The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 84

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 84

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" In yet another direction was his ability as a lawyer called into activity. Before 1858, the State Library was a mass of leg- islative documents without form, and void · of any use. A few law reports were inter- mingled, and formed a stock from which

Luther Prof

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impecunious and conscience-lacking men plundered at will. To make this one of the best libraries in the Union in the De- partment of American Law, without large expense to the State, was a labor of years with Mr. Reed. His success, with the means at his command, has, I am sure, not been paralleled. The bar and bench of the county and State owe a great debt to him for the thoroughness of the work."

Charles Reed was no courtier, nor trimmer. He could not cajole, he could not flatter, he could not fawn and curry favor. His sincerity appeared often as bluntness, and sometimes gave offence. But those who were acquainted with him had in their minds an ever ready explana- tion of his occasional roughness of speech and manner, in the knowledge that they were dealing with an upright, downright honest man, who, under an exterior some- ! what hard, carried a heart throbbing with devotion to the welfare of all, a man of Roman firmness, and of Jacksonian wil- lingness to assume the responsibility in an emergency ; a man whose record, whether public or private, had always been sin- gularly free from stain ; a man whose very presence strengthened the worthy pur- poses of the timid and hesitating about him, a man whose

· ·· Dally prayer, far better understood · In acts than words, was simply doing good."

JAMES G. FRENCH,

son of Micah French, of Barre, was born in Peru, N. Y., in 1824, and died in Mont- pelier, suddenly, Aug. 8, 1878. Employed for a while as a clerk, he opened a clothing store in Montpelier, in which he was quite successful. He was postmaster 8 years under President Lincoln, and subsequently entered into the construction of the Mont- pelier & Wells River Railroad. He was also very energetic, and even daring, in real estate operations, and to him, more than to any one man, Montpelier owes the construction of its spacious and elegant stores. Mr. French married a daughter of the late Joel Goldsbury, of Barre, and she, with an only daughter, Mrs. W. T. Dewey, survive him.

LUTHER CROSS,

born in Swanzey, N. H., 1802, established himself in mercantile business in Mont- pelier in 1827. In the same year he mar- ried Miss Polly M. Day, of Woodstock, who bore him four children: Gustavus T., who died March 13, 1867, aged 33 years ; Luther Burnell, now of Montpelier ; Royal D., now in the West ; and Lucia D., now wife of Marcus A. Farwell, of Chicago. Mr. Cross was interested in politics, and personally very popular ; hence he was often the Whig candidate for represent- ative in the old town of Montpelier, and always received more than his party vote ; but the town was so strongly Democratic that success was impossible. He was, however, a magistrate many years in suc- cession, and by the Legislature was re- peatedly elected sergeant-at-arms. He built three brick dwellings, which were the best in Montpelier in his day, and two of them are the best of the brick houses now. The three are the two houses on State street now occupied by Hons. John A. Page and B. F. Fifield, and the Cross homestead on Elm street. He also built the "Willard block " on Main, at the head of State street. He died, suddenly, Mar. 9, 1873, aged 71 years.

CHARLES AND TIMOTHY CROSS

came to Montpelier about the time of the advent of Richard W. Hyde, and with him started the first bakery in town.

CHAS. H. CROSS was born in Tilton, N. H., Feb. 13, 1812, and his wife was born an hour or two before him. He is highly esteemed, a staunch Methodist, and a liberal contributor to that church and its educational institution on Seminary Hill. He is still engaged in a large bakery and confectionary business with his eldest and well-known son, L. Bart. Cross.

TIMOTHY CROSS died some years ago. His house was destroyed in the last great fire, and his widow and children removed to Cambridgeport, Mass.

[To Charles Cross the Methodist church are also indebted chiefly for the fine wood engraving of their church building .- ED.]

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DANIEL BALDWIN (BY REV. J. EDWARD WRIGHT.)

