USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 7
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He had but two children, a son and a daughter ; the latter dying at the age of 26. Her death cast a blight upon the future life of the doting father; he mourned for her and would not be comforted.
As a citizen few inen ever numbered more personal friends. His refined and elegant taste beautified all with which he came in contact, and the beautiful village of Sandy- Hill still bears, and will for years to come, bear the impress of his cultivated taste.
The sudden death of Gen'l Clark while on business at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, spread a gloom over the whole community. His fu- neral was attended by a large concourse of citizens assembled from the towns and villages adjacent. It was truly a day of mourning, and the memory of the lamented dead will long remain green in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
" DIED-At Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, Gen. Orville Olark, of the village of Sandy-
* There is a vast deal more of information in the let- ters of D. W. C. Clark in regard to the Texas R. R. bus- iness, and work done there than given here, which we reserve for the promised paper ou Gen. D. W. C.
At the expiration of his senatorial terin, |Clark. Ed.
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Hill, Washington County, N. Y., on the 19th | in 1870) "was born in Mt. Holly, Vt. in June of March, 1862, of congestion of the lungs, aged ol years.'
The above announcement by Telegraph . .
A cheerful face, a gladsome presence, an animated and useful citizen has disappeared from among us. The untiring advocate of village improvement, the beautifier of the waste places, the adorner of neglected locali- ties. To him a tree in full verdure was a liv- ing presence, a shrub or flower a thing of beauty, and he has done more than any other man to scatter through our streets their atilu- ence of summer garniture. For long years he has moved among us the vitalizing and energetic principal of every active enterprise. His heart was the gushing fountain of all kindly feeling - his friendships were un- changeable-uts hand open as day to melt- ing charity-nis benevolence measured by huis wishes would have embraced the world.
Gen. Clark was indeed a remarkable man. With lew advantages of early education, lit- tle or no classical attainments, by persever- ance and self culture he ripened into respect- able scholarship. He entered the profession of the Law, and in a short period worked himself up to a prominent position, and stood at one time among the leading men of the profession in Northern New York. He was a good advocate and addressed juries with great power and success, and there lay his strengin. He was returned to the Senate of this State in '43 and then and there became a leader of one of the Democratic sections. He maintained through his whole Senatorial career a reputation for talents, skill and adroitness which gave him great influence. lle is the last but one of that noble band of brothers-the sons of Stephen Clark.
lle had his faults-who has them not ? Perfect purity and entire perfection exist not ou this earth. He had his faults, but they were dwarfed by the magnitude of his vir- tues, and lost sight of aud forgotten in the broad lustre of his good deeds. Of all the public men that old Washington has pro. duced there is not one whose life embraced a wider circle of devoted friends, or whose memory will be cherished longer ; and among all of ner honored names, there will be none enshrined higher in the affections of the peuple than that of Orville Clark.
C. ROGERS.
"Orville Clark"(writes, the Rev. - Homer,
1801. He removed in 1815, with his parents to Ohio. They stopped on the way, through the winter, at Oil Creek, Pa., where Orvino taught the winter school." This young school- master of 143 years " finding no difficulty in governing his school with large scholars much older than himself; the only scholars who resisted his authority being his younger brother, Homer, and Norman, an orphan nephew who lived with his parents." There were no advantages for education in that new country (then Portage, Ohio, where his father settled) but "he was most fortunate in having a superior instructor in his orother Lyman, who was an elegant and accomplish- ed scholar of fine literary tastes, extensive reading and a general knowledge of men and the affairs of the country and of life."
" After the death of his parents, in 1822, he left Ohio, went to Glen Falls, N. Y., and commenced the study of law with Messrs. Bruce & Hay. I think he could not have re- mained more than one year when he enterel Mr. Weston's office at Sandy Hill, witn whom he completed his studies of seven years, which was then the time required, and entered into a partnership with him, which continued while Mr. Weston remained in the practice of law.
Mr. Baker knows what his reputation was as a lawyer, politician, public speaker ; active in all business operations, a leading conser - vative legislator, a far-seeing comprehensive mind, refined, with cultivated intellect, and kind, generous nature."
He married Delia, daughter of Hon. Hen- ry C. Martindale of Washington Co., N. Y. They had a son (Asanel) and daughter (Minnie, or Minerva). The son is now liv- ing at Sandy Hill, N. Y.
From a letter of D. W. C. Clark (Gen.) then at Brandon, it appears Gen. Orville had a little dip into the Canadian Rebethon. He went at least by way of Burlington into Canada to offer his sympathy and aid.
