The history of Jericho, Vermont, Part 20

Author: Jericho, Vt. Historical committee; Hayden, Chauncey Hoyt, 1857- ed
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Burlington, Vt., The Free press printing co., printers
Number of Pages: 796


USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > Jericho > The history of Jericho, Vermont > Part 20


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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always went the serenity of Christian faith and the warmth of Christian love." Another estimate says: "His work at Bradford was eminently succesful; he was regarded by his parishioners as the most eloquent preacher of that region ; but the activity of his later years, in his oversight of home missions at the West, drew the admiring attention of his friends and the friends of missions. It was distinctively progressive and successful. It was a glorious seven years' campaign, fittingly crowning a de- voted life."


*Eugene J. Ranslow. Congregational; b. in Georgia, Vt., Oct. 21, 1842; son of Rev. George Washington and Anna M. (Parmalee) Ranslow. Educated in Underhill Academy, Mid- dlebury College 1866, and Auburn Seminary 1869. His college course was interrupted by a year's service, 1864-1865, in the U. S. Navy; ordained 1869. Pastorates, Swanton, 1869-75; Wells River, 1875-88; Swanton again 1888-1909; later he preached summers at Underhill and Jericho, Bristol and Danville, and winters at. Seabreeze, Florida ; m. Ellen Eliza Kingsbury, sister of Rev. John D. and Fred L., May 11, 1869; four children sur- vive; m. 2 Miss Cynthia Laura Marvin. He d. May 28, 1914, at Seabreeze, Fla.


His father, Rev. George, preached for 50 years and his maternal grandfather, Rev. Simeon Parmalee, for 60 years, mak- ing a continuous ministry of 155 years in the family. "He was a versatile man, of ready address on platform or in pulpit, wield- ing a trenchant pen, and commanding attention on matters of public interest by his flashes of wit and keen retort. He was skilled in agriculture and at times extensively engaged therein. His army experience brought him into intimate relations with his comrades."


CHAPTER II.


LAWYERS. 1


The following lawyers as far as has been learned, were born in town or lived here during a part of their early life:


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Charles T. Barney, b. Jan., 1859; son of Truman B. Barney ; now at Ada, Oklahoma. (See Barney family).


*John D. Bicknell, b. 1838; son of Nathaniel and Fanny (Thompson) Bicknell, and older brother of Dr. Fred T. He taught successfully in Wis. and Mo .; studied law and practiced in Mo .; conducted a party overland to California; practiced in Los Angeles ; m. Dec. 26, 1866, E. Maria Hatch ; d. 1911.


*Thomas Chittenden, b. here 1788; grandson of Gov. Thomas Chittenden. Graduated U. V. M. 1809; merchant here 1813; lawyer, farmer, lived in Granville, O .; d. at the home of his son at Benton, Wis., April 20, 1868.


Washington Spencer Cilley, b. here June 26, 1840. Fitted for college under Rev. S. L. Bates, entered U. V. M. from Jericho and graduated 1867 ; took lawyer's degree at University of Mich. 1869. Address: 1015 Sixteenth Ave., S. E., Min- neapolis, Minn.


Alric O. Colton, b. 1851; son of Frank and Submit (Has- kins), Colton. Educated in Cal .; located in San Francisco.


Hamlin Eastman, now in Nebraska.


Andrew J. Hale, son of Stephen Hale; at Beatrice, Neb. (See Hale family).


James J. Leary, b. July 22, 1871 ; son of Moses and Catherine (Cassidy) Leary. Educated at Johnson Normal and a law school in Boston; is a judge at Turner's Falls, Mass .; m. Mar- garet Moran of Amherst, Mass .; no children. (See Leary family).


Matthew G. Leary, brother of James; b. here May 5, 1873. Studied at Green Mountain Seminary, Waterbury Center ; taught school; studied law with C. F. Clough at Waterbury and with Farrington and Post, St. Albans; admitted to bar 1899; practiced at Richmond till 1902, since in Burlington; State's Attorney for County 1902-04; represented Burlington in Legislature 1908; secretary Democratic State Committee 1908; a Roman Catholic; past chancellor and present grand Knight, Knights of Columbus ;


1


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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.


m. in 1905 Maude E. Gleason of Richmond; two children. (See Leary family).


*Aaron Burr Maynard, b. Peru, Oct. 22, 1816; came here when a boy, fitted for college at Jericho Academy, entered U. V. M. in class of '40; taught select school at Corners; was ad- mitted to bar in '42; practiced in Richmond and Detroit, Mich ; was U. S. District Attorney ; m. Julia Edmunds, sister of Sen- ator Geo. F. Edmunds ; d. at Romeo, Mich., July 24, 1891.