Was born in Norwich, Vt., July 21, 1792, and died in Montpelier, Aug. 3, 1881. He was the youngest of the seven children of Daniel and Hannah (Havens) Baldwin. His mother was a daughter of Robert Havens, of Royalton, whose house was the first entered by the Indians when Royalton was burned. He was orphaned before he was two years old, and the des- titute brood was scattered. He came to Montpelier in 1806, and remained till he was of age under the guardianship of his older brother, Sylvanus, a man of prom- inence and marked ability. With him he learned the carpenter's trade, availing him- self also of some brief opportunities for attending school ; but, from the time of attaining his majority for many years, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, with gratifying success. He relinquished these in 1848, to devote himself more exclu- sively to his duties as president of the Vt. Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of which he was the original projector, and in which he took the first policy, March 31, 1828. He was president of this Company from 1841 to 1874, and regarded with a well- grounded satisfaction the remarkable pros- perity and growth of the Company during his administration. While cautious and conservative, he was eminently progressive both early and late in life. In 1827, he led in the effort to establish salt works in Montpelier. "He was called again and again into the direction of the Bank of Montpelier and the Montpelier National Bank, and was a director in the latter at the time of his decease. He was among the first to advocate and further the build- ing of the Vermont Central Railroad, and agitated the subject from 1830 until the desired end was attained. He was also one of the first board of directors of the Vermont Central, but retained that position only a year, having always stren- uously maintained, in opposition to the Northfield interest which prevailed, that the route should be by way of the Wil- liamstown Gulf. As long ago as 1850, he was one of a committee of eight, of which

the Hon. J. A. Wing was chairman, who raised a subscription, and procured at con- siderable expense to themselves a survey of a route for a railroad from Montpelier to Wells River."* He was also one of the originators and the general manager, dur- ing the early years of its existence, of the Montpelier Gaslight Co. "He was town treasurer in 1828, and then again for II consecutive years from 1835.

From 1837 to IS47 he was trustee of the . Surplus Fund.' For many years from and after 1837, he was the chief engineer of the fire department. During the years 1846 and 1847, he occupied the bench as associate judge of the Washington County Court, but from 1850 on, with the excep- tion of one year's service as lister, he uni- formly avoided public office."* In early life he held high position in the Masonic Order. "He was connected with the Vermont Colonization Society during all its active existence, a large part of the time as its treasurer, and then as its pres- ident." * In politics he was a democrat- during the rebellion a " war democrat," voting more than once for the republican candidate-and in religion he was em- phatically a " liberal Christian," avowing deep interest in " Spiritualism," but con- tributing generously to churches of various creeds, and joining most heartily with Unitarians and Universalists in the organ- ization and support of the Montpelier Independent Meeting-House Society, of whose board of trustees he was chairman from the establishment of the board in 1866 to the day of his death. In his will he manifested his undying interest in Montpelier, by bequeathing $2,000, to be used under certain conditions in securing a suitable water supply for the village.

He married, in 1820, Emily Wheelock, grand-daughter of the first president of Dartmouth College. She died in 1872. A son and four daughters were born to them, all of whom reached maturity and were married ; but only two, the first and second daughters, Mrs. Charles Reed and Mrs. Marcus D. Gilman, have survived their parents. The society of their six grand-children was a delight to Judge

* Memorial Sermon by Rev. J. Edward Wright.

Daniel Baldwin

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Baldwin during the last summer of his life.

He was a man extensively known in the State, and universally esteemed for his probity, his sound judgment, his public spirit and his benevolence. Deliberate in planning and moderate in moving, he was yet positive in his decisions and energetic in his actions. A man of a peculiarly placid and even temper, and sustained by a Christian trust, he bore earth's trials with great calmness, and his declining years furnished the community an im- pressive illustration of what it is to " grow old beautifully." Though not free from all the infirmities which commonly attend old age, he was wonderfully vigorous in mind and body, and found life enjoyable down to his last day; when suddenly his powers all collapsed, and with a brief struggle he passed on, leaving an honored name and a blessed memory. It is rare that a life is more entirely successful in both ts material and moral aspects. J. E. W.

[Lucia L., wife of W. C. D. Grannis, of Chicago, and daughter of Hon. Daniel Baldwin, died in Chicago, aged 28.]

From the records of Aurora Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M., we take the following :

IN MEMORIAM.

BRO. DANIEL BALDWIN, Born in Norwich, Vt., July 21, 1792, Died at Montpelier, Vt., August 3, 1881 ; Aged 89 years and 13 days.

Initiated in Aurora Lodge, No. 9, at Montpelier, January 3, 1814 ; Passed January 31, 1814 ; Raised in Columbian Lodge, Boston, Mass., May 14, 1814. Affiliated with Aurora Lodge, No. 22, July 11, 1881.

Bro. BALDWIN was an old time Mason, one of those who passed through the fiery trials of the anti-masonic period, and that he was unyielding in his devotion to the fraternity is evinced by the fact that he and Wor. Bro. Joseph Howes op- posed to the bitter end the surrender of the char- ter of old Aurora Lodge, No. 9. In this, how- ever, he was unsuccessful, and the Lodge suc- cumbed to what was probably inevitable, and it was voted, Sept. 19, 1834, to surrender the charter.

He successively filled all the offices of the Lodge from that of Tyler to Worshipful Master, to which latter office he was elected June 26, 1820.

