USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1 > Part 43
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Dr. Johnson was a good family physician-a man of resolute purpose and strong practical sense. He practised medicine in Danby until the close of his life, which was in 1806, at the age of 54 years. He left 2 children : Hannah, m. Reuben Seley; and Betsey, m. Dr. Abra- ham Locke. Dr. Johnson was twice married : first to Sarah Hodges of Norton, Mass., who died in Pelham in 1781, and next in 1791, to Rebecca Galusha of Attleboro, Mass. She was a cousin of Jonas Galusha, fifth Governor of this State, and was a very active and intelli- gent lady. She died at the age of about 90.
JOHNSON, CAPT. WILLIAM, born in 1785, m. Sally, da, of Elisha Lincoln in 1806, and suc- ceeded to tlie homestead of his father. His wife died in 1870, aged 86. Capt. Johnson was a thrifty farmer, and also an excellent me- chianic. He was first a member of the Baptist churchi, but afterwards changed and became a Universalist. He was an officer of the State militia, and held a captain's commission. All speak of him as being an obliging and trust- worthy citizen-a man of kindliness of feeling,
KELLEY, AZEL, possessed in a high degree, the respect of his townsmen. He was long a deacon of the Baptist church. He removed at length to the State of New York, where he died at the age of 80.
KELLEY, STEPHEN has become one of the wealthiest men in town, being the owner of several farms.
KELLEY, WILLIAM W. settled at the Bo- rough in the marble business. He built a store and was engaged several years in mer- cantile business, and was for years one of the most active buisness men of the town. He now resides in Wallingford, where he re- moved some ten years since, and continues in the marble business. He is also the own- er of a good farm, one of the best locations in that town.
KELLY, HIRAM, was a deacon of the Bap- tist church, he moved to Ohio about 1855.
LAKE, WILLIAM, was a British soldier, and came from England, before the Revolu- tion. He was then but 9 years of age. He first entered the service as waiter, for his father Thomas, who was an officer in the British army. He finally deserted to the Americans, having been wounded in the | face by a buck shot. Soon after the war, he
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came to this town, and married Anna Bar- num, and settled. He died in 1850. His children were, Anna, Henry, John, Willard H., Mary, Betsey, Abigail and Sarah.
LAPHAM, NATHAN, with his brother David came from R. I. David soon left; Nathan although commencing poor became a large landholder; he also kept store at an early day and owned a saw mill. He was a Qua- ker member and always very simple in his dress and took great care of his own words and actions, he was held in estimation and died in 1846 aged SO: children, Anson, the youngest son, resides in Skeneatles N. Y. hav. ing accumulated an immense fortune, mainly in the leather business. He owns one of the finest residences in that vicinity. Nathan, a son of Joseph, lives in Peru, N. Y., and has been a State senator.
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LAPHAM, JESSIE, m. Elizabeth da. of Da- vid Griffith, and settled at the Borough in the mercantile business. He first entered the business with his brother Joseph, with whom he was connected for a number of years. Af- ter continuing the business here for some time, they removed to Troy, N. Y. where they remained in trade several years. Jessie then returned, and went into trade again at the Borough, in which he continued to near- ly the close of his life. The store in which he first traded, stood near the bridge on the north side of the stream. He afterwards erected a new store, near the present resi- dence of M. H. Cook. In 1824, he built the "stone store" now owned by William Pierce. He was very prosperous in business and ac- cumulated a large fortune the result of pru- dent management rather than lucky specula- tion. He was a large stockholder in the Western Vt. R. R., in the failure of which he lost quite heavily. He was also connect- ed with the Danby Bank, of which he was for several years president. Mr. Lapham was a man of natural talent and shrewdness, and a determined will, well calculated to lead in all matters in which he took a part. Ile was a friend of religion, efficient in con- tributing towards its support, active in build- ing up his town and society and estimable in all his relations : his loss was a public one. He died in 1863, aged 75. His widow is still living, and resides upon the homestead to which his sons resort each season, it being one of the finest summer residences in the State. The names of their children are
George who was drowned at the age of 14, Henry, Sophronia, m. A. R. Vail, and is now dead ; Silas, died young ; Daniel, also died young ; Oliver and Lewis, now dead. Henry m. Semantha da. of Jolin Vail, and residles in New York city, where he has long been engaged in the mercantile business, having acquired an ample fortune. Oliver is also a merchant, and lives in New York City.
