The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 82

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 82

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In the summer of 1862, Mr. Carlton en- listed in the Eleventh Regiment, in camp at Brattleboro, and was soon commissioned by Gov. Holbrook as quartermaster of the regiment. This regiment, it will be re- membered, was for some time employed in the defenses of Washington. While

thus engaged, Lieut. Carlton was promot[ to the responsible position of commissa of subsistence, with the rank of capta Exceedingly capable and faithful as officer, his field of duty was rapidly (. larged, until the immense work of furni !. ing supplies and cattle to the Army of 1: Potomac fell upon his shoulders.

In a single trip to Western Pennsylvan, for the purchase of cattle, he took out hf a million of dollars, and drew on goveil. ment for another half million. To d. charge promptly and efficiently the dut ; of his position, he required the assistar of from one hundred to two hundred fail. ful men, and often a detailed escort of ; many more in taking herds to the fro and yet, so well organized was his depa). ment, so systematically conducted, and well kept constantly in hand, that might defy even. the exigencies of war find his account in an unsettled or uns isfactory condition. Indeed, so envial was his reputation as an officer, that wh Senator Collamer, through whose kindne; he received his promotion, inquired at t headquarters in Washington after t standing of his appointee, the reply wi " He is a model officer. His capaci integrity, efficiency and invariable habit closing up his affairs every day, are wort of all praise." Mr. Carlton was also ( tailed for similar service in New Yc. city, and at some southern points, bei ; retained in service nearly a year after t: general mustering out took place. Ma were the bribes he refused during the; years, saying, " I rather go home with clear conscience." He was twice ve dangerously ill ; once with his regimer and again at Aquia Creek. As an attes tion of his honorable record as an office he was made Major by brevet before lea ing the service, and that without a agency or knowledge on his part.

Like hundreds of thousands of his ass ciates, Mr. Carlton returned from the fie of strife to assume the avocations and : sponsibilities of a good citizen. So after his return, he made a public pi fession of his faith in Christ, which he h long cherished, and united with Betha

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church. From that time he was an active and influential member, holding various positions of honor and trust in both the church and society, and particularly in the Sabbath-school. He was a man of deep convictions and strong prejudices, and he would far sooner endure a sharp contro- versy than yield a point which he believed to be right. His natural frankness and freedom of speech was augmented by an instructive and overwhelming detestation of hypocrisy and duplicity. He was an earnest worker in temperance and all moral reforms. The same qualities which con- stituted his superiority as an officer in the army, marked his discharge of the various official trusts committed to him both in the church and community. Capacity, in- tegrity, system and promptness in under- taking and completing a given duty, were his prominent traits. He was a strong power for good in the community in which he lived. He died in Montpelier, May 29, 1874.

ROBERT HARVEY WHITTIER

was the son of John Whittier and Sally Edgerton, of Cabot, was born in that town June 16, 1822, and died at Montpe- lier Feb. 13, 1879. At the age of 21 years he came to Montpelier, under the friendly agency of the late Schuyler Phelps, Esq., of Berlin, and entered the service of the late William S. Smitb, who for many years conducted a meat market in this village. After spending three or four years in this position, he went for a brief period to Bos- ton, and then returned to Vermont and opened a meat market in St. Johnsbury. After the expiration of about a year, and upon the death of Mr. Phelps, the friend and patron of his youth, Mr. Whittier was married to his daughter, Susan C., and re- moved to the Phelps homestead, in Berlin, where he remained for seven or eight years. In 1858, he came to Montpelier and bought out the old and popular meat market of the late William B. Hubbard, "on the corner," which business he successfully and honorably conducted until the day of his death. The character of his business was such as to bring him a very extended

acquaintance, and his proverbially genial nature and buoyant spirits made friends of all who knew him-insomuch that the business men of the town are few who were so extensively known or whose death would be so seriously felt. In the death of Mr. Whittier the community has lost a public spirited citizen, whose shoulders were always ready for his share of the bur- dens ; the poor a generous friend, the ex- tent of whose quiet charities will never be revealed in time ; the church of his choice a habitual attendant, and appreciative lis- tener and a ready and cheerful supporter ; his family the kindest of husbands and fathers. Mr. Whittier leaves a widow and son, who share the heartiest sympathy of the entire community. The funeral was observed on Saturday, Rev. Mr. Hincks, of Bethany church, officiating. A large concourse of people were in attendance, as were the Masonic fraternity in a body.