George N. Nay, b. Milton ; son of T. G. and Clara M. Nay (See Nay family).


Cornelius S. Palmer. Born in Underhill, Nov. 2, 1844, son of Jonah Ferris and Chloe (Mead) Palmer. Educated at Un- derhill Academy. Admitted to Vermont Bar, 1870; read law with L. F. Wilbur; practiced law in Jericho previous to 1882; Sioux Falls, S. D., 1888-1901; 1904-1912 member of the law firm of Palmer and Foster, Burlington. Mr. Foster dying in the latter year, Mr. Palmer has continued his practice alone. He was States Attorney Chittenden County, 1876-7; represented Jericho in the Legislature, 1880; assistant U. S. attorney for Dakota Territory, 1882-4 ; associate justice of Supreme Court of Dakota, 1884-8 ; member of State Senate, South Dakota, 1896-7 ; has been judge of the City Court, Burlington for five years and resides in that city. Judge Palmer was a private in Co. F, 13th Vt. In- fantry and was in the battles of Gettysburg, Fairfax Court House and Stuart's Raid in 1863. He m. in 1870 Annie R. Fassett of Jericho, who d., 1901. They had two children: Chloe E. (de- ceased) and Louie A. In 1905 he m. Mary K. Marshall of New York City. Judge Palmer is an eloquent speaker and a highly respected citizen. (See Palmer Family).


*Bradley B. Smalley, b. here Nov. 26, 1836; son of Judge David A. Smalley. When four years old the family moved to Burlington ; studied law with his father and was admitted to the bar in 1863; from 1861 to 1885 clerk of U. S. Courts in Ver- mont; from 1885 to 1889 and again in 1893 Collector of Cus- toms; in 1874 and 1878 representative for Burlington in the Legislature; member of Democratic National Committee from 1873; and from 1876 member of National Executive Com-


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mittee; one of World's Fair Commissioners for Vermont; di- rector of Central Vt. R. R. for a time; m. June 4, 1864, Caroline M., dau. of Hon. Carlos Baxter, of Burlington; five children ; d. Nov. 6, 1909.


Ralph Wilbur, b. 1879; son of L. F. and Mercy Jane Wil- bur; resides at Portland, Ore. (See Wilbur family).


CHAPTER III.


PHYSICIANS.


These are either natives on residents here in early life. De- tails at hand in regard to some of them are meagre.


*Bertrand J. Andrews, b. here Jan. 11, 1850; son of Samuel A. and Rachel M. (Woodruff) Andrews. Attended Bellows Free Academy, Fairfax, and Franklin Institute, Franklin .; C. V. station agent at Bolton three years and at Richmond eleven years ; graduated U. V. M. medical '85; took post-graduate work in N. Y. '85-'86 and practiced in Richmond three years ; supt. Mary Fletcher hospital '89-1914 or 25 years and 7 months; became blind in 1905; was secretary and treasurer of the medical college '93-1905 ; m. Angie F. Baker of Northfield, Sept. 24, '89; one son, B. Fletcher ; d: at the hospital Apr. 12, 1915.


*Edwin W. Bartlett, b. here Dec. 20, 1839; son of Elias and Eliza (Wheelock) Bartlett and brother of Homer and Joel; in class of '65 at U. V. M., a non-graduate; M. D. in '66 at U. V. M. Medical; studied in Europe '68-'69; practiced at Milwaukee, Wis .; eye specialist ; professor in Milwaukee Medical College ; m. in '74 Helen F. Ball; five children; d. Sept. 11, 1913.


*Homer L. Bartlett, b. here Oct. 17, 1830; older brother of Edwin W .; attended academy at Bakersfield; M. D. from College of Physicians and Surgeons, N. Y., '55, having also studied medi- cine elsewhere ; assistant in Kings County Hospital. In '56 fought yellow fever scourge at New Utrecht; from '57 successful practi-


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tioner at Flatbush, L. I., consulting physician to Kings County Hospital ; specialist in contagious diseases ; public spirited citizen initiating enterprises; delegate from American Medical Society to Medical Congress in London 1881; prominent Mason and writer and lecturer on Masonry; author of "Sketches of Long Island"; in '59 m. Margaret L. Scott of Cooperstown, N. Y., who d. in 1876, leaving four children; in '88 m. Harriette F. Moore of Belfast, Ireland; one daughter by this marriage, Eliza L., 82 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y .; he d. Feb. 3, 1905.


