The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 79

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 79

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).

Col. Jewett derives his military title from having been, with Gov. Charles Paine, on the staff of Maj. Gen. Ezekiel P. Walton. E. P. W.

SAMUEL WELLS.

If intelligent and successful devotion to the highest interests of a community for the best portion of a more than average life entitles one to grateful mention when the record of that community is made up,

then surely does the subject of this sketch deserve a no mean place upon the roll of honor of Montpelier.

SAMUEL WELLS was born in Milton, Chittenden County, Vt., Sept. 23, 1822. His father, William Wells, was a respected farmer of that town, and a veteran of the War of 1812, having served five years as a non-commissioned officer. The record says : " He was in the expedition which invaded Canada under Gen. Scott, and participated in the battles of Chippewa, French's Mills, and the siege and capture of Fort Erie. He was also one of the sur- vivors of the memorable charge at Lundy's Lane, under Col. Miller, when two-thirds of the attacking force was cut down."

Samuel was the eldest of seven children, five of whom died in childhood. With no educational advantages in early life but the common schools of that day, these were so prized and utilized as to enable the farmer boy himself to become a suc- cessful teacher at the early age of 18. Sub- sequently he entered the law office of Hon. A. G. Whittemore, of Milton, where he not only completed his course of legal studies, but, better still, became so thor- oughly imbued with the high-toned pro- fessional practice and honorable business habits of the distinguished gentleman with whom he studied, as to furnish him a model in all his subsequent life. While studying law he also acquired a knowledge of prac- tical surveying, which was of great service to him in after years.

After admission to the bar in Chittenden County, Mr. Wells opened an office in Bakersfield, Franklin County, where he practiced his profession for some two years. During this period he interested himself in the subject of fire insurance, and finally became impressed with the advisability of the farmers of the State effecting insurance by themselves, and thus avoiding liability for the more hazardous classes of fire risks. Accordingly, in October, 1849, he came to Montpelier, and after enlisting other parties, an application was made to the legislature, then in session, for an act to incorporate the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The application was

Elisha PJeneth

485

MONTPELIER.

strenuously opposed in various quarters, but finally prevailed, and on the day suc- ceeding its passage the company was or- ganized. At this organization Mr. Wells was chosen Treasurer and also a Director of the company, both of which positions he continued to hold by unanimous annual elections for 28 years, and until the day of his death. With a single exception, there was not another instance of like service in the history of the company. With that exception, not one of the original Directors remained in office, and ten out of the fifteen had long before passed away.

With his company organized, Mr. Wells entered at once upon the discharge of his official duties with all the ardor of his na- ture, and in an almost incredibly brief period of time the " FARMERS' MUTUAL " became one of the established and honored institutions of the State. It was both the pride and monument of all his after life. Its management led him to visit all sec- tions of the State, and he thus became more generally and favorably known than falls to the lot of most of our public men. Of the three thousand losses which the com- pany sustained prior to his death, he doubtless personally adjusted more than one-half, and no party ever had reason to accuse him of injustice or trickery. Of all the moneys which he recieved and dis- bursed as treasurer of the company- amounting to nearly a million of dollars- not a single dollar was ever misappropriat- ed to his personal advantage or diverted from its legitimate use.

But fidelity to these public trusts by no means circumscribed or measured the ex- tent and value of his services to the im- mediate community in which he lived. With a generous spirit, and a ready and skillful hand, he welcomed all the broad and varied duties of the good citizen. His own limited advantages for early edu- cation led him to devise liberal things for the youth of later generations. The long and bitter struggle which finally resulted in the establishment of Montpelier's ex- cellent Union School, was inaugurated by Mr. Wells and three or four associates, survey of routes, and estimates of the cost

and the almost endless and delicate labor required to supersede the time-honored district system by the infinitely better plan of union and gradation, with all the legis- lation needful to render it complete and harmonious, devolved more largely upon him than upon any other one individual. And for several years after the new system was adopted he afforded it the benefit of his aid and counsel as a member of the prudential committee. The same is true of the excellent Fire Department, which has been maintained during the last 25 years. An entire re-organization was ef- fected, improved engines purchased, new companies formed and equipped, and a new departure in discipline and efficiency taken, largely through his instrumentality. For several years he held the responsible position of chief engineer, and was a lead- ing actor in this department long after failing health warned him to desist.