He was also a prominent officer in King Solo- mon R. A. Chapter, No. 5, and a member of Montpelier Council, R. & S. M.

Bro. BALDWIN was a just and upright Mason, ever generous and liberal in dispensing Masonic charity, and was always ready to whisper good counsel in the ear of a brother.

MEMORIAL ADDRESS Of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

At the first meeting of the directors of the Vt. Mu. Fire Ins. Co. after the death of Mr. Baldwin, Aug. 3, 1881, the Presi- dent offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That we have learned with profound regret of the death of Hon. Dan- iel Baldwin, so long connected with this Company, and identified with the best in- terests of the town for three fourths of a century. We duly appreciate his eminent services as an officer of this company, and his usefulness as a citizen.

Resolved, That we extend to his family the sympathy of this Board in the loss of one who has so long been a kind friend and able counselor.

And a committee was chosen to prepare a memorial address to be read at the An- nual Meeting of the Company, which was prepared and read by Dr. HIRAM A. CUT- TING, of Lunenburgh.

" The Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company " is a name so familiar to every Vermonter, in fact, so woven into the af- fairs and interests of the people of this State, that when its originator, Daniel Baldwin, died upon the 3d day of August, in his 90th year, it sent a thrill of sorrow through the hearts of thousands. It was his foresight which planned a system of insurance that recommended itself for its cheapness, and won for itself golden opin- ions, supplying, as it did, the unfortunate with means to reconstruct their homes promptly when the fire-fiend had swept them away. Rightly has it been said of this company, " That it has clothed the naked, fed the hungry and supplied the destitute," and just was the sorrow for the departed man, for he was both the father and patron of this most beneficial associa- tion in our State. It was a happy inspi- ration which induced George Bliss, a can- vasser for the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, about the year 1818, to call upon Daniel Baldwin, who was tem- porarily stopping in Boston, for the pur- pose of soliciting his insurance. Mr. Baldwin was at that time a prosperous young merchant. He investigated the

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subject carefully, was pleased with the idea, had his property insured, and accepted the agency of the company for this section, which he retained for 2 years, receiving premiums to the amount of over $4,000, with only $2,000 in losses. It was during this period that the idea of cheaper insur- ance, based upon the mutual plan, sug- gested itself to Mr. Baldwin. He coun- seled with a number of the business men of that day, but could get little encourage- ment from any, with the exception of Thomas Reed, Jr., James H. Langdon, Joshua Y. Vail, and Chester Hubbard. With these coadjutors, at a second trial, Nov. 10, 1827, the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company was chartered; yet not without great opposition. The mem- ber from Middlebury, one of its opposers, moved an amendment of the bill, granting a charter, requiring the company to pay 6 per cent. of the profits into the State treasury annually. This shows that that member of our Legislature, at least, knew little of mutual insurance.

Under this grant the company was or- ganized, Jan. 21, 1828. As Daniel Bald- win originated the charter, he was elected president of the meeting, but declined, and J. H. Langdon was elected in his stead. There were but six persons pres- ent. A board of directors was chosen, and that' board, of which Hon. Mr. Baldwin was an active member, elected Chapin Keith of Barre, president, J. Y. Vail, sec- retary, and George Worthington treasurer, both of Montpelier. Their first policy was issued in March, 1828, to Daniel Baldwin.

In October, 1828, the directors reported 186 policies issued, and that the company was gaining in strength and popularity. A small beginning, truly, for a company that now issues between 5,000 and 6,000 poli- cies annually.

Mr. Keith was succeeded at the end of the year by Israel P. Dana of Danville, as president, who held the office until 1838, to be followed by John Spalding of Mont- pelier, who held the office until 1841, when the subject of this sketch was elected, holding office as president for 33 years. During this time, he administered the af-

fairs of the corporation as its head. He had around him trusty men, tried and true ; yet he has probably traveled more miles on insurance business, and talked insurance with more persons than any other 50 men in the State. His heart and soul were in the work, and with him that meant success. He understood the principles and rules of insurance as few ever do. He adjusted equitable rates for various classes of prop- erty with a truly wonderful precision. His devotion to the duties of his office were both conscientious and enthusiastic. As an adjustor, he was almost without an equal ; while he settled closely and eco- nomically for the company, he gained the respect and good will of the insured, for he was frank and honest, dealing as he would have others deal with him. Few, if any, ever felt aggrieved, and many were the testimonials showered upon him in later years, for his honest dealing with them, when they through loss were render- ed almost powerless to contest the validity of their insurance, had they been forced so to do.