- Watchman.

THE DODGE FAMILY.

In 1811 two brothers, Jared and Thomas Dodge, who were born in New Hamp- shire, came from Barre to this town. Jared, the eldest of the two, early be- came a member of the Congregational church, and was a devoted member until his death. He married Naomi Olcutt, of Keene, N. H., and reared a family of 6 sons and 3 daughters, another daughter dying in infancy. Mary, the eldest, mar- ried for her first husband a Mr. Wallace, and for her second, William Storrs, for many years a merchant in town, who died in March, 1870. She was a Spartan mother, for she gave her two only sons to the late war, who were both sacrificed upon the altar of their country. (See the town military record.) Of the other daughters, Angelina and Abigail died when in their teens. Almira married, and is yet living. Of the sons, Theodore A., the eldest, was a very eccentric man. When the rebellion broke out, he offered his services to his country, but for age and disability was re- jected. We give an extract from one of his poetic effusions, to the tune, " Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled" :

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THE VERMONT VOLUNTEER.

Who for Freedom's cause and law, Freedom's sword of Justice draw, For the hope that sages saw, "Let him follow me."

By the blood our fathers shed, Reeking in a gory bed, By the great Immortal dead, On to victory !

Be this Freedom's call to earth, Mindless of whate'er their birth, Let all people shout it forth, Rouse the world to arms!

Here hath Freedom's sun arose, On the hearth-stone 'mid its foes, Flashing bright on ceaseless blows, Conflict and alarms.

Blades are crossed and red with gore, Let us rise as those of yore, From the mountain and the shore, And relight their brands.

Heroes sleeping 'neath the sod, Shall time waken unto God, When 'tis only His the rod, Then shall right abide.

He died in 1879, aged 65. Eleazer went to California at an early day, where he yet resides. Gilman B. has been for many years janitor of Bethany church.

Richard S. is the veteran of two wars. (See town military record of Mexican War and Rebellion.) At the battle of Chepul- tepec, Mexico, he was complimented by his officers for bravery in the storming of the fort. He was the first man. to scale the walls, and when handing down the enemy's flag, received a bayonet wound in the face, which scar he carries to this day, as he does also several others received in action. When a boy he was dubbed with the title of " Shack," which he is familiarly known by to this day. To give all of the narrow escapes which he has passed through would fill a volume. He was never " dared " but what he made the "attempt," regard- less of the result. The other two, Wm. and Joel, also reside in town. Jared died Mar. 1, 1859, in his 82d year, and his wife in Aug. 1877, in her 92d year.

Thomas married twice ; had 4 children by his first marriage-I son and 3 daugh- ters,-Job Dodge, the son, died a year since, in Illinois, leaving a large estate ;-- his second wife was Abby S. (Cady) Grant, by whom he had two daughters. He was for several years a partner with Silas C.

French, in the boot and shoe business. He died March 31, 1867, aged 78. His wife is now living, at the age of 79. He is credited as being the author of the quota- tion of "A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether." We are informed that the late U. S. Senator Jacob Collamer being informed of this, asked him for his pic- ture, which upon receiving, had a portrait painted from it, and placed it in the Na- tional Art Gallery at Washington, D. C.

GEORGE LANGDON,

fourth son of Col. James H. Langdon, was born in Montpelier in 1815, and died there Nov. 10, 1870, aged 55 years. Educated in the schools of Montpelier, and having received a handsome patrimony, he early in life married Miss Sarah Sumner, oldest daughter of Senator William Upham. Mrs. Langdon inherited the remarkable graces of her mother, and from the moment Mr. and Mrs. Langdon established themselves in a home, their gracious hospitality at once attracted the best society, not only of Montpelier but of the State, and from other States. Mrs. Langdon had the ad- vantage of experiences in the best society in the national capital, and thus with her qualities was admirably fitted to shine so- cially. But it was not in polite society alone that Mr. Langdon was distinguished. He had a genial and generous heart, and knew the blessedness of giving to the poor. The late Rev. Dr. Lord wrote of him as follows :

There are few of the prominent public men of Vermont who will not recall his genial presence and his modest and gener- ous courtesy and kindness. Placed by inherited wealth above the necessity of toil, and beyond anxiety, he has made the pleasant amenities and courtesies and hos- pitalities of life his business. He was as kind to the poor as he was hospitable to his own class associates. We have known him to drive in a cold, stormy day in win- ter, six miles, to carry to a desolate and aged widow, whose situation accidentally became known to him, a load of provisions suited to her necessities. His heart was ever overflowing with neighborly kindness, and his hand ever quick to assist in any of the troubles of those around him. Few men will be more missed from our social life.