In 1870, in consultation with others, he procured the chartering of the Montpelier Savings Bank and Trust Company, of which he was one of the corporators-an institution now, (1881,) with more than half a million dollars of deposits and cap- ital. In 1874 he obtained the charter of the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, with a view of providing insurance in home companies for such classes of prop- erty as could not be insured in the Farm- ers' Company, and which had hitherto been compelled to seek accommodation largely outside of the State. In this com- pany he was an active director until his death.

In 1872 he became impressed with the absolute need of a better water supply for the village, and with such aid as he could command, secured the consideration of the subject at the annual village meeting of that year, which resulted in the appoint- ment of a committee to examine and re- port upon the desirability of the general project, and the comparative merits of the several sources of supply. Mr. Wells was chairman of that committee, and much time and labor were expended in the ex- amination of localities, analysis of waters,

486

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

of material and construction-all of which was submitted in an exhaustive printed re- port at the annual village meeting of 1873. That report strongly recommended that the supply be taken from Berlin Pond brook, and that the work be undertaken at once ; and the reasons given for that re- commendation have never been contro- verted. When the village finally decides to meet this imperative necessity-and it is believed that that time is in the very near future-it will be found that the work is all plainly mapped out in Mr. Wells' report of 1873.

Charters for the Montpelier Manufactur- ing Company and also the Pioneer Manufac- turing Company, were prepared and their enactment procured by him, the establish- ment of which have added largely to the population and industrial interests of the town ; and if all the benefits anticipated therefrom have not been realized, it is solely because the monied men of the place persistently withheld their pecuniary aid and fostering care. Mr. Wells also ' actively aided in the work of securing the Wells River railroad, and expended no little time and labor in efforts to secure other, in some respects better, connecting railway lines. He was principally instrumental in the purchase and fitting up of Village Hall, which has ever since not only supplied an essential need, but proved a source of no small profit to the village ; also the Town Farm, where our poor, whom we "always have with us," find a comfortable asylum. And while acting as one of the "Fathers of the town," which he did for several years, it is far within the truth to say that more was accomplished by way of opening new streets, improving old ones, extending and repairing sidewalks, providing suitable drainage, and improving the external and sanitary condition of the village, than was ever effected in the same length of time be- fore or since. These, and nameless kin- dred enterprises, show the creating, shap- ing and fostering hand of Mr. Wells, and generations yet to come will share the ben- efits of his generous and self-denying labors. Nor did he shrink from assuming his full proportion of the burdens of these

public improvements, for the records of each one will testify to an outlay of time, labor and money which furnish the best possible guaranty of good faith, and which show a degree of liberality entirely dispro- portioned to his means. And while the more conservative portion of the commu- nity looked upon some of his enterprises as visionary and impracticable, time is rapidly demonstrating that his only misfortune was to be but a tithe as far in advance of the times as his critics were in the rear.

Though the general practice of the law was abandoned on coming to Montpelier, Mr. Wells nevertheless retained his con- nection with the bar, making a specialty of insurance law and practice. He was in- dustrious and thorough in the preparation of his cases, and sought for the solid ground of equity, which he regarded as the very essence of law. Some points of in- surance law of the first importance became permanently settled through his instru- mentality.

In politics Mr. Wells was an unwaver- ing Democrat, thoroughly imbued with the principles of the schools of Jefferson and Jackson. He was unskilled in the party tactics of modern times, and might well have said, with Addison :

" Belleve who will the artful shams-not I."

However, he followed the fortunes of his party, and the esteem in which he was held by his associates is well certified by his having been made at different elections their candidate for Congress, State Treas- urer and Presidential elector, and also chosen a member of the State Committee and chairman of the District Committee. He was also made a candidate for various county offices. His party being uniformly in the minority, however, he received no elections to office save such as were con- ferred by his political opponents ; but in such esteem was he held that for many years he was chosen a selectman, town agent and justice of the peace.