" REV HOMER J. CLARK, D. D.,
one of the ministers of the Pittsburg Con- ference, now in session in this place* was born at Mt. Holly, Vt. Dec. 15, 1803. When he was 12 years old his parents removed to New Portage, then included in Medina Co., Ohio. They were members of the Congre- gational church, in which faith he was care- fully educated, and so decided was the mutlu-
* Sandy Hill, N. Y.
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ence of his early training, that, at the age of eight years, he experienced renewing grace. In his 17th year he was united to the M. E. Church, two years afterwards he was li- censed to preach, and the next year entered the Ohio Conference.
At the close of his first year in the itiner- ancy, he took a located relation for the pur- pose of attending college, and accordingly entered the Ohio University, where he pur- sued his studies with great diligence and suc- cess, and was graduated in 1829. Being re- admitted into the Ohio Conference, he was transferred to the Pittsburg Conference and stationed in the city of Pittsburg, and the next year was elected Professor of Mathemat- ics in Madison College, having also charge of the Methodist Society in Uniontown, the seat of the College. In 1831, he commenced ne- gotiations with the trustees of Alleghany College, then under the patronage of the Presbyterian Church, which resulted in the transter of that institution to the M. E. Church, under whose direction it has since had a flourishing and highly successful career. After preaching one year in Steubenville, Ohio, he was elected to the vice presidency of Alleghany College, and in 1836 elected. president. He continued in this office until 1847, when in consequence of ill health, he resigned and entered upon a superannuated relation for three years.
In 1850, having recovered his health, he was appointed to Alleghany City, and the next year to Pittsburgh. In 1852, he was elected editor of the " Pittsburgh Christian Advocate," and the term expiring in 1856, he was elected Presiding Elder of Pittsburgh District, which position he held until 1860, when he was appointed to his present field of labor-Steubenville District. He receiv- ed the degree of D. D. from Transylvania University in 1837. In the various relations which he has sustained to the church, as an educator, and as an executive officer and preacher, he has for many years shown him- self eminently trustworthy, invariably com . petent and abundantly successful. [Sandy Hill Herald.]
Rev. Homer Clark has been twice married; children : one son and several daughters. He is still living, (July, 1874) at Orville, Ohio, and reposes in his green old age in the fame of having been an eloquent Methodist preacher.
D. W. C. Clark writes to his mother, after 1822, from Sandy Hill, of the death of Eli- jah Clark, and in 1826, mentions also the widow of Elijah Clark as being or residing there. Elijah Clark (Mrs. Meech says) was an uncle of her husband (Asahel) brother of Stephen, his father, and that he had also another uncle, Timothy Clark, residing in that section of the country, and it was his
family that first drew the family of Stephen Clark that way.
We would also acknowledge indebtedness in these papers to Mrs. Delia M. Clark, and Mrs. Susan A. (Clark) Rogers of Sandy Hill, N. Y., and to Mrs. W. H. Barker, of Burling- ton, Vt., granddaughters of Stephen Clark .- Ed.
STEPHEN TUCKER was a prominent citizen. He was town clerk 4 years, and held many other positions of trust and honor. He was 12 years a justice of the peace, and was holding that office at the time of his death. He was an honest man, and an upright magistrate. He died Dec. 26, 1828, aged 64 years.
DEA. EDMUND BRYANT was one of the solid, substantial men of the town in its early days. He never sought political preferment, but rath- er shunned it; and yet he was often called to fill positions of responsibility in town affairs. He was most prominent in religious matters, and devoted his energies mainly to the interest of the Baptist church. He was one of its originators, its first presiding officer and its first deacon, and, through life, one of its main sup- ports. He died Dec. 19, 1839, honored and re- spected by the entire community, aged 71 years.
DEA. ISAAC DICKERMAN was many years a leading citizen of the town. Of him it may be safely said, no man ever enjoyed, in a greater degree, the respect and confidence of the peo- ple. He was for many years a deacon and one of the main pillars of the Baptist church. He was also often called to responsible positions in town affairs-as selectman, lister, &c. He was representative 4 years, and a justice of the peace some 10 or 12 years. He was emphatical- ly a man of peace, and his influence was always exerted to allay strife and promote harmony. He died Nov. 9, 1845, aged 69 years.
