rear by an aqueduct to the house and barn. In these respects, the site is unequaled, and its re- lation to the road, the depot and the vil- lage is all that could be desired. It has besides, the advantage of centrality in the State.

HANNAH GALE,

daughter of Peter and Hannah Gale, was born in Waterbury, Dec. 28, 1824. She was married to Samuel S. Luce, of Stowe, in 1847. In 1857, they removed from Waterbury to Galesville, Wis., where Mr. Luce, carpenter and architect, superintend- ed the building of the University. In 1860, he began to publish and edit The Galesville Transcript. Mr. and Mrs. Luce are both good writers of prose and poetry. They have three children. R. BUTLER.

Mr. and Mrs. Luce have published to- gether a volume, small 12 mo .. 208 pp.

POEMS. By S. S. & H. G. Luce. Trem- pealeau : Chas. A. Leith, publisher, 1876.

OUR OWN GREEN HILLS. BY HANNAH GALE LUCE.

The Switzer loves those Alpine peaks, Where sweep the clouds along,- So worship we our own green hills, And cherish them In song.

And were 1 In a foreign land, 'Mld classic halls of Rome,

I'd turn from all to fondly gaze Upon my mountain home.

I'd see among my native hills The cottage 'neath the trees-

The tall elms waving gracefully To music in the breeze.

The bright Winooski flowing near, Through waving meadows green-

The Illacs where the robins sing, When earliest flowers are seen.

The distant church spire bathed in light, Like shaft of burnished gold-

The green where roseate children play, As In the days of old.

Old Mansfield rears his rugged face, Upturned to meet the sky ; And south, the " Couching Llon " lifts His beetling crags on high.

Full many an ancient legend wild I've heard the aged tell,

Of preclous ores In caverns hid, And kept by mystic spell.

An Allen's dust reposes now, Near by the quiet lake ; No more those brave " Green Mountain boys" The forest echoes wake.

But treasured be, in every heart, The love It bears for them- Each mountain seems their monument- The winds, their requlen. . . .

Yes, dear to us our mountains green- The home of virtues rare- And dear their noble-hearted sons, And daughters good and fair.

When my freed spirit seeks a home Above all earthly ills, Here may my humble grave be found, Amid our verdant hills!

THE VILLAGE DOCTOR. BY SAMUEL SLAYTON LUCE.

I see him still, as erst of yore, With furrowed cheek, and whitened brow;

Though he's been dead of years a score, I see him stand before me now.

I seem to see his withered form Bestride his faithful white-faced mare, With old brown saddle-bags behind, Whose odor 'twas a grief to bear.

With chronic cough I hear him pass- He digs his steed with vigorous heel, Whose callous sides, from daily thumps, Had long since lost the power to feel.

The constant grin upon his face- Hls light " te he! ". at human pain, As oft he wrenched the offending tooth, Our memory ever will retain.

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But deeply down within his breast, Beneath a mail like Milan steel, 'Twas said by those who knew him best, "The doctor has a heart to feel."

'Twas in the old Green Mountain State, 'Mid deep, dread winter's drifting snow, The evening hour was waxing late, Some forty years or more ago. We sat around the ample hearth, Where maple logs were blazing bright; Glad songs arose, and social mirth, Upon that dismal winter night.

The storm-cloud hung on Mansfield's brow -- The wind blew piercingly and chill ; Fierce through the leafless branches shrieked, And roared along the fir-clad hill,

The deep'ning snow, that all day long Had fallen silently and fast, Now densely filled the frosty air, And piled in drifts before the blast.

And still we sat-the hours sped- The storm increased with fearful might ;- "I hope," our tender mother said,

"No one's abroad this dreadful night."

Our mother's voice had hardly ceased, When sudden through the opening door, O'er drifts, the quaint old doctor sprung, And forward fell upon the floor.

His brow was crusted o'er with ice, And crisp and frozen was his cheek ; His limbs were paralyzed with cold; For once, the doctor could not speak.

With genial warmth, and tender care, He soon revived, and said: "Come, Bill, Be kind enough to get my mare,- 1 must reach Martin's, on the hill."

Then on again, o'er trackless snow, Against the biting winter blast, Without the hope of worldly gain, Through mountain drifts, the doctor passed.

Far up the winding mountain road, Through forest dark and blinding snow,

He reached the desolate abode Of sickness, poverty and woe.

Long years have passed ; yet oft I ask, As howls the tempest in its might, While sitting by the evening fire, "What faithful doctor rides to-night?"