*Fred T. Bicknell, b. 1842; son of Nathaniel and Fanny (Thompson) Bicknell; moved with his parents to Wis. when a boy; enlisted in Co. A, 23rd Wis. Vols. and served through the war, participating in a score of battles, including Vicksburg; en- tered Univ. of Wis. in 1865; graduated Rush Medical College, Chicago in 1870; began practice at Neosho, Mo .; post-graduate course in N. Y .; practiced at Panamint and Los Angeles, Cal., where he was a leader in his profession ; was one of the founders of Cal. Hospital; m. in 1872 Henrietta Cooper of Lake Mills, Wis., and after her death m. Carrie E. Fargo of Lake Mills ; one dau .; d. 1915.


Rufus W. Bishop, b. Apr. 4, 1856; son of Daniel B. Bishop; graduated at U. V. M. '77 ; studied at Bonn, Vienna, Paris, Lon- don ; took degree of M. D. at Berlin; professor at Northwestern University ; then at Chicago Post-graduate Medical School; con- nected with St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago; has written medical monographs.


George D. Buxton, b. Dec. 5, 1873; son of George C. and Martha A. (Conklin) Buxton ; attended Burlington Business Col- lege ; bookkeeper and stenographer for Dr. W. Seward Webb at Shelburne nearly ten years ; graduated at U. V. M. medical, 1905 ; special course at N. Y. hospital; is practicing at Proctorsville ; member of county, state and American medical societies; health officer ; m. June 14, 1906 Veronica Nichols of Burlington; one child living.


*Loren Chamberlain, b. here about 1840; son of Ezra and Lavina (Ford) Chamberlain ; studied at U. V. M. Medical ; prac-


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ticed in Richmond and d. there some thirty years ago; m. Mrs. Josie (Rhodes) Jones; no children.


Eli Edwin Graves, b. Sept. 9, 1847; son of Daniel H. and Lusetta R. (Nash) Graves; Essex Classical Institute; graduated U. V. M. Medical '68; practiced since in Boscawen and Pena- cook, N. H .; physician at Merrimack Co. Almshouse 17 years ; necrologist of N. H. Medical Society many years; member of American Medical and other medical societies ; m. Dec. 18, 1872 Martha A. Williams of Essex, Vt., two children living, one, Dr. Robert John, b. June 22, 1878, a graduate of Harvard 1900, and Harvard Medical 1904; is practicing in Concord, N. H .; is m. and has three children ; the other, Katharine L. m. Henry C. Rolf and resides in Penacook.


*Allen Hazen, b. May 12, 1867; son of Rev. Austin and Mary (Carleton) Hazen ; fitted for college at Jericho Academy, Essex Classical Institute and Burlington High School ; graduated U. V. M. '88; taught in Cheshire, Mass., '88-'90; was with Berk- shire Life Insurance Co. '90-'92 ; graduated College of Physicians and Surgeons, N. Y. '95 ; physician at N. Y. City Hospital '95-'96; practiced in N. Y. '97-'03 ; was medical inspector public schools '97 ; medical examiner with Mutual Life Insurance Co. '98-'03 ; d. Nov. 17, '03; unmarried.


Robert Hazen, b. Dec. 2, 1872; brother of Allen just men- tioned ; fitted for college at Mt. Hermon, Mass .; graduated U. V. M. '96, U. V. M. Medical '98 ; physician Boston City Hospital '98- '02 ; has practiced at Thomaston, Ct. 1902 to date; m. 1904, Helen C. Gates ; two children.


*Edward P. Howe, b. 1835; son of Dr. George and Mary P. Howe; graduated at Albany Medical College ; practiced about ten years at Underhill Flats, then at the Corners; d. July 1, 1898.


*Harmon G. Howe, b. Sept. 3, 1850; son of Lucien B. and and Clara (Galusha) Howe; practiced in Hartford, Ct., where he attained eminence in his profession; he was killed by a col- lision of trains at Stamford, Ct., June 12, 1913. (See Howe family).


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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.


Frederick Lucas Kingsbury. (See list of ministers).


