The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 103

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press
Number of Pages: 1066

USA > Vermont > Washington County > The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer: > Part 103

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).

In the spring of 1843, he went to Ohio, which was then considered " far West." For 3 years from the spring of 1846, was with F. & T. R. Taylor, building a fork- factory at Brasher Falls, N. Y., putting in

the machinery, and making and selling forks and hoes, and Jan. 1849 was married to Roxana Sophia Taylor, daughter of the senior member of the firm. The next spring he purchased a stock of drugs, medicines, groceries, dry goods, etc., and engaged in business with others, and in outside operations of butter, cattle, horses, etc. ; in 1856 sold out to his partners, and for 10 years kept an office as justice of the peace, and business connected with the office ; held several town offices ; was post- master during President Fillmore's admin- istration, and was 4 years justice of the sessions, or assistant judge for the county ; in 1856 he sold his interest in Brasher, and removed to Northfield ; formed a part- nership with his brother, C. A. Edgerton, in the mercantile business, and has since resided here ; has been village and town treasurer, 2 years one of the selectmen ; 4 years one of the trustees of the savings bank, and as a business man has been suc- cessful. He is in religion, a Congrega- tionalist. He has one son, Charles Darwin Edgerton, a graduate of Dartmouth, class of 1878.

CHARLES A. EDGERTON, ESQ.,

born in Potsdam, N. Y., son of James H. Edgerton, came to Northfield in the Spring of 1847, and worked at the mechanical business several years. In 1855, the Union Store Division, No. 678, was organ- ized, and he was appointed agent, and managed it until it closed in 1857. In the Spring of 1858, he commenced mercantile business in Union Block, with L. H. King, the firm, Edgerton & King, doing a good business in a general way until the sum- mer of 1860, when they dissolved, Mr. King taking a store In the new block east of the Universalist Church, and Mr. Ed- gerton keeping the store in Union Block until 1866, when he formed a partnership with his brother, O. D. Edgerton, who moved to Northfield from Brasher Falls, N. Y., the firm being known as Edgerton Brothers, who continue to do business at the present time.

Mr. Edgerton was town clerk 1865-75 ; several years treasurer of the Vt. Mfg. Co., treasurer and superintendent till the com-

PS. Branford

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pany's shops were burned, Dec., 1876, and has been a director of the Northfield National Bank since Jan. 13, 1874, and Vice President since Jan. 9, 1877, and has been a director in the graded and high school since its present organization, 1873.

He married Harriet A. Newcomb, of Waitsfield, and has 2 children.

HALSEY R. BROWN,

born in Burke, taught school winters from the age of 15 to 21, when he went to Be- loit, Wis. for 1 year ; returned to Burke, and engaged in merchandise 11 years ; then farmed 2 seasons ; was representative 1866- 7, receiving all the votes cast but one ; filled a number of offices in town; came to Northfield in 1868; was with Rufus Young 3 years in the Paine Block, in the grocery and dry goods business, after, went into company with Andrew Denny, now carrying on an extensive business of store-keeping, tannery, milling, and in the lumber trade, one of our most prosperous firms in Northfield. He has been 8 years a steward in the Methodist Church here, and since the demise of Joseph Gould, superintendent of the Sunday School. Be- fore leaving Burke, he was without excep- tion selected to conduct funerals, and is employed frequently in the same business in Northfield.

LESTER MARTYN,

now living at the Depot village, [1878] retains his recollection of the early history of Northfield to a good degree. He taught school when a young man, was of indus- trious habits, and well liked as a citizen and neighbor. He remembers hearing the report of the big guns at Plattsburgh, Sept. 11, 1814. News came that yolun- teers were wanted, as the British were out in great force, and a number of men from Northfield, like Cincinnatus of old, left their business at home and hastened to Burlington, where they were to cross the Lake, but before they arrived information was received the battle had gone in favor of the Americans, and they returned to their homes rejoicing.

his life for his country. He was born in Williamstown in 1840, enlisted in 186r in Company J., 5th Vt. Vols., and was mor- tally wounded in the battle of the wilder- ness. He came home to Northfield, lived near 7 months, and died in 1864.

DEA. NATHANIEL JONES,

from Claremont, N. H., built the two-story house on Water street now owned by John Willey. He was a justice of the peace, man of good abilities. He raised 7 chil- dren : Roys, George, Elisha, Henry, Cyn- thia, Nathaniel, Orena.