LAPHAM, ELISHA, son of Nathan, m. Rho- da, da. of Joseph Button, and succeeded to his father's estate, and owned the farm where D. W. Rodgers now lives. He was also a merchant in company with his brothers, Joseph and Jessie, during his younger days, but finally settled in the farming business. He was ranked as one of the substantial men of the town, and filled various town offices. In 1850, and '51 he was elected County Sen- ator. He now resides at Granville, N. Y.
LEARNED, DR. ELI, m. Hepsy Crouch, and settled at the Borough. He came to this town a young man, and first engaged in the profession of teaching, in which he stood very high. He afterwards commenced the practice of medicine, which he continued here until his death. He had a large prac- tice and died about twenty years since.
LEGGETT, CHAS., came here in 1778, was one of the first school teachers in town. He removed to Chester N. Y. in 1806.
LEWIS HENRY, from Nine Partners, was one of the first settlers on "Dutch Hill." He was of Dutch descent. He was a weaver and butcher by trade, and was a great worker. There is a story told that he "moved a fam- ily, butchered an ox and spooled, warped and wove thirty-three yards of cloth in one day." He removed to the northern part of N. Y. where he died.
LEWIS, PETER, was another of the early settlers on Dutch Hill; a number of years one of the prominent men of the town ; a representative in 1783, '87, '89. He with his family left town over 20 years ago.
LILLIE, CAPT. ELIJAH, from Windham, Ct., came to Tinmouth in 1786; remained until 1816, when he came to Danby, and set- tled in the N. W. part of the township where his grandson Erwin E. now lives. His farm lay in four towns, Pawlet, Danby, Tinmouth, and Wells, and it was his first intention to settle on that part of his farm in Pawlet, where he commenced the erection of a house, but having been ordered out of town, as was
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customary in those days he concluded to change his location. He was a Revolution- ary soldier aud drew a pension. He was among those, who commenced with limited means. He was a courtly gentleman of the old school ; possessed of a good mind, prac- tical good sense and good habits, he secured the esteem of all who knew him. He held for some time a captain's commission in the state militia. He m. Anna Smith, who died in 1839, aged 77. He died in 1844, aged 87, leaving one son, Roswell, who settled in Tinmouth.
LINCOLN, JAMES, from Dorset, settled quite early at the Borough. He was a worker in marble here, before stone saw-mills were built, and was the first of whom we have any knowledge, to hew out grave-stones. His work is to be seen in nearly all the ceme- teries in town. He removed West many years ago.
LINCOLN, ELISHA, a soldier of the Revolu- tion, settled soon after the close of the war, remained a few years, and thien moved to Dorset. From thence, to Rupert, where he was killed by falling from a bridge in 1830, quite advanced in years. His wife died in 1841. Their children were John, Sally, Polly, Samuel, Newall and Harvey.
LOBDEL, DARIUS, from Nine Partners, set- tled here about the time of the Revolution. He was one of the proprietors of the town- ship, in 1763, one of the committee appoint- ed to " finish laying out the land" in the first division, in 1764 one of the committee to lay out a highway from Bennington to Danby. He was a blacksmith by trade, and the first who settled here, of whom we have any knowledge. He was a member of the Legis- lature in 1784. He died in 1796, aged 67, leaving three sons: Darius, jr., John and convenient. Jared.
LOBDEL, REV. JARED, was the founder of Methodism in Danby. He came from Nine Partners with his father, when quite young, and worked at blacksmithing, and also on the farm. About the year 1788, he married Miss Betsey Signor, and settled on " Duteli Hill." During his younger days, he was somewhat rough, and had acquired the hab- it of using profane language, having never been the subject of religious impressions ; walking one day in the garden, with his old- est daughter, Sarah, then but six years of age, he was heard to use a profane word.
Looking up into her father's face, she said "Papa, is it not wrong to swear ?" From that time forward, the father was a changed man. That expression coming from a little child, awakened in his breast emotions, which finally led to his conversion. Having re- solved on becoming a Christian, he was received as a probationer by the Methodist Church, and he became a zealous, consistent Christian. Through his endeavors a society or class was soon organized. He now began to prepare himself for the Ministry, and in 1794, was licensed to preach. The first Methodist church in town, was built about that time, chiefly through his labors. His efforts were attended with much toil and privation. Prayer meetings were established and held at private houses ; many sought and found the pearl of price. In 1796, he preach- ed his father's funeral sermon, after which he began to receive calls from adjoining towns to preach.
