The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 79

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 79

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Paris, and writes to his friends of the pas- sage : "We had but two storms, and I assure you I never wish to witness another. I wished myself in Vermont. When I saw the noble ship in which I was about to sail, lying at the dock, it did not seem possible for it to be blown about by the wind, but after getting out to sea, I realized what the wind and waves could do, and then the ship appeared to me as it was-a mere egg-shell dancing upon the water. On reaching Paris, I hired a room, furnished with everything necessary, and a femme, as they are called here, to take care of it, for which I pay $6 per month, and I get my food where I please. I devote con- siderable of my time at present, to learn- ing to speak French, and am able to talk a little." Again : "In the fore part of the day, I am either at the lying-in hospital with Paul Dubois, or in the surgeons' hos- pital with Velpeau; in the fever hospital with Louis, or at the venereal hospital with Ricord. Paul Dubois is considered the most able man in his hospital in Paris. I had a letter of introduction to him. He received me very kindly, and offered me any assistance he could render. He speaks English very well."

In the same letter he writes of the Rev- olution of. 1848 : " The Frenchmen have accomplished a great work, drove Louis Phillip from his throne, . . and pro- claimed France a Republic, in the presence of 700,000 people." Of the Socialist In- surrection which followed in June, he wrote Aug. 6 : " Several pieces of cannon were stationed near the street where I live, and it was one continual roar. After each shot, a load of wounded would be carried by my window. Of 400 in one command, all killed but 30. Next morning I went to the dead house where the killed were deposit- ed before burial-a sad picture-fathers and mothers after their sons, sisters for their brothers, and when they found them, it would seem as if they would die with sorrow."

On returning to Montpelier, he began practice, and soon married Miss Sarah E. Clark, daughter of Dr. Charles Clark. In 1855, he moved to Boston, to engage in

city practice, but before long his health began to fail; it never had been strong, and while at Boston he bled at the lungs two or three times, which induced him to return to Montpelier, where he continued to do office business, making a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear, and surgi- cal cases. In the winter of 1860, he spent 3 months in Paris, by which his health was improved.

He had one son, Chas. C. Rublee, M. D. Dr. C. M. Rublee was a clear-headed, en- ergetic, honorable man, a good physician and surgeon, and accumulated property from the practice of his profession, though his body was weak and infirm. He kept office hours 5 years after he was unable to walk any considerable distance, seldom, or never, mentioning his own sufferings and infirmities. During the last month of his life he was confined to his room, his cough becoming worse, prostration rapidly increased, and death came to his relie Jan. 26, 1870,

DR. W. H. H. RICHARDSON,

son of Samuel and Martha Richardson was born in Orange, Vt., in 1824, and die( of cerebral apoplexy, in Winona, Minn. June 5, '74. At an early age, having show! an aptitude for learning, he was fitted fo college at Thetford Academy, and entered Dartmouth, where he remained to the en of his junior year ; on account of ill healt he was obliged to omit the senior year but left college with a good reputation fc scholarship and moral character.

After regaining his health, he con menced the study of medicine in the offic of Dr. Taplin, of Corinth, Vt., and a tended lectures at Pittsfield, Mass., grad uating in 1849. Subsequently, he gra uated at the College of Physicians ar Surgeons, New York city, and entere Bellevue Hospital, where he remained or year as house physician.

In Oct. 1850, he married Miss Cynth P. Stewart, and in 1851, commenced tl practice of his profession in East Mor pelier, removing to Montpelier in 185 where for 11 years he enjoyed a large al lucrative practice. By rigid economy al

wathow y wett

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close attention to business, he acquired a William R. Shafter, of Townshend. Mrs. very respectable competence.

In 1866, becoming tired of riding over the adjacent hills at all hours of the day and night, realizing, as only a physician can, the magnitude of the burden as age advances, which many times is a thank- less task, he determined to remove to a more densely populated country, and, after traveling through the Western States, he purchased a residence in the beautiful city of Winona, Minn., on the westerly bank of the great Mississippi, where, surround- ed by his family, possessed of urbanity and great good sense, he enjoyed the confidence and respect of his neighbors and towns- people and the profession to which he be- longed, as well as that of those who sought his counsel and advice.

