The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 84

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 84

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Dr. Clark was a man of more than or- dinary natural gifts, or he would never have accomplished what he did-left poor in this world's goods, crippled by his physical infirmity, and with but very limited op- portunities of education. In person he was 6 feet of stature and fine presence and great physical endurance. He was re- markable for his keen observation of men and things, and was rarely mistaken in his judgment. His genial manners, generous sympathies, and fund of anecdote, made him always welcome at the bedside of his patients, and contributed not a little to his

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success. He was thoroughly devoted to his profession, kept himself well informed of the progress of the science through standard medical journals, and was always ready to accept and try new methods. But his own experience and observation served him better than books. He compounded his medicines with little regard to received formulas, and more from his judgment in each particular case. Those best ac- quainted with him, greatly regret that he did not write out for the benefit of the profession the results of his large and varied experience.

As a man and a citizen, it is not too much to say that he was universally es- teemed-a man of public spirit, interested in every movement and enterprise that looked to the welfare of society. Though not a professor of religion till late in life, he started and superintended a Sabbath- school during his short residence at North Montpelier, was one of the earliest and. staunchest advocates of temperance, and was always urging improvements in meth- ods and opportunities of education. He spared no self-denial and sacrifice to give his own children advantages which were denied to himself, and in the same gen- erous spirit sought the welfare of others. He was for 12 years president of the board of trustees and chairman of the prudential committee of the Washington County Grammar School, and for many years treas-

urer of the Vermont Medical Society, of which he was an active member. He was too much given to his own special work to engage in political life, yet he yielded to the wishes of his friends, and served as representative of Montpelier in the Legis- lature in 1846, '47. He was not a public speaker, as he felt the need of proper , culture for this, but was esteemed as a very useful working man on committees. His judgment was always valued in practical questions of politics. One incident, how- ever, he was wont to recall with a good deal of satisfaction in later years. A bill for a license law was being pushed through the legislature, and was likely to pass, greatly to the regret of friends of tem-

perance. Just at the last moment whe an amendment was possible, Dr. Cla rose to his place without previous co sultation with others, presented a bri amendment, urged it home with a fe chosen words, and secured its prom passage by the House. A leading poli cian who had been interested in carryil the measure, rushed across the hall once, and said to him with much excit ment, "Your amendment has killed tl bill." "Just what I intended," was tl reply. He was warmly congratulated I friends of temperance at once and f years after on the defeat of a measu which he felt would have been attende with serious injury to the best interests the State.

The following tribute was rendered hi by his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Lord: "H life began with suffering, it closed in st fering, but its long intermediate years we filled with hard work, with brave labor irradiated by a warm, genial spirit, by d votion to the best interests of his fello men, with zeal for education, good mora and religion, by professional skill, fideli and enthusiasm. He received, as he er inently merited, the respect, confiden and love of all who knew him."

-From the Family

DEA. CONSTANT W. STORRS

was born in Royalton in 1801, came Montpelier in 1822, and from that tir until his death was engaged in mercha dise-more than half a century. In 18: he became a member of the First Congı gational Church, and in 1835 was elect one of its deacons-an office which he tri to magnify as long as he lived. For years he was treasurer of the Vermont L mestic Missionary Society. He was gre ly interested in religious matters, and bored incessantly in season and out season. Early in life he married a daug ter of Wyllis I. Cadwell, who bore him t sons and a daughter, the beautiful daugh dying when about to reach maturity. T widow and son survive. Dea. Storrs d Mar. 23, 1872. E. P. W

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HON. CHARLES REED.

BY REV. J. EDWARD WRIGHT.