The leading traits of Mr. Wells' char- acter were well stated by one of the local papers at the time of his decease :

" Montpelier had no better citizen than Samuel Wells. Honest in all his convic-

487

MONTPELIER.

tions and actions ; public-spirited and lib- eral in all projects for the general good ; favoring all improvements that promised to enhance the prosperity of the town ; very generous in aiding all objects of char- ity ; ever ready to assist those who were trying to assist themselves ; careful in form- ing opinions, and then courageous in avow- ing and standing by them ; a considerate · and kind-hearted man, a true friend, an excellent neighbor, an affectionate husband and father, he was one of those whose true worth will be more and more realized as time develops what was lost when he was taken. His proudest monument will be that all are fully justified in speaking well of him, and that he was really an honest man-"the noblest work of God." Than this, no higher eulogy can be given any man."

Though not a communicant, Mr. Wells was a habitual attendant and liberal sup- porter of Bethany church. For many years he served upon its prudential com- mittee, and had the custody, as surveyor, of its church edifice.

In Sept. 1854, Mr. Wells was married to Mary P. Leslie, of Newbury, who, to- gether with two daughters, survives him, a son having died in childhood.

Jan. 31, 1878, before completing his 57th year, Mr. Wells died-prematurely, as the record runs and as the world judges ; but

"We live in deeds, not years ; in thoughts, not breaths ; In feelings, not in figures on a dial. . He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best." Judged by this standard,

"The hand of the reaper Sought the ears that were hoary." J. P.

HON. JOHN SPALDING,

son of Reuben Spalding of Sharon, born 1790, died April 26, 1870, in his 81st year. He came to Montpelier in 1813, and en- tered into trade for himself, and afterwards was a partner in the firms of Chester Hub- bard & Spalding, Langdon & Spalding, Langdon, Spalding & Co., and John & Charles Spalding, retiring from mercantile employments in 1840, after which he spent much of his time in agricultural pursuits. He married a daughter of Hon. Salvin Collins, who bore him two sons and three daughters, John and Eliza now [1881] only surviving. Judge Spalding was a

large and good looking man, of a kind disposition, and excessively affectionate to his children. His integrity was undoubt- ed, and so earned for him the responsible offices which he held. He was some time Director and President of the old Bank of Montpelier, and also President of the Ver- mont Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Judge of Washington County Court 1840, and State Treasurer 1841 to 1846.

MAJ. RICHARD W. HYDE

was born in Lebanon, N. H., Oct. II, 1801, died in Montpelier Nov. 13, 1865. He came of good stock, which contributed many good men to this State, Lieut. Elihu Hyde having served as representative for Lebanon in our Legislature 1781, under the second union with New Hampshire towns, and been commissioned as a mag- istrate. Maj. Hyde came to Montpelier in 1828, and lived there until his death. The following account of his business life, and beautiful tribute to his character, from the pen of the late Hon. C. W. Willard, writ- ten in Nov. 1865, will make the best biog- raphy of this worthy man.

" Some 35 years ago Major Hyde came to Montpelier and embarked in mercantile business, which he followed without inter- ruption and with well-merited success up to the time of his death-at which time he was senior partner of the firm of Hyde, Foster & Co., a house of the first respecta- bility and prosperity. The gradual but steady success which attended the busi- ness life of Mr. Hyde through. all those years which brought vicissitudes to perhaps most of his cotemporaries, was the result of no tricks of trade or hazardous specula- tion : but the legitimate fruit of enlighten- ed judgment and honorable dealing. And his example in this respect, now bequeathed to the junior members of the firm, is a rich legacy in itself, and a sure harbinger of success if properly followed.

" But Mr. Hyde's business habits in no degree rendered him indifferent or narrow- minded in respect to the best interests of our community. No man among us more heartily seconded all enlightened plans to promote the material interests and pros-

488

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

perity of the town-to improve our schools -to build and support our churches-to meet the calls of general benevolence and charity, and especially to supply the neces- sities of the poor.