*Joseph Byron Kingsbury, b. in Braintree July 29, 1834; came with his parents, Joseph and Eliza S. (Whitcomb) Kings- bury, to Jericho when six years old; engaged in farming at Ran- dolph four years 1865-69, but, turning from that to medicine, graduated at Dartmouth Medical in '71; post-graduate work at Harvard; practiced at Holbrook, Mass., till his death, March 24, 1906; m. in 1859 Elizabeth Julia Eastman, dau. of Amos East- man of Jericho; four children : Mary, who m. Prof. Fred Lincoln of Boston Conservatory of Music; George Byron, who graduated at Dartmouth 1889 and has the care of the commercial depart- ment of the high school at Hartford, Ct .; Albert Eastman, who also graduated at Dartmouth in '89; and Nellie.


Edward Stephen Lane, b. here Oct. 1, 1866; son of Edgar H. and Ellen (Pierce) Lane; educated under Prof. Cilley and at Burlington High, Vermont Academy and U. V.M. Medical, where he graduated in '93; has practiced at Bridgewater and now fol- lows his profession at North Ferrisburg; m. Sept. 11, 1894 Iola A. Mallory of North Ferrisburg, who d. April 29, 1914; three children : Mabel Ellen, Edward Harold and Grace Marion.


Patrick F. Leary, b. March 21, 1867; son of Moses and Catherine (Cassidy) Leary ; graduated U. V. M. Medical in 1890; in practice at Turner's Falls, Mass .; m. Emma Batten of Tur- ner's Falls; two children living.


*George Lee Lyman, b. Feb. 23, 1818; son of Daniel Lyman ; graduated U. V. M. '41 ; taught in Burlington in '41, Hinesburg '44-'47 and '55-'56, Clarenceville, P. Q. '48-'49; in business at Charleston, S. C. '50; received M. D. from Pittsfield Medical School; practiced medicine '58 till death, which was in Jericho, June 4, 1863 ; gave master's oration ; wrote article on Jericho for Hemingway's Gazetteer. (See Lyman Family).


George B. Packard, b. May 9, 1852; son of Cyrus and Melissa Packard and brother of Seth M. of this town; graduated U. V. M. Medical '74; engaged in hospital work; practiced in Hartford, Ct., awhile, then went to Denver, Col., where he con- tinues medical work ; m. June 6, 1883, Carrie Sanborne of Spring-


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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.


field, N. Y .; children : Robert G. and George B. Jr., both physi- cians, and Ruth E., graduate of Wellesley.


Clifford A. Pease, b. July 8, 1874; son of Frank W. and Ellen M. Pease, Burlington High School; graduated U. V. M. Medical '99; house surgeon at Mary Fletcher Hospital 1900; post-graduate work at Vienna ; instructor in neurology and medi- cine U. V. M. ten years ; now instructor in surgery ; in practice in Burlington; attending surgeon to Mary Fletcher and Fanny Allen Hospitals ; division surgeon for Rutland R. R. Co .; mem- ber of several lodges; m. in 1911 Mary S. Stranahan of St. Albans.


D. J. Sheehan, b. Feb. 21, 1879 on the Bolger farm; son of John and Nora Sheehan ; at the age of six moved with his parents to Craftsbury, where he afterward attended the academy ; grad- uated St. Laurant College 1900; received M. D. from George- town Medical 1904; interne at Providence Hospital, Washington, D. C. 18 months; has since practiced in Lowell, Vt.


Bingham H. Stone, b. Feb. 21, 1875; son of Isaac C. and Eliza (Bingham) Stone; studied at Oberlin Academy ; graduated U. V. M. '97 and U. V. M. Medical '99; physician in Burlington ; State bacteriologist ; director of Laboratory ; pathologist for Mary Fletcher Hospital ; professor of bacteriology and pathology, U. V. M .; m. March 25, 1899, Jean E. Nichols ; one daughter, Katharine.


Jesse Thomson, b. Aug. 20, 1819; son of Jesse and Nancy (Humphrey) Thomson; studied at Castleton; gave most of his active life to farming at Morristown Corners; since about 1890 has resided with his son in Rutland; m. Mary Wheelock. (See Thomson Family).


Jesse E. Thomson, b. here Nov. 22, 1853; son of Dr. Jesse and Mary (Wheelock) Thomson; attended U. V. M. and grad- uated from University of City of New York '78; practiced in Cabot and Jericho, and since '82 in Rutland; address 101 Wales St.


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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.


CHAPTER IV.


TEACHERS.


This list is intended to include Jericho boys and girls who have become teachers and professors in the higher institutions, or who within recent date have served several years as teachers in common schools. Some who have taught awhile are spoken of in the lists of other professional men.


Mary E. Adrien, dau. of Thomas and Ellen (Reddy) Adrien. Has taught 18 years in town, 20 in all. (See Reddy family ).