FORBES CO BOSTON

George Langdon

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The tidings of his death will carry sor- row to many hearts, and few who knew him ,will not give the tribute of a warm and honest tear to his memory. The places that knew him will miss his accus- tomed face, and will mourn for one of their most gentle and welcome visitants, and his many friends and associates will never for- get that presence, now made sacred by death, which always brought with it a most agreeable and genial atmosphere.

MRS. JAMES R. LANGDON.

[A brief of her funeral sermon by Dr. Lord, as the sweetest description that could be given, from this the sweetest of his printed sermons. We regret we have not space for the beautiful discourse en- tire .- ED.]

" She hath done what she could."-Mark 14:3. It is a beautiful tribute to an af- fectionate woman. It was the simple ac- ceptance by the Son of God of a humble and fragrant nature which had bloomed out in hearty love for her Divine Lord. .

In this memorial service for one who has been the companion of " honorable women not a few " in this church and community, I may with propriety select these blessed words of our Saviour as most accurately descriptive of her character and work in life. I love not to lose from my sight the faces of my dear friends and parishioners. I love not to bid farewell to those endeared to me by a long and gentle ministration of kindness and help ; but if I must, . it is with delight I may think and speak of them in such words as were consecrated by our Saviour to be the perpetual memorial of those noble women who, how- ever reserved and quiet and domestic, .

have yet in their place . earned for themselves, by their sweet and patient de- votion, the generous applause of the Son of God : "they have done what they could." What is the work of women in this world as servants of the blessed Jesus ? Have they influence peculiarly their own? If they are unfaithful is any one else able to take their place, and make our societies, our homes, our churches more and more like Heaven? When I look upon such pure, gentle, unostentatious women as Mrs. Langdon was ; upon those beautiful, honorable Christian women, not a few, who have lived among us,

I cannot doubt how such questions will have their answer. Such women as have lived in this village as Christian mothers, wives and sisters, whose names are embalmed with the spices of their own modesty and purity and love, with the fra-

grance of their own faith and charities, give us some idea of the saintly work which Christ has given to women to do in this world, and of their surprising fitness to do it ; both to soften its asperities, to subdue its roughest and worst characters, and to carry the self-sacrificing ministry of the Son of Man into all of our human abodes. I love to think that our Saviour places the seal of his benison

on the qualities of spiritual sincerity and gentleness ; on the possible graces of a quiet Christian life ; on the offerings of self-denying love. She hath done what she could. She hath adorned her station with the precious graces of tenderness and love. This is the central and most de- cisive test of the excellence of all char- acter, especially of those whose lives seem, but seem only, to be confined to a nar- rower sphere than pertains to manly life, secluded within the walls of domestic care and duty and love. We all know how great loveliness and sweetness there are in personal offices of love. We are familiar with the supremacy of personal relationship and bonds. The per- sonality of affection just suits itself to our natural wants. A religion that did not provide for the exercise of the domestic and personal offices of love would lack hold on our human sympathies, and Christ has blessed the sex with which his incar- nated human life was alone positively affil- iated and related, by bestowing a peculiar honor upon the quiet duties of personal love. The kindness which watches over our earliest steps, the voice which di- rects our first prayers and songs, ' the love which surrounds home with the charms of a regained Paradise, and fills the air of the household with the scent of violets and lilies, and with the perfume of personal service to the sick, the dying and the dead : these are the qualities and offices that meet the full benediction of Christ's word.