" In his political associations Mr. Hyde was a life-long democrat ; but with him democracy meant patriotism, and he re- fused to follow any banner but the flag of his country. And during the late war no man in the community labored more earnestly or contributed more freely than he to furnish men and means for bearing that loved banner onward to victory and peace. Thank God that he lived to see the desire of his heart granted !

" Mr. Hyde himself was no stranger to bereavement. Death had repeatedly vis- ited his family, and stirred to their very depths the deep fountains of his nature. But his great, loving heart, so susceptible of grief, turned as if by superior attraction to the still greater and more loving heart of the Father of us all ; and here he found, not only consolation in his grief, but a firm foundation for his religious creed, in the confident belief that the Infinite God, who desires the salvation of all, will bring them in His own good time and manner to the joys of His heavenly home.

"The home of Mr. Hyde was proverbially the abode of hospitality and good cheer. Here all ages and conditions found a com- panion and friend. Here the benevolence and geniality of his nature were fully de- veloped, and from this central sun influen- ces of love and good will radiated through all the community. To his beloved fami- ly the loss is unspeakable-inconceivable. We offer no word of consolation, for vain is the help of man. The profound respect and sympathy of the community was appro- priately manifested on the occasion of the funeral, by the closing of our places of business, and the attendance of a large concourse of people to mingle their tears with the bereaved, and testify their grief that the manly form, the pleasant smile and the cheering voice of our departed friend would be seen and heard among us no more forever.

"As we conveyed the mortal remains of our departed brother to their chosen rest- ing-place in our beautiful Cemetery, toward the close of a pleasant autumn day, with the partially-veiled sun sinking tranquilly to his rest, and committed " earth to earth and dust to dust," commending his spirit to Him who is the Resurrection and the Life,-we could but inwardly exclaim-

** Be thy virtues with the living. And thy spirit ours."

Maj. Hyde first engaged in the bakery business as junior member in the firm of Cross & Hyde, and this was followed by the large mercantile business above allud- ed to. He left, surviving, a son, Edward D. Hyde, who has succeeded to his fath- er's business, and two daughters-all borne to him by Sarah L., youngest daughter of the late Jacob F. Dodge of Montpelier.

JAMES T. THURSTON. BY HON. C. W. WILLARD.

The death of James Tottingham Thurs- ton, long a resident of Montpelier, de- mands of the public journalist more than the mere mention of his decease ; and per- haps here, even more than ordinarily hap- pens with men of equal worth, because he never by any ostentation of virtue seemed to challenge commendation, is it proper that we should recognize the value of a life singularly industrious, honest and tem- perate, successful in its connection with business interests and public concerns, dear to those who had the pleasure of his friend- ship, and made happy by the love of those who enjoyed the affection of his home.

Mr. Thurston was the son of Moses Thurston and Hannah Bolton Thurston, and was born in Cambridge, Vt., Feb. 19, 1818. His father was a farmer, and the education of which the son had the bene- fit at home was only such as a youth of quickness of intellect could obtain in the common schools of the town, at a time when such schools could hardly be called institutions of learning, but only served to give boys an acquaintance with the rudi- ments of knowledge. He came to Mont- pelier when he was 15 years of age, living with his brother-in-law, Henry W. Sabin, and serving part of the time as his clerk,

489

MONTPELIER.

attending for two or, three years the dis- trict school during the winter months, and possibly a term or two at the academy. His after life, however, served to show how little the fitness for responsible po- sitions and ability to do well everything that a prominent business man and citizen has to do, depends upon the learning of the schools. In 1838, he was employed as clerk in the Vermont Mutual Fire In- surance Company, where he performed his work so satisfactorily, that in 1842 he was made treasurer of the company. This position he occupied-with the exception of a period of 14 months in 1850-51, when he acted as secretary of the National Life Insurance Company-for 32 years. At the time he was made treasurer, Daniel Baldwin was president of the company, and such men as Joseph Reed, Joseph Howes, John Spalding and George Worth- ington were active directors. The com- pany then, though well established, was doing a small business in comparison with what it afterwards commanded, and no small share of its subsequent success is due to the faithful and intelligent labors of its treasurer. In 1874, Mr. Thurston was made president, succeeding Mr. Baldwin, who had held the office 34 years. In 1877, he resigned the office on account of his in- creasing infirmity, which made even its lightest duties a severe tax upon his strength.

