The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 78

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 78

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was born in 1786, married Judge Howes in 1808, and died January 20, 1871. While her husband was of a severe type, she was gentle, mild, charitable, and these mingled qualities made a household of obedient and affectionate children, of whom there were nine, to wit: William, born April 21, 1809, went to Prescott, Wis., about 30 years ago, became mayor of the town, and was judge of probate for his district sev- eral years, and until his death ; Almira, widow of Lieut. Gov. David M. Camp, of Derby ; Joseph Wilder, born Nov. 5, 1812, was a merchant and sheriff of this county in 1849: [for more, see ante, pages 394- 396.] George. born Nov. 14, 1814, was a merchant, cashier of the Bank of Mont- pelier from 1841 to 1858, and State treas- urer 1847 to '53 ; Sarah Sophia, born July 27, 1817, married E. P. Walton, Jr., June 6, 1836, and died Sept. 3, 1880 ; Solon, born Aug. 6, 1819, died in early manhood ; Martha is widow of Rev. Calvin Pease, Professor and President in the University of Vermont, and at his death pastor of a Presbyterian church in Rochester, N. Y. ; Henry, born March 7th, 1826, died in childhood ; and last, Henry, born Apr. 30, 1829, was for some years a cashier, and since 1865 has been employed in the Na- tional Treasury and Interior Departments.

Judge Howes was a blacksmith, and I have a very fine engraving of the interior of a blacksmith's shop, which I have al- ways called my wife's coat of arms. EP. W.

DR. JULIUS YEMANS DEWEY.

[Extracts from an obituary b Dr. Sumner Putnam. ]

Julius Yemans Dewey was born in Berlin, Aug. 22, 1801 ; his father, Simeon Dewey, being among the first to settle in that town, coming from Hanover, N. H., nearly 100 years ago. Julius was one of a family of 8 children, and very active when a lad, not only working upon the farm, but traveling about the country, both on foot and on horseback, as an assistant drover. But in his nineteenth summer, one-half day's work, which consisted in loading and pitching 17 loads of hay, de- termined his choice of a profession, from the fact that for a long time afterward he

was sick with pain and inflammation in the hepatic region, from which, however, he finally recovered, and outlived all the members of his father's family. Having acquired a good preliminary education at the Wash. Co. Gram. School, he studied medicine with Dr. Lamb., a celebrated practitioner in those days, resident at Montpelier, and in 1823, received his de- gree from the medical department of the Vermont University, and commenced prac- tice at Montpelier. In consequence of his activity, intelligence and skill, he soon ac- quired a large professional business, and June 9, 1825, married Miss Mary Perrin, daughter of Zachariah Perrin, of Berlin. The fruit of this union was 18 years of happy domestic life and 4 children : Chas. and Edward Dewey, of Montpelier, Geo. Dewey, of the U. S. Navy, and Mrs. Dr. Geo. P. Greeley, of Nashua, N. H. Fur- thermore, these years were crowned with professional and financial success, but all too soon, the faithful wife and mother was called from her earthly home, and the circle thus painfully broken, remained severed about 2 years, when it became restored by a second marriage with Mrs. Susan L. Tarbox, of Randolph, an estimable lady, who brought with her an excellent daugh- ter, now the wife of his oldest son, which arrangement proved very happy in all re- spects.

Though brought up in a family the heads of which were rigidly Puritan, Dr. Dewey chose the Protestant Episcopal church, in which he was long a faithful office-bearer, a liberal supporter and an influential ad- viser, especially against the modern fash- ions which find no countenance except in the Roman churches. In politics, he was ardent and intelligent, and to him, per- haps, quite as much as any other one, is to be ascribed the defeat of the anti-masonic Gov. Palmer in 1835, and the subsequent success of the Whig and Republican par- ties in Vermont; yet he was never an office-seeker, but acted simply upon his convictions of what was best for the State and the nation.

In 1850, Dr. Dewey, with others, or-

FORBES CO BOSTON

Julius Y. Dewey

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ganized the National Life Insurance Com- pany of Montpelier, and soon became its president and chief manager, and so re- mained until his death. Under his auspi- cious management, in 27 years, the com- pany has acquired a large number of policy-holders, presenting a record of suc- cess unequalled, and worthy the confidence and patronage of those who desire at death to doubly ensure, if possible, a legacy to their families. Indeed, amid the financial ruin and distress prevalent, this noble monument of his provident care and in- dustry affords relief to many a worthy debtor, and stands against the invasion of want as a bulwark to many a widowed and orphaned home.