JAMES N. JOHNSON, ESQ.,

born in Northfield, Sept. 4, 1833 ; devel- oped scholarly tastes when quite young, and a fondness for politics and public speaking. His advantages for an educa- tion were limited to a few terms of district school, and about a year at Northfield Academy, in 1851-52. He taught school with good success a few years, studied law with F. V. Randall, at Northfield ; was admitted to the bar of Washington county in 1854; went to Chicago in 1856, and engaged in the law and collection business with Cornell & Jameson, till into 1860; returned to Northfield ; has since resided here, practicing his profession.

HON. PHILANDER D. BRADFORD was born in Randolph, Apr. 11, 1811. His father, John Bradford, was a native of Kingston, Mass., born Dec. 26, 1765. In early life he removed to Alstead, N. H., where he married Miss Lucy Brooks, Jan. 9, 1799. Subsequently he came to Ran- dolph, where he resided until his death. Nov. 19. 1814. Four years later, upon the death of Mrs. Lucy Brooks Bradford, Philander D., the youngest of 6 children, went to Alstead, N. H., to live with rela- tives of his mother, but at 15 returned to Randolph, and entered the Orange County Grammar School, where he received his education preparatory to the study of the medical profession. At 20 he commenced the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. Austin Bradford ; in 1833, graduated at the Woodstock Medical School, then a branch of Middlebury College, and in 1850, received the degree of A. M. from the

He married Mrs. Mary Flint, of Wil- liamstown ; they had one child, Emma O., and one adopted son, James R., who gave | University of Vermont. He practiced his

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profession in Braintree, Randolph and Bethel, until 1854, when he removed to Northfield, where he has since resided, with a good practice.

In 1853 and 1854, Dr. Bradford was elected to the State Legislature by the Free-soil party of Randolph, and was a prominent member of that party when in its infancy. And when others forsook their free principles and joined those who elected Robinson and Kidder, Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, Dr. Bradford remained true to his convictions, and la- bored zealously for the cause of human freedom. In 1854, he was elected com- missioner of insane, and re-elected in 1855. In 1857, he was elected Professor of physiology and pathology in Castleton Medical College, and continued with the same until its suspension in 1862. In Dec., 1862, he was commissioned by Governor Holbrook, Surgeon of the 5th Regt. Vt. vols., but was compelled by ill-health to re- sign his commission in March following. In 1862, '63 he was elected a member of the Vermont Senate, also President of the Vermont Medical Society in '63. In 1860, he was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Vermont, and in 1861, was at the head of the Grand Divis- ion of the Sons of Temperance of Vermont. He was elected trustee, also Professor of Physiology, in Norwich University in 1867 ; and was a member of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the United States, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in 1875-76. He early threw the weight of his influence into the scale of Temperance-is a worthy "Good Templar," and foremost in every- thing that promises blessings on our race. He is a capital presiding officer, and by his good humor and happy adaptation to circumstances, makes even a crowded as- sembly orderly and attentive. Dr. Brad- ford was married to Miss Susan H. Edson, daughter of John Edson, M. D., of Ran- dolph, in 1835, by whom he had one daughter, Miss Ellen E., now the wife of George W. Soper, Esq., of Northfield, who is postal agent over the Central Ver- mont railroad.

1865, and in May, 1867, the Doctor mar- ried Mrs. O. W. Moore, widow of the late Hiram Moore, Esq., of Sharon.

HON. JASPER H. ORCUTT,

seventh son of Samuel M. and Mary B. Orcutt, born in Roxbury ; moved to North- field, March, 1849, and from 1848 to '58 was most of the time in the employ of the Vt. Cen. R. R., constructing buildings and in other mechanical work.

In 1858 he entered the mercantile busi- ness with Freeman Page. In 1864, bought out Mr. Page, and carried on the business about a year alone ; then was in trade with A. E. Denny 4 years ; they built the store where Denney & Brown are in business ; in 1870, sold out with Mr. Denney and bought an interest in the l'aine Factory property ; from that time has been en- gaged in manufacturing slate, lumber and strawboard, is now interested in the Adams Slate and Tile company ; clerk and super- intendent. Mr. Orcutt was village trustee several years, deputy sheriff six years, con- stable and collector of taxes 2 years, high sheriff of Washington county 2 years ; representative 2 years, county senator 3 years ; has been selectman, auditor, justice of the peace, enrolling officer during the rebellion, is one of the trustees of the Northfield savings bank, postmaster from 1869 to -; and was chairman of the building committee of the Graded School Academy. He has been twice married, and has two children. His mother is liv- ing in Northfield, with her sons, and is the oldest inhabitant, being in her 96th year. (1878.)