HON. NATHAN T. SPRAGUE was one of the prominent men of Mt. Holly, and for many years wielded a strong influence in all that concerned the town. He settled here in 1810, and enter- ed into the mercantile business, which he pros- ecuted successfully during nearly his entire res- idence in town. He eventually became a large landholder, and for several years carried on the farming business somewhat extensively. Ile held many offices of trust and responsibility in town. He represented the town in the legisla- ture 7 years-was delegato to the constitutional convention in 1828, and was a justice of the peace many years.
He accumulated a large property, and became
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the wealthiest man who ever resided in Mt. Holly. He removed to Brandon, Vt., in 1833, which town he has several years represented in the legislature, and since his residence there he has for several years held the office of assist- ant judge of the county court. He is still liv- ing in Brandon, at the advanced age of 85 years. (1871.)-[Still living, 1875-Ed.]
ABEL BISHOP was a noted schoolmaster in the early history of the town-was one of the first who taught school in town, and continu- ed to act in that capacity for 20 years. Не was representative 4 years, and for some years a justice of the peace. He left town in 1825 and removed to western N. Y., and whether now living or dead is not known to the writer.
Many others, though less prominent officially, : .deserve to have their names recorded as pioneers in the settlement of the town, who braved the toils and hardships of the wilderness, and con- quered homes for themselves and their descend- ants. viz. Thomas and Asa White, Joseph, Bixby, Abel Farwell, Job Todd, Aaron Horton Asa and Jesse Sawyer, Jonas Holden, Abel Foster, Edmund and James Tarbell, Enoch and Daniel Jaquith, Phinehas Carlton, Royal, John, George and Walter Crowley, Samuel Hosmer, Snow Randall, John Chandler, Wm. and Jacob Earle, William Graves, Isaac Fish, Joseph and Benjamin Frost, John Moors, Zac- cheus Prescott, Jacob White, John Randall, Je- thro Jackson, John and Samuel Russell, Hoxey Barber, David Chatterton, Pardon Crandall, Perry and Alex'r Wells. Nathan Doolittle, Seth Livingston, Elijah Davenport, Martin Cole, Thomas Davis, Joseph Kinnee, and probably others whose names have not come to the knowledge of the writer. Many of those above named, as well as those heretofore mentioned as first settlers, have childron and other direct descendants now living in town.
There are eleven farms in town which are still owned and occupied by the direct descend. ants of the original settlers. The present own- ers are as follows, viz. Alfred Crowley, grand- son of Abraham Crowley; Alvin Holden and Marvel J. Holden, grandsons of Jonas Holden ; Darius Horton, grandson of Aaron Horton ; Merritt O. Hammond, grandson of Jedediah Hammond; Mordecai Dawley, grandson of Perry G. Dawley, Sen'r .; William W. Foster, grandson of Abel Foster; Allen Ives, sou of Ebenezer Ives; Leumas Tucker, grandson of Stephen Tucker; Stillman Tucker, sou of Jo- seph Tucker ; Henry Smith, grandson of Ed- mund Bryant.
LONGEVITY.
The following named persons have died in this town, aged 90 years and upwards :
Hannah Crowley died Aug. 25, 1839, aged 9₺ years and 4 months; Royal Crowley d. May 8, 1856, æt 90 y. 9 ms ; Ichabod G. Clark d. Sept. 10, 1847, æt 93 y. ; Sarah Cook d. Aug. 25, 1861, æt 95 y. ; Hannah Dodge d. Oct. 10, 1852, æt 95 y. 8 ms .; Mary Foster d. Dec. 18, 1862, æt 100 y. 3 ms .; Sarah Holden d. April 23, 1856, æt 99 y. 3 ms .; Joseph Pollard d. Feb. 21, 1871, æt 91 y. 5 ms. : Eunice Priest d. Sept. 20, 1856, æt 90 y .; Silas Proctor d. Dec. 26, 1845, æt 95 y .; Alexander Wells d. Nov. 2, 1866, æt 91 y. 8 ms. ; Lucina White d. Sept. 1, 1845, æt 90 y.
Samuel Lander was the first adult person who died in this town. His death was caused by the accidental discharge of a gun set in a corn- field for the destruction of bears.
The first child born in town was a daughter of Amos Ives.
The first male child born in town was Perry G. Dawley, Jr., who is still living (1873) at the advanced age of 90 years, and resides within 50 rods of the place where he was born. Joseph Haskel, one of the early settlers, is still living, at the age of 93 years.
There are at present (1873) residing in town six persons over 80 years of age.
CASUALTIES.