CAPT. NATHAN JEWETT

was born in Hopkinton, N. H., March 8, 1767, and died in Montpelier Dec. 29, 1861, in his 95th year. About the time Vermont declared her independence, the church in Connecticut, which ruled that State, commenced a persecution of the brethren who preferred the Cambridge Platform, which drove several clergymen and many excellent men into other states. Several of the fugitives came to Vermont and New Hampshire and settled in or near the Connecticut river valley, and among these was the Hon. Elisha Payne, who was very influential in effecting the two unions of New Hampshire towns with Vermont, and for a time held the offices of Lieut. Governor and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont, though residing in what is now Lebanon, N. H.

Capt. Jewett commended himself to Gov. Payne so well that he won the Governor's daughter Ruth, born at Plainfield, Conn., July 9, 1770, and married her Dec. 10, 1793, at Lebanon. From this marriage came the son, whose notice follows, and two daughters who were long ornaments in the society of Montpelier : Julia Jew- ett, widow first of Chester Hubbard, a successful merchant, and last of Hon. Au- gustine Clarke, who was State Treasurer ; and Eliza S. Jewett, widow of the Hon.

Clarke died June 1, 1881, at the age of 87 years. Mrs. Shafter is still living.

Capt. Jewett came to Montpelier in 1807, and resided there until his death, always highly respected for perfect probity, and generosity beyond his means in behalf of the best interests of the community. I remember him as a well formed man and dignified and gentlemanly in his demeanor - qualities which contributed to his election to the captaincy of the Washington Artillery. This company was specially incorporated as the Governor's guard, consisted of picked men, and was entirely independent of other military organizations. The dignity of a Cap- taincy in such a company was equal to that of a Major General of the militia. Indeed, on election day the Captain was quite as great in the eyes of the customary crowd as His Excellency the Governor, His Hon- or the Lieut. Governor, the Honorable Council, and the General Assembly.

COL. ELISHA PAYNE JEWETT

was born. in Lebanon, N. H., June 5th, 1801, and married Miss Julia Kellogg Field, daughter of the late Hon. Charles K. Field of Brattleboro, Jan. 15, 1861. He was the only son of Nathan and Ruth Payne Jewett, and he has an only daughter who bears her grand-mother Jewett's name.

Col. Jewett at 15 years was apprenticed to the late Hon. Daniel Baldwin as a clerk in the mercantile business, and after ser- vice for six years he engaged in trade for himself successfully, in the firms of Hub- bard & Jewett and Jewett, Howes & Co. On retiring from that business he was in- terested in the construction of a portion of the Vermont Central Railroad, and of the Great Western from Suspension Bridge to Hamilton, Ontario.

Later he engaged in agriculture, pur- chasing the beautiful farm on the Winooski, in the south-west corner of the town, on which the first settlement was made. He has greatly improved that farm and other lands in his possession. It is however for Col. Jewett's active exertions, by his

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personal influence and very generous con- tributions for the good of his town, to churches, State houses, and other things touching the interests of his neighbors, that he will long have "a name to live."

His integrity and reputation as a finan- cier are fully attested by the offices he has held. He was a bank director in Montpe -: lier for 42 years ; president of the State Bank (Montpelier) 6 years ; State Treas- urer-1846 and 7, and town representative in 1855. He was also Presidential Elec- tor at large in 1872. Some of the services of Col. Jewett, in getting up the Vermont Central Railroad, have been already no- ticed in the history of Montpelier, but one incident remains to be recorded. The Vermont Central Railroad never could have been built without a connecting road in New Hampshire, and the dominant par- ty in that State was hostile to railroads. A committee, of Central men, of which Col. Jewett was one, was therefore sent to Concord to wait upon the legislature and secure a charter. A scheme was arranged by Franklin Pierce, soon afterwards Presi- dent, Judge Upham and others, to have; charters granted on condition that no rail- roads should be built except on the con- sent of a board of commissioners, who of. course would be of the dominant party. Col. Jewett therefore ensconced himself at the Democratic head-quarters and soon prevailed upon an influential anti-railroad man to accept the office of commissioner, and the charter was granted. Soon after- wards Col. Jewett assisted in Gov. Paine's flank movement in favor of the Fitchburgh line, when the Railroad Commissioners hastened to approve the charter of the Northern N. H. Railroad Company.