HON. HEMAN CARPENTER,

born in Middlesex, July 10, 1811, was fitted for college at the Washington County Grammar School at Montpelier, studied law with the Hon. Wm. Upham, and was admitted to the bar at the November Term of the Washington County Court, 1836, and came to the " Factory Village," Northfield, the first of December following, and com- menced the practice of law. He was ad- mitted to the Supreme Court of Vermont two years after, and to the District Court of the United States in 1842; was State

Mrs. Susan H. Bradford died Oct. 15, | Librarian 4 years, from 1832 till '37, and

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removed the State Library from the " old State House " to the new, numbering and cataloguing all the books therein. He was superintendent of schools, and devot- ed from 10 to 25 days in examining teach- ers and visiting schools each year, giving his services to the town, and held other minor offices. He was elected to the legislature for 1847-48, and introduced the " Homestead Bill" for the first time, and pursued that measure until it was en- acted into a law. He was made judge of probate for 1849-50; appointed on Gov. Eaton's staff in 1847, with the rank of colonel ; was selectman for 1852-53; ap- pointed receiver of the South Royalton Bank in 1857; was State's attorney for Washington County for 1865-66 ; was trus- tee for the United States deposit money for 1851-52, and elected to the State Sen- ate for 1870-72.

He procured the charter for the " North- field Academy" in 1846, raised the sub- scription for building it, paying more than any other man except Gov. Paine, was secretary, treasurer and trustee of the in- stitution, was one of the executive com- mittee from its organization down to Apr. 18, 1868, when he resigned all of said offices, having completed the education of his children at said school; was a promi- nent man in his denomination, president of Goddard Seminary from 1868 to '76, when, by reason of poor health, he resign- ed that office, having paid liberally and generously for its establishment, and on resigning the office of president, received from the trustees a very complimentary resolution.

He was foremost in establishing the graded school in Northfield, gave liberally towards Norwich University, and educated his children in a manner creditable to him- self and advantageous to them. In 1860, the University of Vermont conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts.

He became a voter in 1832, and identi- fied himself with the " National Republi- can " party, and has remained faithful to its principles ever since. He has attended 45 State Conventions of his party, 40 of

which he attended in 39 successive years. He was a delegate from Vermont to the Republican Convention at Philadelphia in 1856, which nominated John C. Fremont. He attended the two National Conventions which nominated Gen. Grant. He was the marshal for Washington County at the " Log Cabin " Convention at Burlington in 1840, and president of the State Conven- tion at Rutland in 1870 which nominated Gen. P. T. Washburn for Governor. Being a positive man, he was never in doubt as to his support of men or measures.

He also taught school in the Center Vil- lage in the winters of 1833, '34, being hired by Mr. Dryer by reason of ability to govern a turbulent school that had been very disorderly for a few winters, and the scholars were brought into good subjec- tion and discipline by him, so that for many years the school felt the influence of his teaching and government.

Mr. Carpenter is a firm believer in the final restoration of all human intelligence to holiness and happiness in God's own good time. He has been a delegate, vice president and president of the Universalist State Convention for many years, and in 1877 it passed the following resolution :

Resolved, That the thanks of this Con- vention be tendered to the Hon. Heman Carpenter for the able and efficient manner in which he has executed the office of pres- ident of this Convention for several years past, and for the urbanity and good spirit he has manifested toward all the members of that Convention.

When Mr. Carpenter came to North- field there were but 14 houses in the " Fac- tory Village." He has borne his part manfully in all the positions he has filled by the suffrages of his fellow citizens, bear- ing always his share of the burdens.

Mr. Carpenter married Harriet S. Gil- christ, of Chelsea, Feb. 14, 1838, who was born in Goffstown, N. H., Dec. 24, 1816. They had 4 children : George Nathaniel, Caroline Sophronia, Jason Heman, Abigail Fidelia.

Mrs. Carpenter died June 21, 1865, and Judge Carpenter married his present wife, Mrs. Betsey S. Edgerton, Oct. 16, 1866, at Burlington. She was born in Berlin,

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July 20, 1822, and was the widow of John H. Edgerton, and daughter of Solomon Nye.

JAMES CARY BARREL THAYER,

born in Braintree, Aug. 10, 1824; fourth son of Dr. Samuel W. Thayer, came to Northfield, and became clerk for George B. Pierce about 1840, and has since, except a few months in 1848, been a resident of this town. In 1848, he became clerk for H. H. Camp; was in partnership with him I year, and wentinto the clothing business, which he has since followed, and has been treasurer of the Northfield savings bank since it commenced operations in 1869; in religion is an Episcopalian ; has been twice married ; has 4 children,

REUBEN M. MCINTOSH,

born in Bethel, 1823; was brought up a farmer, but when of age learned the daguer- rean art, and practiced in and about his native town. In 1853, he moved to North- field, and worked in the first daguerrean saloon established in this place. From that time to within a few years he worked at making pictures in the daguerrean, am- brotype, and photograph process with marked success. Latterly he has made a specialty of taking stereoscopic views, and among the noted places he has visited are the Ausable Chasm, Mount Mansfield, and Black River Falls in Cavendish, taking a great variety of scenes that commend themselves.