Florence E. Bicknell, dau. of G. Clinton and Adelia (Rice) Bicknell. Graduated at Burlington High School. Teacher in Chicago Latin School. Student in University of Chicago.


*George Blackman, b. Nov., 1818, son of Pliny and Lucinda (Wheelock) Blackman ; graduated U. V. M. 1838; degree of M. A. 1844 ; went south 1840; taught in New Orleans 1842-55; later in Miss .; in San Francisco in '75 and in Pearlington, Miss., where he d. Mar. 22, '82.


Dessa C. Bolger, dau. of Luke B. and Kate (Leary) Bolger. Graduated Jericho High School 1908 and Johnson Normal School 1909; teacher in primary room, Jericho Center Graded School.


Helen Bolger, dau. of Luke B. and Kate (Leary) Bolger. Graduated Johnson Normal School 1905; teacher in grammar room, Jericho Center Graded School.


Lynn A. Brown, son of Oliver and Ellen (Williams) Brown. Graduated Oswego Normal 1903; has taught in town; is now teaching in Conn. School for Boys, Meriden, Conn.


*Buel Clifton Day, b. April 17, 1867; son of Buel H. and Mary B. Day. Fitted for college at St. Johnsbury; graduated U. V. M. '88; principal Craftsbury Academy '88-'91 ; student at Columbia Univ. '91-'92; assistant secretary Vt. Senate '92 ; sup't. Easthampton, Mass., schools, '92-'96; at Berlin and Jena '96-'97 ;


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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.


sup't. Boston Parental School '98; conducted sanatorium in Colorado; d. Mar. 30, 1910. (See Day family).


Josephine Fay, dau. of Ellery C. and Louise Wright (Fay). Graduated Burlington High School, also attended Salem, Mass. Normal; teacher at Essex Junction ; m. Archie Rugg 1915.


Anna Fitzsimonds, dau. of John and Sarah Fitzsimonds. Graduated Burlington High '05; teacher at Stowe.


Grace Fitzsimonds, sister of Anna just mentioned. Grad- uated Randolph Normal, '06; teacher in Burlington ; m. Thomas Moran 1915.


Mrs. Jennie W. Hart, attended Mt. Holyoke two years; taught Essex Classical Institute four years; Milledgeville, Ga., one year ; Vergennes one year ; Burlington High two years ; three terms at district school and two terms at select school, Jericho ; m. Hiram S. Hart in 1871 and after his death in 1884 she took a course in nursing and followed that occupation ; taught in Straight View Univ. New Orleans in '91. Has since resided in Jericho ; librarian of town library and a public spirited citizen. (See Warner family).


Chauncey H. Hayden. (See Hayden family).


Tracy E. Hazen, b. July 4, 1874; son of Rev. Austin and Mary J. (Carleton) Hazen. Fitted for college at Mt. Hermon, Mass .; graduated U. V. M. 1897; student at Columbia 1897- 1900, receiving A. M. there in '99 and Ph. D. in 1900, holding University Fellowship in Botany 1898-1900; curator Fairbanks Museum, St. Johnsbury 1900-01, assistant in Botany Barnard College, Columbia Univ. 1902-03; tutor in Botany 1903-06; as- sociate.professor.


Mrs. Maud H. Hoskins, dau. of Henry C. and Ella (Green) Hurlburt. Graduated Johnson Normal 1902; taught in town; wife of Edward W. Hoskins ; is county sup't. of schools at Castle Rock, Colorado.


George Byron Kingsbury, b. May 29, 1863; son of Dr. Joseph Byron and Elizabeth (Eastman) Kingsbury. Gradu- ated Thayer Academy, Braintree, Mass., '85; and Dartmouth


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College, '89; M. A. in '92; taught four years at Wesleyan Acad- emy, Wilbraham, Mass .; head of commercial department of High School, Brockton, Mass., and principal of evening school there. Since 1906 head of commercial dep't. in High School, Hartford, Conn .; in '96 m. Edith H. Leonard of Brockton, Mass.


*Jedediah Lane, Jr., b. at Salisbury, Conn., Dec. 10, 1769; son of Jedediah Lane, one of the first settlers and Phebe (Stephens) Lane; first college graduate from Jericho. Gradu- ated Dartmouth 1794; began to read law, but infirm health drove him into mercantile pursuits; from this he turned to successful teaching ; m. Betsey Post in 1800; d. Feb. 2, 1849.