Charles Reed was born in Thetford, Nov. 24, 1814, and died in Montpelier, after a sickness of less than three days, Mar. 7, 1873. He was the oldest child of Hon. Joseph Reed, and his second wife, Elizabeth Burnap, daughter of Rev. Jacob Burnap, of Merrimac, N. H., and sister of the scholarly Unitarian minister long settled in Baltimore, Md., Rev. George W. Burnap. D. D. Montpelier was Mr. Reed's home from 1827, when his father came here to reside. He pursued his pre- paratory studies at the Washington County Grammar School, entered Dartmouth Col- ege, and graduated in 1835. Among his classmates and intimate friends there was he late Governor Peter T. Washburn. He studied law in Montpelier, in the office of Hon. William Upham, and afterwards or 2 years in the Dane Law School, Har- zard University, where he received the de- gree of LL.B. in 1839. He was admit- ed to the Washington County Bar in 838, and in Sept., 1839, formed a partner- hip with Hon. Homer W. Heaton, which continued for a third of a century without change in the location of the office, being only dissolved by Mr. Reed's death. He narried Emily Eliza, eldest daughter of Ion. Daniel Baldwin of Montpelier, June ;, 1842, by whom he had five children ; wo of whom, Elizabeth Burnap, wife of Col. J. H. Lucia of Vergennes, and Maria Y., with their mother, survived him. Mrs. Lucia died, leaving husband and 3 hildren, Jan. 5, 1881.)

From time to time Mr. Reed's fellow itizens honored themselves in honoring im with positions of trust. He was cho- en justice of the peace for a number of ears ; was elected state's attorney in 1847, nd again in 1848, and was appointed reg- ster of probate in the latter year,-per- orming the duties of the office by deputy. For some 5 years he was one of the select- nen of Montpelier. In 1858, he was cho- en trustee and librarian of the State libra- y, and also a member of the Vt. Historical Society, in whose work he was deeply in- erested, serving as one of its curators, and

publishing committee, and also as its li- brarian. He represented Montpelier in the Legislatures of 1862 and 1863, and for the three following years occupied a seat in the Senate chamber. While in the Senate, he interested himself ardently in the institution of the Vermont Reform School, now located in Vergennes, and be- came chairman of its first board of trustees, which position he retained till his death. At the establishment of Green Mount Cem- tery in Montpelier, Mr. Reed was chosen one of its commissioners, and was re- elected to that trust, which he had held for many years, on the last day of his active business life. He was one of the four far-sighted men who advocated and secured that change in the school system of Montpelier, which brought the Washing- ton County Grammar School and the district schools into harmonious relations under the same board of management and in the same building; and he was repeatedly elected chairman of the united committees. In 1869, he was chosen a member of the Council of Censors, and in that capacity advocated extending the right of suffrage to women. Politically he was a democrat in early life, but from the breaking out of the rebellion, he took sides with the repub- lican party. His last illness was occasion- ed by a cold taken in the chilly air of the unwarmed State Library, while he was in- vestigating some historical topic. This was increased by exposure a few days later, at the March meeting, which hi's interest in Temperance Reform led him to attend ; and thus were developed, in a constitution originally strong, but weakened by over- work, the pleuro-pneumonia and conges- tion which ended his earthly career.

Mr. Reed was, first of all, a man of integrity. This appeared in his business relations with others, and won for him their utmost confidence ; and it was shown also in his faithfulness to his own convic- tions. He never seemed to stop to ask if the course contemplated would gain for him profit and applause or involve loss and unpopularity. Among those of a different faith, he adhered steadfastly to the Unita- rian views with which he was imbued in

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his childhood ; and, when opportunity of- fered, entered zealously into the work of establishing in Montpelier a church that should represent what he thought to be the truth in religious doctrine. He was among the foremost in the organization of the Church of the Messiah, and was inde- fatigable in laboring to promote its inter- ests. He acted with like decision, energy, and straight-forwardness in regard to the Temperance agitation, and the Woman Suffrage Reform.

He was also a man of marked public . spirit. With private cares that were by no means small, he undertook a great variety and amount of work for the general wel- fare-work for which he received little 'or no remuneration, direct or indirect. The value of the services he rendered to his town and State, in his devotion to educa- tional interests, the Reform School, the State Library, and the Historical Society, cannot be estimated in money, and can be appreciated in its full extent by very few. Rarely, indeed, does any philanthropist contribute so freely from his purse to char- itable objects, as did Mr. Reed lavish from the wealth of his time, and physical and mental strength, for the public good.

Further, he was ever loyal to his native State. In the words of another, "As a Vermonter, believing in Vermont and the genuine Vermont character, deeply inter- ested in the past history of the State, and its present prosperity, Mr. Reed will be · much missed. He was one of the no- blest and truest of loyal Vermonters. As an officer of the State Historical So- ciety he rendered invaluable service in getting up and putting in form for pres- ervation much of the early history. · The State has not another-if we except those who have been associated with him in this work, Hons. Hiland Hall and E. P. Walton-to fill his place."