In 1854, being deprived by death of a second wife, at 53 years of age, apparently in the prime of life, and by nature strongly 'inclined to make the best of life and its blessings, especially the endearments and comforts of home, he fortunately married Mrs. Susan E. Lilley, of Worcester, Mass., a beautiful and excellent woman, who also brought with her a beautiful daughter, now the wife of his second son, and for the last 20 years made his home a paradise, until his final departure shrouds it in mourning, (1876.)

During his last years, his relations as husband, parent and grand-parent were eminently happy. I have heard him re- mark that few men had been so unfortunate as himself in the loss of excellent wives, and that no man could have been more fortunate in replacing them. He was very strongly attached to home and its endear- ments-his wife, children and grand- children, and they always received from him the kindest attention, care and pro- vision ; and, in return, he received from them, and carried with him at his depart- ure, their utmost love, confidence and re- spect.

Dr. Dewey was eminently a strong, self- made man,-a person who thought care- fully, intelligently and broadly ; conse- quently, every enterprise to which he put his hands, proved a success. Education, the church, all forms of public welfare-

town, state and national, as the found- ation and defense of home, social order, progress and wealth, were near and dear to his heart, and always received his cor- dial support. During a long and active life, his ability and integrity reached and maintained the highest standard. Socially, he was friendly, open and cheerful.

On the 20th of May, 1876, he partook of a hearty dinner, over-exercised, and be- came much excited in discussion. Imme- diately, symptoms of disturbed digestion began, and a bad night followed, the pulse soon falling to 28 or 30 per minute. This state continued until the morning of the 29th, at 3 : 30 o'clock, when, in full con- sciousness, in the 76th year of his age, the heart instantly ceased to beat, the counte- nance flushed, soon became full and dusky, efforts at respiration ceased almost imme- diately, consciousness was gone, and the paleness of death settled over the features.

"Soul, thought, will, ideation- All, so quickly severed From their loved abode-

O, who may or e'er can, The mystery of life, Of death, illume, unveil, To the mourning circle Left behind ? "

MEDICAL MEN OF MONTPELIER.

BV DR. SUMNER PUTNAM.

FREDERICK W. ADAMS

was born in Pawlet, in 1786, and his lit- erary remains show him to have been ed- ucated. He studied medicine with Dr. Oliver Harmon, of Pawlet, attended med- ical lectures at Dartmouth College, and began practice in Fairfield before he grad- uated. Remaining there some time, he moved to Cambridge, and from Cambridge to Barton in 1814, and in 1822, returned to Dartmouth, and received his diploma. He continued to practice in Barton and vicinity till 1836, where he acquired great reputation as a physician and surgeon, being called at times a distance of 50 miles to perform capital operations. He was also the first, or one of the first, to call attention to the American hellebore or veratrum viride in practice. In the winter of 1835 and 1836, he attended medical lec- tures at Philadelphia, with a view of set-

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tling in Montpelier, which he did in 1836, his name and reputation soon following, if it had not already preceded him.

Located at Montpelier, he was at first shunned by many on account of his re- puted skepticism ; but being a large, gen- tlemanly appearing man, of dignified pres- ence, destined to excite attention and command respect or fear anywhere, he soon became a leading practitioner in the town and surrounding country.

Dr. Adams was a man of literary taste, and having long been esteemed an infidel or atheist, he, in 1843, at the request of friends, published a book entitled “ The- ological Criticism," which entitles him to rank with Paine and Ingersoll in their esti- mate of the Bible, the church and the clergy. But only as respects these points did his skeptical philosophy seem to touch his heart, as the following may tend to show: When he first came here, a lead- ing church felt it a duty to circulate papers asking its members to sign their names promising not to employ him profession- ally. After a time, the same men, one a deacon, who circulated the first paper, came to him with a subscription paper to help repair the church, to which appeal he replied, " God forbid that he should so misapply his money. He much preferred to give it to the poor and needy whom he knew."

All of those formerly acquainted with him here, with whom I have conversed, declare the Doctor to have been a very benevolent, generous, honorable, kind- hearted man. Says one, "He lived more practical Christianity daily, than any other man in town." When a poor man asked him for his bill, he would say, "How much money have you?" " O, not much !" would be the reply. " How many children have you?" "Four or five," as the case might be. "Well, then, you will want all the money you have, and more too ; here, take this," handing out five dollars, per- haps. Also, every now and then he would buy a web of calico, cotton cloth, or what- ever he thought might be needed, and slyly hand it in at the back door of the poor. On the other hand, of the usurious

rich, he would take a good bill, but no more than professional, saying to himself, if I get the money, I shall give some of it to the needy, and that they will not do if they keep it. A lady, whose family phy- sician he had been, said, " do not have it go into his biography that he was an in- fidel, for he was not. See the lines he composed on the death of my daughter," handing me the long-preserved lines, full of beautiful sentiment :

O, God! forgive us the distrust Deep agony hath wrought,

Of dispensation doubtless just, With hidden mercies fraught.