Mrs. Ellen W. Mann, dau. of Edward S. and Harriet (Kingsbury) Whitcomb. Taught in Jericho, Underhill and Williston; m. Warren Mann, a merchant in Randolph; two dau .; has been sup't. of schools here. Resides in Huntington, L. I.


Mrs. Mary Leary Maurice, dau. of Moses and Catherine (Cassidy) Leary. Taught in town; m. Walter Maurice. Re- sides in White Plains, N. Y.


Mrs. Evaline (Ford) Nealy, dau. of Addison M. and Julia (Mansfield) Ford; m. Irvin M. Nealy 1906. Has taught 80 terms. (See Ford family).


Mrs. Lena (Whitton) Rice, dau. of John P. and Evaline (Pease) Whitton ; m. L. C. Rice 1898. Teaches at the Corners. (See Whitton family).


Emma Luella (Lane) Votey, b. Aug. 13, 1860. Fitted for college at Burlington High; entered class of '83 U. V. M., re- maining two years; studied music in N. Y. and Burlington '82- '85. Taught music ; m. Prof. J. W. Votey of U. V. M.


*Byron Olin White, b. July 17, 1848. Fitted for college at Essex; graduated U. V. M. '73; Prof. of Natural Science Dickinson Seminary, Pa., and Western College, Io .; ass't. chem- ist Vt. Experiment Station 15 years; to Whittier, Cal. 1905; d. there July 20, 1909.


PROF. JOSEPH S. CILLEY.


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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.


PROF. JOSEPH S. CILLEY.


By H. B. Chittenden.


Among the names of leading citizens of Jericho that of Joseph S. Cilley stands out prominently. He was born in Hop- kinton, N. H., in Dec., 1815. When Joseph was a small boy, his father removed to Jericho, Vt., and settled on a small farm on Lee River, where he spent his boyhood with but few educational advantages. He spent his days following the plow and perform- ing the other duties incident to farm life, and his evenings, often far into the night, in studying mathematics, and Latin and Greek, and without an instructor he thoroughly mastered algebra, geometry, and all of the Latin and Greek required for admission to any of the New England Colleges, and the thoroughness of his work is attested by the high standing of the students he sent to Yale and other colleges. His early ambition was to become a lawyer, and, in order to obtain means, he commenced teaching while quite young. When he was 24 years of age he married Albina Crane, which step probably changed the whole course of his life. Not long after his marriage he went to Ohio, where he taught for a short time, intending to study law later, but finally decided to return to Vermont and make teaching his life work. For a time he with the assistance of his wife taught a select school in a house formerly occupied by Joseph Kingsbury. Here was laid the foundation of what was afterwards called Underhill Academy. He remained in Underhill until 1852 when he went to Underhill Center, where he taught successfully for five years, the school at times numbering over 120 pupils. In 1858 he was called to Williston as principal of the academy there, which position he successfully filled for ten years, building up a large school and fitting students for nearly all of the New England Colleges. While he was in Williston the University of Vermont gave him the honorary degree of A. M., in recogni- tion of the valuable work he was doing in the preparation of students for college.


In 1868 he was called to Brandon as the first principal of their graded school. After thoroughly grading the school he remained as its principal for some ten years, there doing perhaps


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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.


some of the best work of his life. After leaving Brandon, he returned to Jericho, the home of his boyhood, and purchased a pleasant home, intending to retire from his chosen profession. But after a few months he tired of his life of ease, and con- ducted a private school in his own house for several years, thus ending his work where he had begun, in a private school. Here many grandchildren of the pupils of his earlier days came to get the benefit of his large experience and his vigorous but salu- tary discipline.


Mr. Cilley was a man of rugged character and strong will, a veritable Puritan in his characteristics, but under a somewhat austere and stern manner was a tender and lovable nature, and to those who knew him best he was a most enjoyable companion and friend. For several years he was president of the Chittenden County Teachers' Association of which he was one of the founders. Under his leadership the association did excellent work in giving to the teachers of the county a higher conception of the teacher's vocation. His addresses at the meetings of the association were always strong and inspiring. As an educator Mr. Cilley ranked among the first in the State and in length of service surpassed all of his associates in his profession, having taught continuously for over 60 years. A fitting close to this brief story of Mr. Cilley's life are the closing words of his obitu- ary, written by the Rev. A. D. Barber, a long time friend, "An active brain and sturdy body kept him at his chosen profession until his last year, and a well spent, honored life was his reward on earth." "He had faults as do we all, but no one will gainsay . our words, when we say a strong grand character, and a good citizen has gone home, who always used his teachership as a sacred trust, a high commission from Heaven."




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