Yes, faithful ; though full well I know The world is sparing of its praise;

And these self-sacrificing men But seldom tempt the poet's lays.

And yet, 1 trust, when at the last They leave the world of human strife,

Like him "who loved his fellow-men," Their names shall grace the " Book of Life." Jan. 1871.

[The original of " The Village Doctor" was Dr. T. B. Downer, who for many years practiced in Stowe; but in middle life removed to Waterbury Centre, and practiced a number of years after. He held several town offices, and was well known in Waterbury forty years ago. I knew him well forty and fifty years ago. R. BUTLER.]

HON. HENRY F. JANES. BY EDWIN F. PALMER, ESQ.

Mr. Janes Was born at Brimfield, Mass., Oct. 18, 1792, and died at Waterbury, June 6, 1879. He was the third son of Solomon and Beulah Fisk Janes, whose family con- sisted of 4 boys and 4 girls, he surviving them all, although the others lived to a great age. In early childhood he moved with his father's family to Calais, this State, where his boyhood was passed ; and which town was represented in the Legis- lature for several years by his brother, Pardon. The Janeses were among the pioneers of Vermont.

Jonathan Janes, an uncle of Henry F., was prominent in the organization of the town of Richford, March 30, 1799, and elected its first representative, and three times after in succession ; and was also judge in Franklin County. Hon. Henry F. Janes studied law at Montpelier. While living there he went with the company from that town to the battle of Plattsburgh. He commenced the practice of his profes- sion at Waterbury in 1817, where he lived 62 years ; without avarice acquired a com- petent fortune ; and without lust for power, or a resort to sinister means, but solely through the solidity of his judgment and the unquestioned probity of his character early attained a commanding influence in his town, his county and State. He was married in 1826, to Miss Fanny Butler, a daughter of Gov. Butler. Mrs. Janes, in whom was the gentlest refinement without the least affectation, or love of display, inheriting the religious traits of her father, was greatly beloved and esteemed by all who knew her. She was born in the year 1800, and survived her husband 2 years and a few months.

Soon after settling in Waterbury, Mr. Janes was appointed postmaster, and con- tinued to hold this position till about 1829. He was one of the State councillors, 5 years, commencing 1830; a member of Congress, 3 years, commencing 1834; State treasurer, 3 years, commencing 1838 ; one of the Council of Censors in 1848; and was elected several times to the Legis- lature, his first election being in 1854.

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Mr. Janes was far removed both by na- ture and the whole education of his long life from those well described by the phrase, ·· potius callidi quam sappientes,"-crafty, not wise ; nor did he belong to that class of public men well delineated by Burns in his poem on Charles James Fox,

" How wisdom and folly meet mlx, and unite: How virtue and vice blend their black and their willte."

No man ever saw more clearly than he, that in the very nature of God's moral government nothing is, or can be even expedient, that is not intrinsically just ; and no man ever pursued more willingly or tenaciously what his conscience, illum- ined by a powerful judgment, taught him was just.

DR. HENRY JANES,

was born in this town Jan. 24, 1832. He is the son of the late Hon. Henry F. Janes, and on his mother's side, a grandson of Gov. Butler.

We find the following truthful sketch of Dr. Janes in the " Biographies of the members of the Rocky Mountain Medical Association," published at Washington, D. C., 1877 :- condensed.

The Doctor received his academical edu- cation at Morrisville and at St. Johnsbury academies, [etc]. His medical studies were commenced in 1852, at Waterbury, under Dr. J. B. Woodward. He attended his first course of medical lectures at Woodstock College, in 1852. and two courses subsequently at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York, where he graduated M. D., in 1855, and was appointed assistant, and afterwards house physician in Bellevue Hospital, New York City. In 1856, he went into practice at Chelsea, Mass .; in 1857, he returned to Waterbury, where he soon acquired a good professional business ; in 1861, en- tered the army, Surgeon of the 3d Vt. Regt. ; 1863, commissioned Surgeon, U. S. Army; 1865, breveted Lieut. Col. ; the greater part of his military service spent in hospital duty ; the fall of 62, in charge of a hospital at Burkettsville; in 1863, in the winter, at Frederick, Md. ; in the spring, of the hospitals of the 6th Army Corps ; sum- mer and fall, of the army hospitals in and about Gettysburg, and the Letterman Gen- eral Hospital, in which were about 2000 severely wounded, from the Gettysburg battle-field, with a view of studying the results of treatment of fracture and ampu-

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The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 137

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press Number of Pages: 1064

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064