But when an idol is removed, Although from earth to Heaven, Our hearts rebel, that one so loved Should have been lent, not given.

O, hard, and harder yet to bear The cross we now sustain ; While memory will not forbear To ambrotype our pain.

We own that we should be resigned, And put in God our trust; Yet human selfishness is blind, Nor sees that God is just.

Hence, we should solemnly invoke The Faith too seldom giv'n,

That sees this mercy in the stroke, A soul transferred to Heaven.

It is said that he and Dr. Shelton, Rector of the Episcopal church in this place at that time, were on particularly good terms, often joking and bantering each other- Shelton often inviting Dr. A. to attend church, while he would as often contempt- uously decline to so misspend his time. But Dr. S. having prepared a sermon for him, continued to invite him to church, and at last he came, when the usher seated him well up in front. Dr. S. now took from the drawer his long-prepared sermon, on the text, " The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God," and delivered from his pulpit a powerful discourse, which Dr. A. seemed to take pretty much to himself, meanwhile, sitting uneasily in his seat, and sweating profusely. The old Doctor had a good mind to be mad, but then he con- cluded to blow it off.

Dr. Adams was a musician, and also made violins, which are said to have chal- lenged the admiration of Ole Bull. Ole Bull called on him when here, and he and the Doctor had some music.

Summer Putnam.

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He was twice married, and a daughter of his now resides in Barton. He died Dec. 17, 1858, of pneumonia, aged 72, with a clear intellect, and when asked if he died as he had lived, answered, " If there is a Christian's God, I am not afraid to trust myself in his hands."

Abridged from memoir in Transactions of the Vermont Medical Society. DR. C. B. CHANDLER

was born Apr. 24, 1796, at Chester. Dur- ing his minority, he resided at the home of his father upon the farm, and acquired at the common school and Chester Academy sufficient education to become a successful teacher.

He read medicine with Dr. Bowen, at- tended lectures at Woodstock, and after, at Brown University, R. I. ; where he grad- uated, and commenced practice in Tun- bridge in 1823. About the same time, he married Miss Nancy Atherton, of Balti- more, by whom he had two sons, who are now alive, and one of whom succeeded him in business in this town, and is now in full practice. In 1837, his first wife died. After this he married Miss Amanda Chapman, of Tunbridge, who died in 1841, His third marriage was to Mrs. F. A. C. Harvey, of Cabot, who survived him.

Having practiced his profession suc- cessfully 33 years in Tunbridge, he came to Montpelier, and bought out Dr. Orrin Smith, and soon acquired a good practice, showing himself, in the 10 years which he resided here, to be a careful, judicious physician, a good surgeon, a friendly, gen- erous, and strictly honorable man. With- out sickness, warning or premonition, he died instantly, Jan. 8, 1867, in his 71st year, while unharnessing his horse after a long ride ; it was supposed of apoplexy, as several of the family had died from that cause.

The high estimation in which he was held in every respect may be inferred from the following extract from a daily paper published in Montpelier at the time of his death. "He removed," says the editor of the Freeman, "to Montpelier in 1856, where for his high reputation as a skillful surgeon and physician, and his excellences

as a citizen, ever ready and zealous in every good work, he was highly esteemed. Though far advanced in years. he seemed to be physically and intellectually vigorous, and to the last was actively engaged in his profession. His death is, therefore, a se- vere loss to his family, to the medical pro- fession, and to the community. They find consolation in the remembrance that his life had been one of great usefulness, founded upon his firm conviction of the genuineness of practical Christianity. Ir- reproachable in all his relations in life, invaluable as a friend, of most excellent example as a citizen, and performing with scrupulous fidelity and with untiring labor every prompting of the warmest and kind- est heart, he was in all his life the truest type of the upright, benevolent, beneficent man. Others have left us more noted, perhaps, for talents and high position be- fore the public, but never one more missed and mourned than is; and long will be, this worthy, active, and intelligent Chris- tian physician.