In his chosen profession, Mr. Reed reached a proud eminence, (yet singularly without pride,) and gained a handsome property. H. A. Huse, Esq., a fellow- member of the bar, at one time his assist- ant, and later his successor in the charge of the State Library, said of him, in a

memorial sketch read before the Vermo Historical Society, " Charles Reed was true lawyer, taking pride in his professio and loving the law as a science where reason has her most perfect work, and b cause his knowledge of it enabled him to truly a counsellor to those in troub. Grounded by severe study in the found tion principles, his directness and the ii patience with which he viewed worthle and irrelevant matter made him a go pleader. His papers always gave him standing in court. Mr Ree on trial of a case, presented clearly court or jury the facts proved and the 1: applicable to them. This was done not the use of rounded periods, impassion gesture, or appeal to the emotional natu His imagination supplied him neither w facts not in the case, nor with the colori and magnifying power which often disto things from their true relation, and gil what is unimportant undue prominen But it was, I think, in the court of ch: cery, and perhaps still more in the supre : court, that Mr. Reed showed the qualit; most clearly that stamped him as onef the leaders of the bar. In the courif last resort the premises were fixed and changing, and from them he worked mt unerringly to the conclusion. The bf method of statement, the condensed ar - ment, had there their true sphere and - ways their due weight. While it was t given to him to charm by silvery spee it was given him to convince by the clo- ness of his logic. The clear-cut intell , trained by careful study, made him - valuable as a legislator. During his tin of service the laws passed received me careful scrutiny, and were more caref y framed from the very fact of his preser ; and much of the intelligible legislationf the last few years owes its shape to Is skill, as well since as during his occupay of a seat in the law-making body.

" In yet another direction was his ably as a lawyer called into activity. Bere 1858, the State Library was a mass of g- islative documents without form, and id of any use. A few law reports were in r- mingled, and formed a stock from wch

Luther Prof

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impecunious and conscience-lacking men plundered at will. To make this one of the best libraries in the Union in the De- partment of American Law, without large expense to the State, was a labor of years with Mr. Reed. His success, with the means at his command, has, I am sure, not been paralleled. The bar and bench of the county and State owe a great debt to him for the thoroughness of the work."

Charles Reed was no courtier, nor trimmer. He could not cajole, he could not flatter, he could not fawn and curry favor. His sincerity appeared often as bluntness, and sometimes gave offence. But those who were acquainted with him had in their minds an ever ready explana- tion of his occasional roughness of speech and manner, in the knowledge that they were dealing with an upright, downright honest man, who, under an exterior some- what hard, carried a heart throbbing with devotion to the welfare of all, a man of Roman firmness, and of Jacksónian wil- lingness to assume the responsibility in an emergency ; a man whose record, whether public or private, had always been sin- gularly free from stain ; a man whose very presence strengthened the worthy pur- poses of the timid and hesitating about him, a man whose

. ' Daily prayer, far better understood · In acts than words, was simply doing good."

JAMES G. FRENCH,

son of Micah French, of Barre, was born in Peru, N. Y., in 1824, and died in Mont- pelier, suddenly, Aug. 8, 1878. Employed for a while as a clerk, he opened a clothing store in Montpelier, in which he was quite successful. He was postmaster 8 years. under President Lincoln, and subsequently entered into the construction of the Mont- pelier & Wells River Railroad. He was also very energetic, and even daring, in real estate operations, and to him, more than to any one man, Montpelier owes the construction of its spacious and elegant stores. Mr. French married a daughter of the late Joel Goldsbury, of Barre, and she, with an only daughter, Mrs. W. T. Dewey, survive him.

LUTHER CROSS,

born in Swanzey, N. H., 1802, established himself in mercantile business in Mont- pelier in 1827. In the same year he mar- ried Miss Polly M. Day, of Woodstock, who bore him four children : Gustavus T., who died March 13, 1867, aged 33 years ; Luther Burnell, now of Montpelier ; Royal D., now in the West ; and Lucia D., now wife of Marcus A. Farwell, of Chicago. Mr. Cross was interested in politics, and personally very popular; hence he was often the Whig candidate for represent- ative in the old town of Montpelier, and always received more than his party vote ; but the town was so strongly Democratic that success was impossible. He was, however, a magistrate many years in suc- cession, and by the Legislature was re- peatedly elected sergeant-at-arms. He built three brick dwellings, which were the best in Montpelier in his day, and two of them are the best of the brick houses now. The three are the two houses on State street now occupied by Hons. John A. Page and B. F. Fifield, and the Cross homestead on Elm street. He also built the "Willard block " on Main, at the head of State street. He died, suddenly, Mar. 9, 1873, aged 71 years.