ROSWELL CARPENTER

came to Northfield when the country was very new, not far from 1787. He was from Charlestown, N. H., married Louisa Larkins of Rockingham. They had four children : Elvira, Louisa, Roswell, Ursula ; all born in Northfield.

Mr. Carpenter, it is said, was a good dancer. So Col. George Cobleigh and Adolphus Denney, Esq., loved to " trip the light fantastic toe in the mazy dance," and took great delight in parties. Proba- bly there was no scientific violining in those days, but a good deal of fiddling.

health, and remained 2 years; is one of the charter members of the Vermont State Eclectic Medical Society, was its treasurer 27 years, its president 1 year, and is also a member of the National Eclectic Medical Association. He is married, and has 4 children.

SIMON EGGLESTON, born in Middle- town, N. Y., came here in 1793. He worked for Judge Paine in his factory 21 years, and for the Governor 16-a boss- spinner much of the time, but during his last years a sorter of wool, and a more faithful man to his employers, perhaps never lived.

ALMON WEATHERBEE

moved from Moretown to Northfield in 1845 ; worked for Governor Paine in his factory and grist-mill. He built the house where his family now live-the first house on that hill. He was killed Dec. 11, 1867, in the terrible railroad disaster at Harlow Bridge. He was an industrious and good citizen, and his sad death was lamented by his fellow townsmen. He left a wife and 3 children.

SILAS SHELDON,

born in Dorset, Jan. 25, 1794, came to Northfield in 1816. He married Sarah Richardson, Jan. 25, 1818, for his first wife, and Anna Richardson for his second, Dec. 30, 1821, twin daughters of Stanton and Anna Richardson. The first wife died Dec. 1, 1818, leaving twins, Silas Harmon and Samuel Richardson, when 5 days old. The second wife had : Chauncey D., Martin B., Chauncey G.

DEA. CALVIN CADY,

born in Pomfret, Conn., 1786, located in Berlin, this County, and worked for Porter Perrin for $12 a month in haying, he agreeing to do all the pitching both ways. He and the hands would work until 8 o'clock at night, then milk the cows, eat break and milk, and go to bed. He lived at one time at Lanesville, and attended a saw-mill. It is said, one night he was standing on the carriage of the mill that ran out over the end of the mill, and falling partially asleep, stepped off, and fell some

Dr. MATTHEW MCCLEARN, born in Nova Scotia, 1824, came here from Boston and commenced the practice of medicine in 1855. He came for the benefit of his | 20 feet, where it was rocks below; but

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there happened to be a slab which stood one end against the mill and the other on the rock, and he struck that on his back, and bounded off to his feet, and was not hurt. He removed to Northfield in 1828. and by working hard keeping Judge Paine s boarding-house, he succeeded in getting into comfortable circumstances. He took a great interest in his children as long as he lived, and made it a point to get them

ISAAC B. HOWE, ESQ., came to Northfield, with his father, when about 7 years old, where his boyhood days were passed on a farm. At the age of 18 he commenced teaching school, but aban- doned this in 2 years for civil engineering together as often as he could, especially on | on the Vermont Central railroad. He was thanksgivings. He was one of the deacons of the Congregational church here, and had the esteem and confidence both of his church and townsmen. He married Betsey Merrill, May, 1809, who was born in 1785. Their children were: Almira, Abigail, Calvin, Jr., George, Eliza, Laura, Luther, Lyman, Mary A. Mr. Cady died in 1867 ; Mrs. Cady in 1858.

WILLIAM ALLEN, now living on the old homestead, is one of the oldest inhabitants born in Northfield. He married Esther E. Libby, of Strafford, in 1825; children : Harrison P., Nancy, John L., Edna, Emily E., Marietta C., John W., Amanda L., all born in Northfield.

ITHAMAR ALLEN, JR.,

born in 1778, came here from Gill, Mass., with his father at a very early day, and they settled near the north corner. Ith- amar, Jr., married Nancy, daughter of Aquillo Jones, and moved to the Falls vil- lage, and located on the farm now owned by his son William, where his father lived and died. At that time the whole valley north of our Depot village was all a wil- derness, and Aquillo bought this farm, together with the Burnham place, for al- most a song, and gave the former land to his daughter Nancy. Their children were : Elijah, William, Charles, Sally, Chloe, Amanda, Edna, Warren, Adaline, born in Northfield. Mr. Allen died in 1861, aged 83 years.