Ever humane and self-sacrificing, he as cheerfully bestowed his professional aid on the poor, when he never asked or expected pay, as on the wealthy and influential ; and it has been this noble trait, in addi- tion to his fine social qualities, his entire sincerity and sterling worth as a man, which has so widely endeared him to all classes of people in this region of country. He once told a friend that he wanted no higher fame, and no better reward, than to have it thought and said at his death, that he sincerely endeavored to do all the good he could, and to be a kind and honest man.

DR. C. M. RUBLEE.

Chauncey Moore Rublee, son of Luman and Mrs. Luman (Burbank) Rublee, was born at Montpelier, Nov. 25, 1823. At fourteen, he left the Academy in this place, and became a clerk in the drug store of E. H. Prentiss, and, after 2 years' service, began the study of medicine with Dr. Charles Clark ; attended medical lectures, and graduated at Woodstock, after three years' study. In Dec. 1848, he sailed for

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Paris, and writes to his friends of the pas- sage : "We had but two storms, and I assure you I never wish to witness another. I wished myself in Vermont. When I saw the noble ship in which I was about to sail, lying at the dock, it did not seem possible for it to be blown about by the wind, but after getting out to sea, I realized what the wind and waves could do, and then the ship appeared to me as it was-a mere egg-shell dancing upon the water. On reaching Paris, I hired a room, furnished with everything necessary, and a femme, as they are called here, to take care of it, for which I pay $6 per month, and I get my food where I please. I devote con- siderable of my time at present, to learn- ing to speak French, and am able to talk a little." Again : " In the fore part of the day, I am either at the lying-in hospital with Paul Dubois, or in the surgeons' hos- pital with Velpeau; in the fever hospital with Louis, or at the venereal hospital with Ricord. Paul Dubois is considered the most able man in his hospital in Paris. I had a letter of introduction to him. He received me very kindly, and offered me any assistance he could render. He speaks English very well."

In the same letter he writes of the Rev- olution of 1848 : " The Frenchmen have accomplished a great work, drove Louis Phillip from his throne, . . . and pro- claimed France a Republic, in the presence of 700,000 people." Of the Socialist In- surrection which followed in June, he wrote Aug. 6: "Several pieces of cannon were stationed near the street where I live, and it was one continual roar. After each shot, a load of wounded would be carried by my window. Of 400 in one command, all killed but 30. Next morning I went to the dead house where the killed were deposit- ed before burial-a sad picture-fathers and mothers after their sons, sisters for their brothers, and when they found them, it would seem as if they would die with sorrow."

city practice, but before long his health began to fail; it never had been strong, and while at Boston he bled at the lungs two or three times, which induced him to return to Montpelier, where he continued to do office business, making a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear, and surgi- cal cases. In the winter of 1860, he spent 3 months in Paris, by which his health was improved.

He had one son, Chas. C. Rublee, M. D. Dr. C. M. Rublee was a clear-headed, en- ergetic, honorable man, a good physician and surgeon, and accumulated property from the practice of his profession, though his body was weak and infirm. He kept office hours 5 years after he was unable to walk any considerable distance, seldom, or never, mentioning his own sufferings and infirmities. During the last month of his life he was confined to his room, his cough becoming worse, prostration rapidly increased, and death came to his relief Jan. 26, 1870,

DR. W. H. H. RICHARDSON,

son of Samuel and Martha Richardson, was born in Orange, Vt., in 1824, and died of cerebral apoplexy, in Winona, Minn., June 5, '74. At an early age, having shown an aptitude for learning, he was fitted for college at Thetford Academy, and entered Dartmouth, where he remained to the end of his junior year ; on account of ill health he was obliged to omit the senior year ; but left college with a good reputation for scholarship and moral character.

After regaining his health, he com- menced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Taplin, of Corinth, Vt., and at- tended lectures at Pittsfield, Mass., grad- uating in 1849. Subsequently, he grad- uated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, and entered Bellevue Hospital, where he remained one year as house physician.

In Oct. 1850, he married Miss Cynthia P. Stewart, and in 1851, commenced the practice of his profession in East Mont- pelier, removing to Montpelier in 1856, where for 11 years he enjoyed a large and

On returning to Montpelier, he began practice, and soon married Miss Sarah E. Clark, daughter of Dr. Charles Clark. In 1855, he moved to Boston, to engage in l lucrative practice. By rigid economy and

wathow y wett

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close attention to business, he acquired a very respectable competence.

In 1866, becoming tired of riding over the adjacent hills at all hours of the day and night, realizing, as only a physician can, the magnitude of the burden as age advances, which many times is a thank- less task, he determined to remove to a more densely populated country, and, after traveling through the Western States, he purchased a residence in the beautiful city of Winona, Minn., on the westerly bank of the great Mississippi, where, surround- ed by his family, possessed of urbanity and great good sense, he enjoyed the confidence and respect of his neighbors and towns- people and the profession to which he be- longed, as well as that of those who sought his counsel and advice.