Col. Jewett derives his military title from having been, with Gov. Charles Paine, on the staff of Maj. Gen. Ezekiel P. Walton. E. P. W.

SAMUEL WELLS.

If intelligent and successful devotion to the highest interests of a community for the best portion of a more than average life entitles one to grateful mention when the record of that community is made up,

then surely does the subject of this sketch deserve a no mean place upon the roll of honor of Montpelier.

SAMUEL WELLS was born in Milton Chittenden County, Vt., Sept. 23, 1822 His father, William Wells, was a respected farmer of that town, and a veteran of the War of 1812, having served five years as a non-commissioned officer. The record says : " He was in the expedition which invaded Canada under Gen. Scott, and participated in the battles of Chippewa French's Mills, and the siege and captur of Fort Erie. He was also one of the sur vivors of the memorable charge at Lundy' Lane, under Col. Miller, when two-third of the attacking force was cut down."

Samuel was the eldest of seven children five of whom died in childhood. With no educational advantages in early life bu the common schools of that day, thes were so prized and utilized as to enabl the farmer boy himself to become a suc cessful teacher at the early age of 18. Sub sequently he entered the law office of Hon A. G. Whittemore, of Milton, where h not only completed his course of lega studies, but, better still, became so thor oughly imbued with the high-toned pro fessional practice and honorable busines habits of the distinguished gentleman wit whom he studied, as to furnish him a mode in all his subsequent life. While studying law he also acquired a knowledge of prac tical surveying, which was of great servic to him in after years.

After admission to the bar in Chittende: County, Mr. Wells opened an office i Bakersfield, Franklin County, where h practiced his profession for some two years During this period he interested himself i: the subject of fire insurance, and finall became impressed with the advisability c the farmers of the State effecting insurance by themselves, and thus avoiding liabilit for the more hazardous classes of fir risks. Accordingly, in October, 1849, h came to Montpelier, and after enlistin other parties, an application was made t the legislature, then in session, for an ac to incorporate the Farmers' Mutual Fir Insurance Company. The application wa

Elisha Jem el

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strenuously opposed in various quarters, but finally prevailed, and on the day suc- ceeding its passage the company was or- ganized. At this organization Mr. Wells was chosen Treasurer and also a Director of the company, both of which positions he continued to hold by unanimous annual elections for 28 years, and until the day of his death. With a single exception, there was not another instance of like service in the history of the company. With that exception, not one of the original Directors remained in office, and ten out of the fifteen had long before passed away.

With his company organized, Mr. Wells entered at once upon the discharge of his official duties with all the ardor of his na- ture, and in an almost incredibly brief period of time the " FARMERS' MUTUAL " became one of the established and honored institutions of the State. It was both the pride and monument of all his after life. Its management led him to visit all sec- tions of the State, and he thus became more generally and favorably known than falls to the lot of most of our public men. Of the three thousand losses which the com- pany sustained prior to his death, he doubtless personally adjusted more than one-half, and no party ever had reason to accuse him of injustice or trickery. Of all the moneys which he recieved and dis- bursed as treasurer of the company- amounting to nearly a million of dollars- not a single dollar was ever misappropriat- ed to his personal advantage or diverted from its legitimate use.

and the almost endless and delicate labor required to supersede the time-honored district system by the infinitely better plan of union and gradation, with all the legis- lation needful to render it complete and harmonious, devolved more largely upon him than upon any other one individual. And for several years after the new system was adopted he afforded it the benefit of his aid and counsel as a member of the prudential committee. The same is true of the excellent Fire Department, which has been maintained during the last 25 years. An entire re-organization was ef- fected, improved engines purchased, new companies formed and equipped, and a new departure in discipline and efficiency taken, largely through his instrumentality. For several years he held the responsible position of chief engineer, and was a lead- ing actor in this department long after failing health warned him to desist.