About that time also the far famed Loren- zo Dow visited this town. In his Journal of Sep. 18th, 1797, he says, "having travelled on foot the preceding week, about 90 miles, and preached nearly twice a day, I thought that something broke or gave away in my breast. I borrowed a horse, and proceeded from Wells to Danby. Whilst preaching in the chapel, my strength failed and I gave over, and brother Lobdel concluded the meet- ing." He was carried to Mr. Lobdel's house, where he was soon confined with a strong fever, which lasted him several days. As it was not a comfortable place for sick people, there being but one room in the house, and several children in the family, we are told that a bier was made, upon which Dow was carried several miles to another house more
In 1798, Mr. L. attended the New England Conference, for the first time, at Granville, Mass., where he was ordained deacon by Bishop Asbury.
He was never appointed on any circuit, as we can learn, but remained while here, a local preacher. He entered upon the sacred office, without a classical education ; but his strong native sense made amends in a great measure. From a strong tendency to doc- trinal discussions, he became very familiar with the views of theologians, and was an instructive preacher ; moreover he considered it his duty to know the religious condition
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of every person in his parish, and to give them such instructions as they might need.
His church in 1800, numbered about 70; several interesting revivals had taken place. He never joined the itinerant ranks, as his talent found ample room for exercise at home, and abundant stimulus to call it forth. His discourses were characterized rather by bril- liancy than depth of thought, and the tenaci- ty of memory and the fluency of speech were alike remarkable. His delivery was ardent, and the tones of his voice pleasing. Many years have passed away since the period of his ministry here, and yet I find some who still retain a vivid recollection of portions of his sermons, and the effects produced upon the congregation by them.
The Brandon circuit was formed about this time, and from 1804, there was circuit preach. ing here.
Mr. L. however, continued his labors here until 1832, when he removed to Plattsburg, N. Y., where he spent the re nainder of his days. We learn that during the latter part of his life, he disagreed with the established doctrines, or discipline of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and finally withdrew, and be- came an independent preacher, denominating himself a Christian or a preacher of the gos- pel. Upon what point he differed with the church, in which he had labored so long, we are not informed but there was some portion of the discipline which he could not conscien- tiously subscribe to. He was a genuine spec- imen of an old fashioned Methodist preacher, being influential and useful in his day, but to subsequent changes he never adapted himself. We regret that we are unable to give but a scanty record. Scenes of great interest in connection with the early struggles of Metho- dism, in which he was an actor, must have occurred, but it is already too late to gather them.
As a citizen, he was highly respected, his social qualities being of a high order. Of his character as a friend, it will suffice to say, that when his friendships were formed, they were generous and enduring. In the man- agement of town affairs, his name often ap- pears, and he leaves a good record behind, as having faithfully discharged his duties in all the relations of life. He died peacefully Aug. 23, 1816, at the age of 79. She who had been a devond wife, and sharer in all his trials, died Nov. 8, 1858, aged 90. Their
children were: Sarah, Cata, Anna, Eunice, Mary, Betsey, and Jared jr. Jared, jr., m. Huldah, da. of Daniel Parris, and settled on " Dutch Hill," where he resided a few years. IIe removed to the west partof Pawlet, thence to Peru, N. Y,. and from there to Saranac, where he died. His widow is still living at the age of 87. having wove since the 15th of June, 1868, 61 yards of cloth. They raised 15 children.
LOCKE, LIEUT. ABRAHAM, the oldest ances- ter of the Locke family who came to this town, was born at Acton, Mass., June 3, 1752, and in 1775 married his cousin, Han- nah, da. of Francis Locke. From a geneo- logical and historical record of the Lockes, written by John G. Locke, a member of the N. E. Historic Geneological Society, we learn that Lieut. Abraham Locke, was a son of Dr. Daniel Locke, who resided at Acton, and Warren, Me, and of the fifth generation in descent from William Locke of Woburn, Mass., who is the earliest known ancestor of the Lockes in America. (Dr. Daniel Locke was twice married; his first wife was Mary -, who died at Acton, July 2, 1756. There was a tradition, that she was from Scotland, and allied to a noble family, that her mother, whose maiden name was probably Stewart, was the widow of a Mr. Miles, and came to America with this daughter, and a son, John. That the mother's dress, jewelry and general appearance indicated that she was of more than common rank. After some years, she visited Scotland, returned again to Massa- chusetts, and the second time, for the pur- pose of recovering property she had abroad. sailed from Boston for Scotland, and after that was never heard from, and is supposed to have been lost at sea. From the history of Warren, Me., the following account is taken: "Dr. Daniel Locke came to Warren this year, (1763) from Acton, Mass., with two children, and marrying the widow of Hagh Scott, established himself on the farm owned by his wife. He was skillful in the treat- ment of sores, letting blood, extracting teeth, and in relieving such complaints as readily yielded to roots and herbs. It is said, also, that he laid claim to some knowledge in as- trology. He was a prudent, respectable man. Dr. Locke died at Warren, then St. George, in 1774, leaving his property to his son Abraham.)