CAPT. NATHAN JEWETT

was born in Hopkinton, N. H., March 8, 1767, and died in Montpelier Dec. 29, 1861, in his 95th year. About the time Vermont declared her independence, the church in Connecticut, which ruled that State, commenced a persecution of the brethren who preferred the Cambridge Platform, which drove several clergymen and many excellent men into other states. Several of the fugitives came to Vermont and New Hampshire and settled in or near the Connecticut river valley, and among these was the Hon. Elisha Payne, who was very influential in effecting the two unions of New Hampshire towns with Vermont, and for a time held the offices of Lieut. Governor and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont, though residing in what is now Lebanon, N. H.

Capt. Jewett commended himself to Gov. Payne so well that he won the Governor's daughter Ruth, born at Plainfield, Conn., July 9, 1770, and married her Dec. 16, 1793, at Lebanon. From this marriage came the son, whose notice follows, and two daughters who were long ornaments in the society of Montpelier : Julia Jew- ett, widow first of Chester Hubbard, a successful merchant, and last of Hon. Au- gustine Clarke, who was State Treasurer ; and Eliza S. Jewett, widow of the Hon.

William R. Shafter, of Townshend. Mrs. Clarke died June 1, 1881, at the age of 87 years. Mrs. Shafter is still living.

Capt. Jewett came to Montpelier in 1807, and resided there until his death, always highly respected for perfect probity, and generosity beyond his means in behalf of the best interests of the community. I remember him as a well formed man and dignified and gentlemanly in his demeanor - qualities which contributed to his election to the captaincy of the Washington Artillery. This company was specially incorporated as the Governor's guard, consisted of picked men, and was entirely independent of other military organizations. The dignity of a Cap- taincy in such a company was equal to that of a Major General of the militia. Indeed, on election day the Captain was quite as great in the eyes of the customary crowd as His Excellency the Governor, His Hon- or the Lieut. Governor, the Honorable Council, and the General Assembly.

COL. ELISHA PAYNE JEWETT

was born in Lebanon, N. H., June 5th, 1801, and married Miss Julia Kellogg Field, daughter of the late Hon. Charles K. Field of Brattleboro, Jan. 15, 1861. He was the only son of Nathan and Ruth Payne Jewett, and he has an only daughter who bears her grand-mother Jewett's name.

Col. Jewett at 15 years was apprenticed to the late Hon. Daniel Baldwin as a clerk in the mercantile business, and after ser- vice for six years he engaged in trade for himself successfully, in the firms of Hub- bard & Jewett and Jewett, Howes & Co. On retiring from that business he was in- terested in the construction of a portion of the Vermont Central Railroad, and of the Great Western from Suspension Bridge to Hamilton, Ontario.

Later he engaged in agriculture, pur- chasing the beautiful farm on the Winooski, in the south-west corner of the town, on which the first settlement was made. He has greatly improved that farm and other lands in his possession. It is however for Col. Jewett's active exertions, by his

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personal influence and very generous con- tributions for the good of his town, to churches, State houses, and other things touching the interests of his neighbors, that he will long have "a name to live."

His integrity and reputation as a finan- cier are fully attested by the offices he has held. He was a bank director in Montpe- lier for 42 years ; president of the State Bank (Montpelier) 6 years ; State Treas- urer-1846 and 7, and town representative in 1855. He was also Presidential Elec- tor at large in 1872. Some of the services of Col. Jewett, in getting up the Vermont Central Railroad, have been already no- ticed in the history of Montpelier, but one incident remains to be recorded. The Vermont Central Railroad never could have been built without a connecting road in New Hampshire, and the dominant par- ty in that State was hostile to railroads. A committee of Central men, of which Col. Jewett was one, was therefore sent to Concord to wait upon the legislature and secure a charter. A scheme was arranged by Franklin Pierce, soon afterwards Presi- dent, Judge Upham and others, to have charters granted on condition that no rail- roads should be built except on the con- sent of a board of commissioners, who of course would be of the dominant party. Col. Jewett therefore ensconced himself at the Democratic head-quarters and soon prevailed upon an influential anti-railroad man to accept the office of commissioner, and the charter was granted. Soon after- wards Col. Jewett assisted in Gov. Paine's flank movement in favor of the Fitchburgh line, when the Railroad Commissioners hastened to approve the charter of the Northern N. H. Railroad Company.

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 78

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