In 1870, in consultation with others, he procured the chartering of the Montpelier Savings Bank and Trust Company, of which he was one of the corporators-an institution now, (1881,) with more than half a million dollars of deposits and cap- ital. In 1874 he obtained the charter of the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, with a view of providing insurance in home companies for such classes of prop- erty as could not be insured in the Farm- ers' Company, and which had hitherto been compelled to seek accommodation largely outside of the State. In this com- pany he was an active director until his death.

But fidelity to these public trusts by no In 1872 he became impressed with the absolute need of a better water supply for the village, and with such aid as he could command, secured the consideration of the subject at the annual village meeting' of that year, which resulted in the appoint- ment of a committee to examine and re- port upon the desirability of the general project, and the comparative merits of the several sources of supply. Mr. Wells was chairman of that committee, and much time and labor were expended in the ex- amination of localities, analysis of waters, means circumscribed or measured the ex- tent and value of his services to the im- mediate community in which he lived. With a generous spirit, and a ready and skillful hand, he welcomed all the broad and varied duties of the good citizen. His own limited advantages for early edu- cation led him to devise liberal things for the youth of later generations. The long and bitter struggle which finally resulted in the establishment of Montpelier's ex- cellent Union School, was inaugurated by Mr. Wells and three or four associates, survey of routes, and estimates of the cost

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of material and construction-all of which was submitted in an exhaustive printed re- port at the annual village meeting of 1873. That report strongly recommended that the supply be taken from Berlin Pond brook, and that the work be undertaken at once; and the reasons given for that re- commendation have never been contro- verted. When the village finally decides to meet this imperative necessity-and it is believed that that time is in the very near future-it will be found that the work is all plainly mapped out in Mr. Wells' report of 1873.

Charters for the Montpelier Manufactur- ing Company and also the Pioneer Manufac- turing Company, were prepared and their enactment procured by him, the establish- ment of which have added largely to the population and industrial interests of the town ; and if all the benefits anticipated therefrom have not been realized, it is solely because the monied men of the place persistently withheld their pecuniary aid and fostering care. Mr. Wells also actively aided in the work of securing the Wells River railroad, and expended no little time and labor in efforts to secure other, in some respects better, connecting railway lines. He was principally instrumental in the purchase and fitting up of Village Hall, which has ever since not only supplied an essential need, but proved a source of no small profit to the village ; also the Town Farm, where our poor, whom we "always have with us," find a comfortable asylum. And while acting as one of the "Fathers of the town," which he did for several years, it is far within the truth to say that more was accomplished by way of opening new streets, improving old ones, extending and repairing sidewalks, providing suitable drainage, and improving the external and sanitary condition of the village, than was ever effected in the same length of time be- fore or since. These, and nameless kin- dred enterprises, show the creating, shap- ing and fostering hand of Mr. Wells, and generations yet to come will share the ben- efits of his generous and self-denying labors. Nor did he shrink from assuming his full proportion of the burdens of these

public improvements, for the records of each one will testify to an outlay of time, labor and money which furnish the best possible guaranty of good faith, and which show a degree of liberality entirely dispro- portioned to his means. And while the more conservative portion of the commu- nity looked upon some of his enterprises as visionary and impracticable, time is rapidly demonstrating that his only misfortune was to be but a tithe as far in advance of the times as his critics were in the rear.

Though the general practice of the law was abandoned on coming to Montpelier, Mr. Wells nevertheless retained his con- nection with the bar, making a specialty of insurance law and practice. He was in- dustrious and thorough in the preparation of his cases, and sought for the solid ground of equity, which he regarded as the very essence of law. Some points of in- surance law of the first importance became permanently settled through his instru- mentality.

In · politics Mr. Wells was an unwaver- ing Democrat, thoroughly imbued with the principles of the schools of Jefferson and Jackson. He was unskilled in the party tactics of modern times, and might well have said, with Addison :

"Believe who will the artful shams-not I."

However, he followed the fortunes of his party, and the esteem in which he was held by his associates is well certified by his having been made at different elections their candidate for Congress, State Treas- urer and. Presidential elector, and also chosen a member of the State Committee and chairman of the District Committee. He was also made a candidate for various county offices. His party being uniformly in the minority, however, he received no elections to office save such as were con- ferred by his political opponents ; but in such esteem was he held that for many years he was chosen a selectman, town agent and justice of the peace.