CHARLES AND TIMOTHY CROSS

came to Montpelier about the time of the advent of Richard W. Hyde, and with him started the first bakery in town.

CHARLES CROSS was born in Tilton, N. H., Feb. 13, 1812, and his wife was born an hour or two before him. He is highly esteemed, a staunch Methodist, and a liberal contributor to that church and its educational institution on Seminary Hill. He is still engaged in a large bakery and confectionary business with his eldest and well-known son, Levi Bartlett Cross.

TIMOTHY CROSS died some years ago. His house was destroyed in the last great fire, and his widow and children removed to Cambridgeport, Mass.

[To Charles Cross the Methodist church are also indebted chiefly for the fine wood engraving of their church building .- ED.]

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DANIEL BALDWIN

(BY REV. J. EDWARD WRIGHT.)

Was born in Norwich, Vt., July 21, 1792, and died in Montpelier, Aug. 3, 1881. He was the youngest of the seven children of Daniel and Hannah (Havens) Baldwin. His mother was a daughter of Robert Havens, of Royalton, whose house was the first entered by the Indians when Royalton was burned. He was orphaned before he was two years old, and the des- titute brood was scattered. He came to Montpelier in 1806, and remained till he was of age under the guardianship of his older brother, Sylvanus, a man of prom- inence and marked ability. With him he learned the carpenter's trade, availing him- self also of some brief opportunities for attending school ; but, from the time of attaining his majority for many years, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, with gratifying success. He relinquished these in 1848, to devote himself more exclu- sively to his duties as president of the Vt. Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of which he was the original projector, and in which he took the first policy, March 31, 1828. He was president of this Company from 1841 to 1874, and regarded with a well- grounded satisfaction the remarkable pros- perity and growth of the Company during his administration. While cautious and conservative, he was eminently progressive both early and late in life. In 1827, he led in the effort to establish salt works in Montpelier. "He was called again and again into the direction of the Bank of Montpelier and the Montpelier National Bank, and was a director in the latter at the time of his decease. He was among the first to advocate and further the build- ing of the Vermont Central Railroad, and agitated the subject from 1830 until the desired end was attained. He was also one of the first board of directors of the Vermont Central, but retained that position only a year, having always stren- uously maintained, in opposition to the Northfield interest which prevailed, that the route should be by way of the Wil- liamstown Gulf. As long ago as 1850, he was one of a committee of eight, of which

the Hon. J. A. Wing was chairman, wl raised a subscription, and procured at co siderable expense to themselves a surv of a route for a railroad from Montpeli to Wells River."* He was also one of ti originators and the general manager, du ing the early years of its existence, of t Montpelier Gaslight Co. "He was tov treasurer in 1828, and then again for consecutive years from 1835. . From 1837 to 1847 he was trustee of t ' Surplus Fund.' For many years frc and after 1837, he was the chief engine of the fire department. During the yea 1846 and 1847, he occupied the bench associate judge of the Washington Coun Court, but from 1850 on, with the exce tion of one year's service as lister, he ur formly avoided public office."* In ear life he held high position in the Maso1 Order. "He was connected with t Vermont Colonization Society during its active existence, a large part of t time as its treasurer, and then as its pre ident." * In politics he was a democrat during the rebellion a " war democra voting more than once for the republic candidate-and in religion he was e phatically a " liberal Christian," avowi deep interest in " Spiritualism," but co tributing generously to churches of varic; creeds, and joining most heartily w Unitarians and Universalists in the orga ization and support of the Montpel: Independent Meeting-House Society, f whose board of trustees he was chairm from the establishment of the board 1866 to the day of his death. In his vl he manifested his undying interest Montpelier, by bequeathing $2,000, to: used under certain conditions in secur a suitable water supply for the village.