Mr. Thurston was, besides his connec- tion with the Fire Insurance Company, a director of the National Life Insurance Company from 1852, until his death, and for nearly the whole time a trusted and continually-consulted member of its finan- cial committee. He was also a director of the First National Bank of Montpelier from its organization, and his acquaintance with men and affairs and his prudent judg- ment made him a valuable officer. He was at different times clerk, selectman and lister of Montpelier, and latterly for many years a favorite presiding officer in town and public meetings.

In politics Mr. Thurston was, until 1861, a democrat, and associated with such dem-

ocrats as Paul Dillingham, Daniel Bald- win, Chas. G. Eastman, T. P. Redfield, Charles Reed, John A. Page, Stephen Thomas and W. H. H. Bingham. He was the candidate of that party for state treas- urer from 1856 to 1860. Since the com- mencement of the rebellion in 1861, he has acted and voted with the republican party. He was not, however, either as democrat or republican, a zealous partisan, but al- ways held his opinions of public men and measures subject to his intelligent estimate of their real worth without much respect for their party labels.

Mr. Thurston united with the Congrega- tional church in Montpelier, where he had formerly worshipped, in 1858, was a mem- ber of its communion at his decease, and a regular attendant upon its services when his health permitted. His religion was a matter of judgment rather than of emotion, a belief in the present value of an upright life rather than in the saving power of ecstatic states of mind or unreasoning faith in creeds-in short, an intelligent, con- sistent, exemplary, practical christianity, a christianity that believes the road to Heaven should be traveled not on Sundays alone, but on other days in the week as well.

In 1843, Mr. Thurston was married to Fanny W. Witherell, of Montpelier, who died in 1865, leaving one son, John B. Thurston, now a respected citizen of Montpelier. Afterward, Mr. Thurston married Mrs. Sevira J. Currier, of Mont- pelier, who survives him. His home was a delight to him and to those under its roof, a place to which he always turned with fondness and longing when away, a home now darkened by the shadow of death.

It may justly be said of Mr. Thurston's life that it was calm and steady, flowing like the current of a river that, between even banks, keeps its quiet course to the sea. He was a conservative rather than a reformer, but conservative more in action than in thought, as often happens with men of a temper seldom stirred by the heats of passion or emotion ; but no gen- uine reform that commended itself to the

490

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

sober judgment ever lacked his sympathy or support. Rev. Mr. Hincks, in remarks at the funeral service, said that Mr. Thurston was not aggressive in his re- ligion ; and he might have said with equal justice that he did not belong to the ag- gressive type of man. He was not of the men who found states and conquer king- doms, but of the other equally valuable men who hold fast the progress already made, yet never refuse to advance when new ideas open the way. He had a lively sense of humor, a rare appreciation of the ridiculous, was a keen observer of men, en- joyed a good story and told one exceeding- ly well, and was genial and witty as well as philosophic and thoughtful in conversa- tion. He was quick to see the force of logic, just and intelligent in his estimate of his associates and the men of his time, always- giving countenance and aid to every work that met his approval, liberal in contribu- tions to all benevolent objects, ready to aid with his labor and his purse every en- terprise that contributed to the growth, the reputation and the influence of his town, faithful to his many friends, and not unjust to his few enemies. He had a ju- dicial temper of mind, that peculiar excel- lence which commands respect rather in the long run than in moments of excitement and the heat of controversy. that calmness that not seldom frets impatient minds be- cause it does not jump with their conclu- sions and run with their speed, but which always proves its worth and vindicates itself as time wears on. He loved life, and had joy in living. In his long struggle with disease, he would gladly have wel- comed returning health, for the delight he always found in seeing the faces and hear- ing the voices of his friends, for his love for the sweet pleasures which nature in a hundred ways offered to him, and for the sense of being a part of a living, moving world. Yet he met his death patiently, without vain regrets, mourning most of all that with those he loved so well he should no more from our breezy hills look out on the fair pictures that summer and autumn spread over our mountains and along our valleys, nor hear the "various language "

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 79

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