In 1825 Mr. Lyman Dickerman, one of the early settlers; and a most estimable citizen, was instantly killed by being thrown from his car- riage-his horse taking fright while descending a steep hill. His age was about 60.
In 18- Silas Proctor, Jr., was killed by a falling limb, while felling a tree in the woods. The next year Judson Chilson, a young man, came to his death in the same manner.
In the month of April, 1852, Silas E. Cole was drowned in Randall's pond, in the north part of the town. HIe, in company with Miss Tamar Pratt, started out for a ride on the water in a small skiff : after rowing some 30 rods from the shore, by some unskilful management the boat was upset, and both were precipitated in- to the water. The accident was witnessed by people on shore, and Mr. D. L. Dawley, now hotel keeper at Hydeville, Vt., hastily threw off' his outer garments, and plunged into the water, and, at the imminent risk of his life, suc- ceeded in saving the young lady ; but Cole not being a swimmer, was drowned. He was about 22 years of age, and universally respected.
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Ir. April, 1853, a little son of Leander Derby, | over so far that the trucks nearly rested on the Esq., was found drowned in the flume of his father's tannery. He was 5 years old, and the only child of his parents.
In April, 1865, Mr. Charles Kimball, while engaged in throwing down an old building. was fatally injured by being struck on the head by. & falling timber, and died in about one hour. His age was about 42.
During the great freshet in October, 1869, while Mrs. Esther Bixby, wife of J. J. Bixby, was standing, in company with her little son, a few feet west of the bridge at the outlet of Ran- dall's poud, watching her husband and A. C.
· Randall, Esq., who were attempting to save some lumber, the ground suddenly gave way beneath their feet. and they were both precipit- ated into the seething current below, and car- ried rapidly down stream. The accident was witnessed by the two men, who immediately started to the rescue, and succeeded in saving Mrs. Bixby. After being carried some 30 rods Nearly every person in the car was more or less injured by scalding or otherwise. The engineer, the fireman, and one other man who was riding on the engine, were instantly killed, down stream, she had the presence of mind to seize hold of an overhanging bush, to which she clung till rescued by her husband. The boy was carried some 20 rods further down | and three others afterwards died from the effects stream and drowned. He was about 8 years old, and an only child.
On the morning of the 8th of June, 1870, a frightful railroad accident occurred in this town by which six men lost their lives. Some half mile westward of the Summit station is an em- hankment some 12 or 15 feet high. Through this is a narrow culvert for the passage of a small rivulet which makes down from the hills on the north. This stream ordinarily contains but little water, and in time of drought scarcely any: but it is capable of being swelled to a fierce mountain torrent, by a powerful rain : such a rain occurred the day and night preced- ing the accident.
solid road-bed, when the track sunk so that the engine was left at an angle of 45 degrees; the tender sank to the bottom of the chasm, and the express car was thrown. entirely over it, smashing the cab, and driving up to the very mouth of the fire-box-the hind truck resting on grade, while the forward end was some 4 or 5 feet below. The passengers were in the for- ward end of the car, and about midway was a light partition, in the rear of which was the express matter. As the car pitched into the chasm and struck the engine, the partition gave way, and barrels, boxes and bundles were precipitated down upon the people in the for- ward end of the car-at the same time the end utor in front was burst open, and the hot steam from the boiler came rushing into the car, blinding and scalding the passengers, many of whom were disabled by injuries or wedged in among the debris of the express matter.
of burns and other injuries, and twelve others were severely burnt, or otherwise injured, who finally recovered.
BY MRS. SARAHETT PACKER BULL.
REV. DANIEL PACKER,
Now residing in Mt. Holly, has held a prom- inent position in the Baptist denomination over fifty years-for 36 years pastor of the Bap- tist church in the town in which he resides. The simple facts, some of which I have gath- ered from his own lips, will be perused with in- terest by many.
Daniel Packer was born in Guilford, Ft., Sept. 23, 1786. His father was of English descent : though it may be added "that a member of the Packer family upon a late visit to Europe, found in Paris what he believed to be strong evidence of the French origin of this family." But this, to say the least, is very doubtful.