He married, in 1820, Emily Wheelo grand-daughter of the first president f Dartmouth College. She died in 18 . A son and four daughters were born them, all of whom reached maturity ad were married ; but only two, the first ad second daughters, Mrs. Charles Reed ad Mrs. Marcus D. Gilman, have survid their parents. The society of their x grand-children was a delight to Jue

* Memorial Sermon by Rev. J. Edward Wright.

Daniel Baldiom

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Baldwin during the last summer of his life.

He was a man extensively known in the State, and universally esteemed for his probity, his sound judgment, his public spirit and his benevolence. Deliberate in planning and moderate in moving, he was yet positive in his decisions and energetic in his actions. A man of a peculiarly placid and even temper, and sustained by a Christian trust, he bore earth's trials with great calmness, and his declining years furnished the community an im- pressive illustration of what it is to " grow old beautifully." Though not free from all the infirmities which commonly attend old age, he was wonderfully vigorous in mind and body, and found life enjoyable down to his last day ; when suddenly his powers all collapsed, and with a brief struggle he passed on, leaving an honored name and a blessed memory. It is rare that a life is more entirely successful in both ts material and moral aspects. J. E. W.

[Lucia L., wife of W. C. D. Grannis, of Chicago, and daughter of Hon. Daniel Baldwin, died in Chicago, aged 28.]

From the records of Aurora Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M., we take the following :

IN MEMORIAM.

BRO. DANIEL BALDWIN,

Born in Norwich, Vt., July 21, 1792, Died at Montpelier, Vt., August 3, 1881 ; Aged 89 years and 13 days.

Initiated in Aurora Lodge, No. 9, at Montpelier, January 3, 1814 ; Passed January 31, 1814 ; Raised in Columbian Lodge, Boston, Mass., May 14, 1814. Affiliated with Aurora Lodge, No. 22, July 11, 1881.

Bro. BALDWIN was an old time Mason, one of those who passed through the fiery trials of the anti-masonic period, and that he was unyielding in his devotion to the fraternity is evinced by the fact that he and Wor. Bro. Joseph Howes op- posed to the bitter end the surrender of the char- ter of old Aurora Lodge, No. 9. In this, how- ever, he was unsuccessful, and the Lodge suc- cumbed to what was probably inevitable, and it was voted, Sept. 19, 1834, to surrender the charter.

He successively filled all the offices of the Lodge from that of Tyler to Worshipful Master, to which latter office he was elected June 26, 1820.

He was also a prominent officer in King Solo- mon R. A. Chapter, No. 5, and a member of Montpelier Council, R. & S. M.

Bro. BALDWIN was a just and upright Mason, ever generous and liberal in dispensing Masonic charity, and was always ready to whisper good counsel in the ear of a brother.

MEMORIAL ADDRESS Of .the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

At the first meeting of the directors of the Vt. Mu. Fire Ins. Co. after the death of Mr. Baldwin, Aug. 3, 1881, the Presi- dent offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :

Resolved. That we have learned with profound regret of the death of Hon. Dan- iel Baldwin, so long connected with this Company, and identified with the best in- terests of the town for three fourths of a century. We duly appreciate his eminent services as an officer of this company, and his usefulness as a citizen.

Resolved, That we extend to his family the sympathy of this Board in the loss of one who has so long been a kind friend and able counselor.

And a committee was chosen to prepare a memorial address to be read at the An- nual Meeting of the Company, which was prepared and read by Dr. HIRAM A. CUT- TING, of Lunenburgh.

" The Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company " is a name so familiar to every Vermonter, in fact, so woven into the af- fairs and interests of the people of this State, that when its originator, Daniel Baldwin, died upon the 3d day of August, in his 90th year, it sent a thrill of sorrow through the hearts of thousands. It was his foresight which planned a system of insurance that recommended itself for its cheapness, and won for itself golden opin- ions, supplying, as it did, the unfortunate with means to reconstruct their homes promptly when the fire-fiend had swept them away. Rightly has it been said of this company, " That it has clothed the naked, fed the hungry and supplied the destitute," and just was the sorrow for the departed man, for he was both the father and patron of this most beneficial associa- tion in our State. It was a happy inspi- ration which induced George Bliss, a can- vasser for the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, about the year 1818, to call upon Daniel Baldwin, who was tem- porarily stopping in Boston, for the pur- pose of soliciting his insurance. Mr. Baldwin was at that time a prosperous young merchant. He investigated the

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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 84

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