At the death of his father, Abraham, in
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company with two other men, erected a mill, but soon after he sold the property left him by his father, and removed to Cambridge, Muss. He resided in Lynn in 1778, and pur- chased land there; in Mason, N. H., 1781 ; in Chester, Vt., in 1790, in Rockingham, 1793, where he resided until about 1815, when he came to Danby, and settled near the Borough. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and had a Lieutenant's commission. He acquired a handsome property, which he lost by the de- preciation of continental money. He died Feb. 28, 1820, aged 67 years and 6 months
His wife dred Mar. 12, 1816, aged 61. Their children were Abraham, Daniel. James, Betsey, Isaac M., John M., and William S. William S. was a physician. He studied his profession with his brother, Dr. Abraham, at Danby. He m. Julia Bucklin of Wallingford, and re- sided at Moriah and Crown Point. They raised a family of several children. Edwin O, their son is a lawyer by profession, and was elected District Judge of the Supreme Court of N. Y. in 1849. He resided at Little Valley.
LOCKE, DR. ABRAHAM, born at Cambridge, Mass., 1777. m. Betsey, da. of Dr. Adam Johnston, Dec. 3, 1804, and settled on the farm now belonging to G. J. Locke's estate Being of poor health, when a boy, he was confined to the house, and thereby acquired a taste for reading, and, having a capacity for learning, he became a well educated man, for one of those time -. At the age of fifty, he obtained a pretty good knowledge of the Greek language, without any assistance ex- cept what he derived from books. He stud- ied his profession with Dr. Campbell of Rockingham, Vt., and first settled in Dorset. He soon became acquainted with Dr. John- ston, who, when his health began to fail him, hired Dr. Locke to practice medicine in Dan- by, and was soon after married. He was a prominent physician here for over 40 years, and personally highly respected. In his usual deportment, he was moderately sedate, though with a vein of quiet humor running through his social character. Dr. Locke had an extensive practice, as long as he was able to ride, and this he continued until within a few weeks of his death, June 4, 1844, result- ing from an attack of paralysis. His wife dred 1841, aged 68. Their children are Galen J ; Rebecca G; Hannah L., and Sophia O.
LOCKE, DR. GALEN J. was born Oct. 2,
| 1806. He graduated at Castleton Medical College, in 1835; greatly devoted to his pro- fession, he acquired a knowledge of the med- ical and surgical science, and maintained through life the reputation of a good physi- cian. About the year 1840, he went into mercantile business, at the Corners, with Ira Bromly, but did not continue long. Being a man of talent and culture he was called upon to fill many stations of honor and trust. He was a member of two State conventions to amend the constitution ; of the Legislature one year ; town clerk 17 years; lister one ; several years town agent, and for many years a ju-tice of the pea .e. In all, he discharged his duties to universal acceptance. Bonds were not required of him but two years, and as a business man he had few equals; in the arrangement of his books and papers, perfect regularity prevailed. He was an ardent lover and promoter of knowledge, and every useful improvement ; familiar with all the popular subjects of the day, a ready writer, debater, and good conversationalist. Having been an active justice of the peace, for many years, his knowledge of the law was quite extensive, and his counsel was often sought. He was also considered a safe adviser in matters of every day life. Although not a man of pro- fessed piety, he was always attendant upon divine service, when circuinstances permit- ted, and contributed liberally towards the support of the gospel. He was well versed in all the political affairs of his day, a warm sup- porter of our free institutions, and a hater of oppression. He was also an earnest temper- ance advocate, and in his profession, few have been more admired. He died in 1866, being nearly 60 years of age, having prac- ticed medicine for 30 years. He was town clerk and treasurer and a justice of the peace at the time of his death.