ABIJAH HOWE,

born in Middleton, Mass., 1788, married Martha Bridgman, of Hanover, N. H., and came to Northfield in 1834, and settled on the farm where Walter Bow- man now lives. Mr. Howe graduated at Dartmouth in 1810. They had 7 children :

Theoda, Asa, Martha A., Sophia D., Hannah S., Isaac B., Miraett. Mr. Howe died in 1872, aged 83 ; Mrs. Howe in 1865, aged 76 years.

employed on that road and the Vermont and Canada about 12 years, having charge of the civil engineering and road repairs. He is now a resident of Clinton, Iowa. He has at various times made valuable im- provements now in general use on rail- ways, although but few of them have been secured by letters patent. He also in- troduced several novel and useful improve- ments in the construction of the city water works while president of the Clinton Water Works Company.

In the spring of 1861, Mr. Howe went to Iowa, to take the position of chief engineer and assistant superintendent of the railway from Clinton to Council Bluffs. The next season he was appointed superintendent of the 350 miles of railroad from Clinton to the Missouri river at Omaha, which posi- tion he held until the summer of 1872, when ill health compelled him to withdraw from active railway service.

For several years Mr. Howe has been extensively engaged in operating stone and marble quarries in Iowa and Illinois, and with his banking business keeps him in constant employment. He is one of that kind of men who prefer to "wear rather than rust out."

Mr. Howe was representative of North- field in 1857-58, and received other marks of appreciation during his citizenship among us. To show his love for the town of his adoption is as strong as ever, an ex- tract from a letter is given :

This proposed history will not only be of great interest to us who are now here, but it will have a greater interest to those who are to succeed us. My little " Hawk- eye " son delights in hearing me tell of what I did when I was a little boy, and I derive pleasure from the recital, as the

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dream-like memories of the olden time al- most bring back the perfume of the wild flowers and fruits I gathered when a little barefooted boy, forty years ago! Your history of Northfield would be to me what my early history is to my children. It is almost 17 years since I left Vermont, but my interest in the State and in good old Northfield remains as strong as ever, and it gratifies me to know that I am not yet quite forgotten, but may still claim cit- izenship in your hearts, if not in your elections.

The family monument is in the North- field cemetery, a portico monument of the Doric order ; base 7x 12 feet from the ground to the top of the pediments; of Vermont granite. The urn was executed by J. S. Collins, of Barre ; all other work by Jones Trow, of Berlin ; original designs by Isaac B. Howe.

JUSTUS BURNHAM, ESQ.,

came here from Hardwick, Mass., quite early, and worked at the carpenter trade, building, with John Green, the first house on Main street, where Mrs. William Nich- ols resides. His children were: Betsey, Anna, Hannah, Asa, Isabella, Arbijah, Rhoda, David, Lydia, Violet.

LUTHER S. BURNHAM,

born in Brookfield, Feb. 18, 1797, came to Northfield in 1840, and settled on a farm at the Falls village, and was a man respected and beloved. He married Lucy Nelson, of Orange, 1798, and they had 6 children : James H., Harris, David N., Elosia, Lucy Ann, Helen M.

REV. JAMES HARVEY BURNHAM at an early age evinced a remarkable apti- tude for study, especially for theology. As he grew up, he wished to enter the minis- try of the Universalist denomination, and his whole soul seemed bent in that direc- tion. His parents did not much favor the idea, but at last consented. He attended Newbury Seminary a few terms; taught school with very good success, and after a while commenced preaching in Irasburgh, Barton and Coventry. His sermons, like his uniform bearing, were noted for clear- ness, candor, and marked conscientious- ness, rather than lively imagination, love of sensation, or effort for popularity. Soon after he married Ann P. Alexander, of

Northfield, and settled as a Universalist minister in Troy, Vt. Here his health failed him, and he returned to this town, and engaged in trade at the Center vil- lage. His wife died of consumption in 1848. After her death Mr. Burnham re- sumed preaching and settled in Sacrappa, Me. ; in 1850, married Mary A. Barnard, of Southbridge, Mass., and became a part- ner of Rev. Eli Ballou, at Montpelier, in the book business and publishing of the " Christian Repository," where he remain- ed till his death, Sept. 11, 1853, in the full prime of his manhood, of consump- tion, a loss to the denomination of which he was a worthy member.

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 103

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press Number of Pages: 1066

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press
Number of Pages: 1066