The leading traits of Mr. Wells' char- acter were well stated by one of the local papers at the time of his decease :

" Montpelier had no better citizen than Samuel Wells. Honest in all his convic-

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tions and actions ; public-spirited and lib- eral in all projects for the general good ; favoring all improvements that promised to enhance the prosperity of the town ; very generous in aiding all objects of char- ity ; ever ready to assist those who were trying to assist themselves ; careful in form- ing opinions, and then courageous in avow- ing and standing by them ; a considerate and kind-hearted man, a true friend, an excellent neighbor, an affectionate husband and father, he was one of those whose true worth will be more and more realized as time develops what was lost when he was taken. His proudest monument will be that all are fully justified in speaking well of him, and, that he was really an honest man-" the noblest work of God." Than this, no higher eulogy can be given any man."

Though not a communicant, Mr. Wells was a habitual attendant and liberal sup- porter of Bethany church. For many years he served upon its prudential com- mittee, and had the custody, as surveyor, of its church edifice.

In Sept. 1854, Mr. Wells was married to Mary P. Leslie, of Newbury, who, to- gether with two daughters. survives him, a son having died in childhood.

Jan. 31, 1878, before completing his 57th year, Mr. Wells died-prematurely, as the record runs and as the world judges ; but

"We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; In feelings, not in figures on a dial. . He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best." Judged by this standard,

"The hand of the reaper Sought the ears that were hoary." J. P.

HON. JOHN SPALDING,

son of Reuben Spalding of Sharon, born 1790, died April 26, 1870, in his 81st year. He came to Montpelier in 1813, and en- tered into trade for himself, and afterwards was a partner in the firms of Chester Hub- bard & Spalding, Langdon & Spalding, Langdon, Spalding & Co., and John & Charles Spalding, retiring from mercantile employments in 1840, after which he spent much of his time in agricultural pursuits. He married a daughter of Hon. Salvin Collins, who bore him two sons and three daughters, John and Eliza now [1881] only surviving. Judge Spalding was a

large and good looking man, of a kind disposition, and excessively affectionate to his children. His integrity was undoubt- ed, and so earned for him the responsible offices which he held. He was some time Director and President of the old Bank of Montpelier, and also President of the Ver- mont Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Judge of Washington County Court 1840, and State Treasurer 1841 to 1846.

MAJ. RICHARD W. HYDE

was born in Lebanon, N. H., Oct. II, 1801, died in Montpelier Nov. 13, 1865. He came of good stock, which contributed many good men to this State, Lieut. Elihu Hyde having served as representative for Lebanon in our Legislature 1781, under the second union with New Hampshire towns, and been commissioned as a mag- istrate. Maj. Hyde came to Montpelier in 1828, and lived there until his death. The following account of his business life, and beautiful tribute to his character, from the pen of the late Hon. C. W. Willard, writ- ten in Nov. 1865, will make the best biog- raphy of this worthy man.

" Some 35 years ago Major Hyde came to Montpelier and embarked in mercantile business, which he followed without inter- ruption and with well-merited success up to the time of his death-at which time he was senior partner of the firm of Hyde, Foster & Co., a house of the first respecta- bility and prosperity. The gradual but steady success which attended the busi- ness life of Mr. Hyde through all those years which brought vicissitudes to perhaps most of his cotemporaries, was the result of no tricks of trade or hazardous specula- tion ; but the legitimate fruit of enlighten- ed judgment and honorable dealing. And his example in this respect, now bequeathed to the junior members of the firm, is a rich legacy in itself, and a sure harbinger of success if properly followed.

" But Mr. Hyde's business habits in no degree rendered him indifferent or narrow- minded in respect to the best interests of our community. No man among us more heartily seconded all enlightened plans to promote the material interests and pros-

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perity of the town-to improve our schools -to build and support our churches-to meet the calls of general benevolence and charity, and especially to supply the neces- sities of the poor.

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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 79

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