About 6 o'clock in the morning of the day named, a train consisting of an engine, tender, and one express car, containing about thirty passengers, started from the summit station, moving toward Rutland. The little stream, during the night, had become a torrent-the culvert became choked with flood-wood and His father was a man of mark. He married Molly Green, daughter of Joseph Green, a Bap- tist minister living in Leyden, Mass., and ma- ny of the principal families in Guilford claimed James Packer as their great progenitor, while his wife and mother of the subject of this sketch, was a lady superior to many of her dar, and instructed with great care her family in the du- drift, so as to seriously impede the passage of the water, which forced its way around the stone-work, washing out the base of the em- bankment, which was composed of sandy, grav- elly soil, for the space of some 20 feet, leaving a portion of earth above, and the ties and rails in their proper position, so that the engineer saw no trouble ahead. The engine had passed I ties and responsibilities of the Christian faith.
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And may we not conclude, that the Christian fidelity of the parents was, under God, the occa- sion of the early conversion of all their children. Thus was he early the subject of divine grace. Though my father did not publicly put on Christ at so early an age as some other members of the family, yet, when once enlisted, his whole soul and energies in whatever work presented itself were for the salvation of souls.
In the year 1807 he felt his duty to follow his Lord and Master into a watery grave, and at that time united with the Baptist church in Guilford, and went on his way rejoicing in hope. He also felt a deep interest in the spirit- ual condition of his fellow-men, and that it was his duty to stand on Zion's walls and proclaim a redeeming Saviour. But a profound sense of his unfitness, while the conviction pressed heav- ily, restrained him from making, for a time, his feelings known. " But," says he, "as I retired to my accustomed place for secret prayer, God brought me fully into 'the liberty wherewith Christ makes free,'" and he felt no longer doubring as to the character of his exercises, or bis duty publicly to magnify the grace which alone had wrought his deliverance from doubt.
had a young man here last sabbath to preach to us on trial-he was not right ; he did not give us gospel doctrine." He says, "I replied to him in this wise: it is not best to be in haste choosing for God's service." But the Deacon insisted he should remain over night, and they would have an evening meeting at his house. But he said to him, your people are so scattered it would be impossible to get them here : but they assured him of no failure on that ground, and he finally concluded to remain, and preach- ed to a well filled house. It being thanksgiv- ing week, they insisted he must remain through the week, and preach upon that day After much consultation, he concluded to do so, and remained even two weeks longer, and preached several times. it seems the hand of God was in the work, and he had found the part of the vineyard wherein he must labor. A com- mittee was appointed to consult with him. They did so, assuring him $ 100,00 a year, and a house for his family.
March 11, 1811, he returned with his wife tr this field of labor, and settled as their pastor The Baptist church at that time numbered only 23 members-but 12 resident members. July 2, 1811, a council was convened to ordain him The services were held in an orchard back of the hotel kept at that time by Dr. Clark. El- der Leland preached the ordination sermon. Dr. Jonathan Going gave the right hand of fel- lowship. Elders Harrington and Mucallah were present and took part in the services. There was an immense concourse of people present.
" The command was imperative; I dare not disobey. I disclosed to my wife my decision and my purposes. The burden was removed, and God was able to direct and support me." Though his advantages for literary attainments at that time were limited, he was obliged to cultivate the talant God had given him; con- sequently his labors were much more arduous ; but being a man of vigorous mind, resolute will Soon after this the seed sown began to spring up. The refreshing shower of grace continued through the summer, and fifty souls were added that season. The church walking in the peace of God, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were edified. and strong common sense, he was not easily foiled in his purposes. In the summer of 1810 he began to preach not only in the towns ad- joining, but in the town where he resided. Sometimes he held meetings in his father's barn in Guilford, as there was no meetinghouse In 1815 they erected a meeting-house at the north part of the town. The Lord immediately filled and sanctified their new house of worship with his presence ; and, with the many addi- tions and removals to other towns-for, within twelve months three churches were set off to other towns adjoining-an uncommon measure of the spirit of grace and supplication was pour- ed upon the church ; members were greatly quickened in their spiritual affections, and the standard of piety in their body generally much elevated. As a result the convicting and con- verting power of the Most High was signally manifested, and crowds of anxious sinners, for days in succession, pressed their way to the in that part of the town. He felt, however, that God had a nobler and broader field than opened for him in that place. Ilis great and generous heart extended its sympathies beyond his parental home, to minister to them whom God had in store for him. He came northerly, through Rockingham, stopped at Elder Balser's, who had a word of cheer and kind hospitality for the wanderer ; thence through Windham and Manchester, preaching at the last named place ; thence to West Dorset, where he spent the sabbath-so on through Danby and Wal- lingford to Mt. Holly. Stopping first at Deacon Isaac Dickerman's, he made known to him his mission. The good deacon says to him, "Wel mercy-seat, and each year brought forth its
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