MCDANIELS, JAMES, was born at Dover, Dutchess Co., N. Y., June 27, 1780. His father, Thomas McDaniels, emigrated to this country just before the Revolution, came to Danby and married Kuth, da. of Christopher Bull, and soon after removed to Dover, Dutch- ess Co., N. Y. He, being a man of letters, taught school until he was seized by the Brit- ish soldiers, one day, while in school, taken to New York, and was sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia, since which time no tidings were ever heard from hin. At the time his father was taken off by the British soldiers, James was
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in the school room, and well remembered the soldiers' coming in and taking his father away : this was all he ever could remember of his father. The family were left penniless, and James was cared for by his uncles. When at the age of nine, his mother traveled on foot back to Danby; taking him with her, and went to live upon " Dutch Hill" where her parents then resided, and was supported by them. She afterwards married Dennis Can- field. Here James lived during several years of his boyhood, working out by the day at farm-labor, for Abel Horton and others, re- ceiving but ten cents per day, but always saving what he earned, At other times he would peddle; on training days and other public occasions, a basket of ginger-bread made by his mother. He obtained a good education for those days, and taught school winters. - He wished to be employed about something all the while. When quite young he took two jobs of clearing land, and laid many rods of stone-wall. He labored at farm-work for many of the farmers in Danby, until about 17 years of age, when he was employed as clerk in a store by Henry Frost, for $100 per year. Here he remained about 2 years, in connection with which he labored upon the farm which Frost owned. and also at making potash. After that he was em - ployed by Daniel Folger, who had a store, and manufactured potash, near Barrett's fac- tory. James was placed in charge of the store and potash, and here learned his first lessons in the business, which in after life distin- guished him as one of the most successful merchants of his day. Folger was a man highly respected and considered honest in his dealings, but was very careless in keeping his books. People would bring him cheese, butter, grain, &c., and take their pay in goods, but wlien he came to settle with them, they still made up accounts of things, he had had of them, when they had received their pay. James told Folger that this was not the correct way of doing business, and soon es- tablished a regular system of debt and credit with each person. Although young he pos- sessed a mind of his own, and well knew how business ought to be done, so that he soon gained the confidence of the community. He was considered competent for any kind of business, and reliable for anything he under- took. In 1800, he took a journey to upper Canada, and remained there about three
months. when he came back to Danby, and labored on a farm by the job and by thy month. When about 19 he was employed again as clerk for Elisha Tryon, with who:a he remained several months. In 1801, Try- on proposed to sell MeDaniels a store of goods at the Corners, on time, and receive in payment such things as he received for goods, -butter, cheese, grain, &c., which was ac- cepted. Tryon was also, in the bargain, to purchase goods in New York for him 3 years, and take his pay in produce. They then made out a bill of the goods, amounting to about $1600, and Mc Daniels took possession of the same, giving no security whatever, to Tryon, as he was not of age. The first time Mc Daniels went to market, he made out a bill of such articles as he wanted to re- plenish his old stock, and Tryon went with him, introduced him to all his friends and customers, purchased the goods on his own ac- count, and charged the same to Mc Daniels. In a short time Mc Daniels' credit became good in New York, so that he was able to pur- chase his own goods, and by request Tryon was released from further assistance in par- chasing goods. After Me Daniels became of age, he gave Tryon his notes, on such time as he stated for himself, and in less than 2 years Tryon was paid up in full. Tois contract was a very successful one for Me Daniels. In about 2 years from the first purchase of goods Elisha Tryon had set up William & Abel Haskins in the mercantile business, in a store north of the Corners, but they were not suc- cessful in the business, and often called upon Tryon to assist them. In the fall of that year, Tryon came one night about 9 o'clock to the store of Mc Daniels, and asked him if he would purchase the store of goods occupied by William & Abel Haskins, saying that they "would ruin him and themselves too," unless something was done immediately. MeDan- iels replied that he would think the matter over, and let him know in a few days. Try- on would not take that for an answer, and made Me Daniels promise to go up that night, and look the store and goods over, and see if they could trade. Agreeable to his promise, Mc Daniels went up that night, examined the goods and finally purchased them. With the assistance of Jarel Lobdel, who was some- what acquainted with the business, the goods were inventoried in a few hours time; sev- eral ox-teams were ready at the door to carry
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