Our Saviour had a very blessed personal relation with many noble women when he was here. His personal influence on the womanly hearts around him can be clearly traced as His work went on. She whom all the generations will call blessed, who is the only human medium of the assumption of our nature by the Infinite God, gave Him his first caress and received his last words of human love. What a wonderful relation ! In which her heart glowed with incomparable love, adding the sacredness of a religious feeling to the wealth of a mother's affection ; in which his heart beat with an unwonted pulse, adding the ten- derness of human dependence, gratitude and trust, to the sentiments of celestial pity and love. Sacred type of all blessed

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maternal and filial love ; which is ever di- vested of all the usual qualities of human passion and selfishness, and blends every- thing that is best and purest in the human with everything that is sweetest and holiest in the Divine. What her happiness must have been in the more than thirty years in which she had Him to herself as a deep wellspring of delight, watching over Him, waiting on Him, beholding His glory and believing that glad, prophetic hymn which her own lips had sung before He was born, as to "how her soul rejoiced in God her Saviour." And what a happiness there must have been in his long troubled heart for her sake, we have some glimpses in the words which broke from his dying lips to the dearest disciple and the legacy He gives to the beloved John, " Son, behold thy mother." The domestic life of Christ is veiled, but if that veil were lifted, doubt- less we should see how much his pure heart was strengthened by a ministry more sympathetic than that of the angels, how much a woman's hand soothed his spirit, and a mother's love solaced and helped his sorrows. We should see some of the blessed interchanges between the human mother and the Divine Son.

But not from her alone did He have the ministry of personal kindness. A few devoted, grateful women waited upon Him all through his journeys. They gave him their enthusiastic sympathy in his work until the close of his life, and when He finished his suffering career on the cross, " Many women were there beholding and ministering unto Him." Blessed were those daughters of Jerusalem, · who bewailed their King as he trod the wine-press alone. But did these women alone have the honor? The service of Christ was not their monopoly. They were the first fruits; they were examples

· not to be envied ; but to be imi- tated, by all their sisters who desire to know the unspeakable joy of Christian ser- vice, and they have been imitated. Faith works by love, and its power has not failed since "Holy women," · in all the relations of life, in the lowly offices of Christian ministration, have filled the houses which they adorned as wives, mothers and sisters, with the outpoured fragrance of the graces of Christ,

and refreshed the hearts that trusted in them. Many sons have crowned their heads with blessings. Their husbands have praised them in the gates of the city. They have made the deserts of this rough and arid life green as the land of Elim, and woven their precious golden threads through the whole fabric of society till it has brightened with the warmest and deep-

est colors. Eternity alone can measure the influence of a virtuous woman ; a true- hearted daughter ; a loving sister ; a faith- ful wife ; a devoted mother. Her price is above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts in her. She stretcheth her hand to the poor.

I need not say the memories I cherish of Mrs. Langdon have colored and im- pressed all these thoughts which I have spoken to-day. She was a Chris- tian wife and mother, who consecrated her life to her holy domestic mission. · She made her home fragrant with the per- fume of piety and love. .

The thanks of the poor she has blessed ; the tributes of the sick she has visited ; the sweetness of the charities she has bestowed throng to make the fading light of her evening tranquil and beautiful.

Mrs. Langdon has resided here 38 years She was the daughter of Mr. Charles Bowen, of Middlebury, whose life has no been unknown to us, and who, at his grea age, remains to mourn over his daughter and to look for the welcome she will give him to his long looked for home. She was married Dec. 22, 1836. Not long after, she united with the church whose welfare she has never for a moment for gotten. To those who die in the Lord, death is only the gate ; its iron side turned toward us, its golden side turner the other way. W. H. L.

Mrs. Langdon was Lucy Pomeroy Bowen born Sept. 29, 1814, at Northfield, Mass. and died Aug. 1, 1873. Her children were Lucy Robbins, born Apr. 10, 1841 ; Har riet Frances, February 2, 1845 ; Elizabeth Whitcomb, Apr. 6, 1847; James Henry Apr. 9, 1851.

THE GEORGE W. BAILEY FAMILY.

I think no couple have ever contributed t Montpelier more stalwart, energetic, suc cessful and popular men than did the lat Hon. Geo. W. Bailey and his wife, a sis ter of Hon. Abel K. Warren of Berlin They were both natives of Berlin, bu spent most of their active life in Elmore where their children were born, but, unt the senior Bailey's death, resided in Mic dlesex, on the border of Montpelier.

GEORGE W. BAILEY, JR., was the firs to depart, in early manhood. He ha adopted the law as his profession, wa Secretary of State for four years, which a tested his fidelity in that office, marrie Georgiana, daughter of the late Col. Thon

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as Reed, but was soon stricken down by consumption, dying in Montpelier, July 13, 1864.

CHARLES W. BAILEY was one of the firm of Bailey Brothers, active and shrewd business men of Montpelier, engaged main- ly in furnishing horses, cattle and sheep to Boston markets, where his attendance was regular, and by his fine personal presence and bluff but genial manners he was a fa- vorite. While attending personally to the care of sheep on a freight train at Essex Junction, he was instantly killed, Sept. 23, 1876. More than a thousand people honored him, when his remains were brought to Montpelier to be borne to his home. Mr. Bailey left a widow, two sons and a daughter. His age was 45.

J. WARREN BAILEY, the oldest of the brothers, was also a member of the firm for several years, and was also largely em- ployed in civil offices in the town, in which, as in his own business, he was very effi- cient. He died of a brief illness, April 21, 1880, aged 56. He left a widow and two daughters.

The Boston Fournal said :

He was a brother of T. O. Bailey of the Pavilion, a member of the firm of Bailey, Bullock & Co., commission merchants, Chicago, and of V. W. Bullock & Co., Burlington, Iowa, grain dealers. Mr. Bai- ley was in the grain business at Montpelier, a Director in the savings bank, and has held several town offices. He was univer- sally liked and was very liberal in the use of his large property. He was the eldest of six brothers, three of whom now survive nim, and was widely known.

The Watchman & State Fournal said :

Born in Elmore May 1, 1824, he was near the completion of his 56th year. About 25 years ago he came to Montpelier and engaged with John Peck in a general produce business in the store west of the 'arch." The following year Mr. Peck withdrew, and the firm of Bailey Brothers was formed by the admission of Charles Bailey,-a partnership that was destined :o achieve a widespread reputation for the extent and fearlessness of its operations and the combination of business acumen and high sense of commercial honor it displayed. In 1846, the brothers gave up the store and confined their operations to a general live-stock business. At the dis- solution of the partnership in 1872, each

continued to employ in distinct operations the comfortable fortunes their united ef- forts had secured. Five years ago Mr. Bailey engaged with V .W. Bullock, Esq., in the grain business at Burlington, Iowa, and about a year ago his operations in that direction led to the formation of the firm of Bailey, Bullock & Co., in Chicago, his brother, E. W. Bailey, Esq., of Montpe- lier, moving to Chicago to assume the act- ive management of the business of this company. In 1855, Mr. Bailey was mar- ried to Miss Harriet Guyer of Wolcott, who survives him with the daughters, Misses Ella and Clara. The funeral was largely attended on Saturday, the citizens, repre- senting every class of the community, form- ing an honorary escort to the cemetery. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. H. Hincks, assisted by Rev. N. Fellows of Trinity church. Among the mourning relatives was the venerable mother of the deceased, now verging on four score years, who has survived to fol- low to the grave the three eldest of her six sons, each dying under peculiarly afflicting circumstances. Mr. Bailey was distin- guished for the native keenness and pre- cision of his judgment in business trans- actions. It was eminently speculative, but tempered with an element of caution, that taught him to shun hazardous ventures. In this community and among his former associates his bluff ways and ready humor will be greatly missed ; and his name will long survive in local anecdotes, illustrating his readiness at repartee and power of pun- gent expression. In the loss of their nat- ural guardian and protector, the widow and daughters will have the unfeigned sympa- thy of this community, which will also ex- tend to the aged mother, and to the sur- viving sister and brothers the assurance of its participation in their sorrow.

A fact but little known is that Warren and Charles Bailey furnished the United States with horses for a regiment in the war for the Union. It was a gift worthy of millionaires, but they were not that, though wealthy, patriotic and generous.

Both Warren and Charles also very large- ly aided their brother,

THERON O. BAILEY, in constructing and furnishing the Pavilion, which has won rank among the very best hotels in New England, has made himself thereby widely famous.

The other brothers are Doct. James, residing in Ticonderoga, N. Y., and Ed- ward, who while retaining his business

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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 82

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