The prosperity of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company is the proudest testimonial he can have of his zeal and well-directed services, and those who par- take of the benefits of that organization cannot fail to gratefully remember the man, who more than any other one has made the strong and reliable concern what it is. That its progress may be the more evident, I would say that the number of policies in force in 1831 was 1,869; in 1841, 12,012; in 1851, 11,790 ; in 1861, 22,237; in 1871, 27,488; and in 1881, 29,413. Such an in- crease in business is without precedent in any mutual company in our Union, and shows definitely that the true and unwav- ering course of all connected with it, has gained the confidence of the people, and the company is an honor to our State, and it is fitting that we should honor the man who originated the philanthropic scheme, and with untiring zeal pushed it to so grand success.

Age creeps stealthily on us all, and as Judge Baldwin felt the pressure upon him, and looked with a just pride upon an insti-

J.W. Weed, 1882.

JOHN WOOD.'

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tution, almost his own; and surrounded by helpers in the insurance business which he had himself educated, he thought that they had better allow him to retire; and so after his election as president for the 3Ist year, he sent in the following resigna- tion, in March, 1871 :

To the Directors of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company :

GENTLEMEN :- Owing to infirmities in consequence of old age, I do not feel com- petent to discharge the duties of president of this company as they should be, and therefore resign the office, to take place as soon as some person shall be elected to fill the responsible place I have so long occu- pied.

D. BALDWIN. Montpelier, March Ist, 1871.

No action was, however, taken upon this, and he was again re-elected in Octo- ber. He immediately resigned, but was over-persuaded, and consented to serve one year more by having a Vice President to relieve him of some of the duties which now rested quite heavily upon him. James T. Thurston was elected Vice President, and thus he was continued until Oct. 14, 1874, when Mr. Thurston was elected President ; but Hon. Mr. Baldwin was re- tained as director, so that his counsel and advice might rightly be available. Judge Baldwin, however, soon withdrew almost wholly from the office, but still retaining his mental faculties in a remarkable de- gree up to the day of his death.

All honor to the departed, and may his valuable counsels and noble example live with the company ; and his original and true principles of insurance be carried out by the insurer, and the household word of Vermont continue to be the " Old Ver- mont Mutual." Let us here to-day, as offi- cers of this company, pledge ourselves anew to the duties, and thus we may hope to retain with our prosperity, which seems assured, the good will and honor of our patrons, that we may, in part, share in the tributes of praise so justly given to the de- parted.

W. H. H. BINGHAM, L. G. HINCKLEY, HIRAM A. CUTTING,

Com.

ABRAHAM G. D. TUTHILL

was born at Oyster Pond, Long Island, and in due time chose to become an artist. To perfect himself, he spent seven years as a pupil of the great painter, Benjamin West, in London, and one year in Paris. Returning to this country, he spent a few years in Montpelier, where a sister resided, and where now there are to be found many beautiful specimens of his work. His artist life was mainly spent at Buffalo, Detroit, and other western cities ; but he returned to Montpelier, and died there, June 12, 1843, aged 67.

JOSHUA Y. VAIL

was one of the very early lawyers of Mont- pelier. He served awhile as Preceptor of Washington County Grammar School, and was County Clerk 1819-1839, 18 years. He was also Secretary of the Vermont Mu- tual Fire Insurance Company from the or- ganization in 1828 until 1850, and member and Secretary of the Council of Censors in I820. His wife was a devoted chris- tian mother, Mary M., sister of the artist Tuthill, and all of her children have been well connected. Two of her sons, Solon J. Y. and Oscar J., still reside in Montpe- lier, and two daughters survive, one at Newbury and one in the West-four' out of nine children. Mr. Vail died in 1854, in his 70th year; and his wife in 1876, aged 90. Both were born on Long Island.

THE WOOD FAMILY.

Late in the last century three brothers were born in Leominster, Mass., the eldest of whom spent half of his life in Mont- pelier, and the others much the largest part. They were Cyrus, John, and Zenas Wood. They were all of Puritan stock, and mem- bers of the first Congregational church in Montpelier.

CYRUS WOOD settled in Lebanon, N. H., about 1809, taking his brother John with him, who was then about 20 years of age. In 1814, both came to Montpelier and en- tered into partnership in the cabinet- making business, which was continued until the death of Cyrus, Nov. 25, 1840.

JOHN WOOD, born July 20, 1788, mar- ried Miss Mary Waterman, of Lebanon,

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N. H., who was truly a helpmeet for him, an industrious, pious and prudent woman. Bearing his share in the military burdens of his time, he became captain of Wash- ington Artillery, which was a high honor. But it was in the churches that he was most conspicuous. Long a deacon in the first Congregational church, he went to the Free church on its organization, and ou its dissolution, to the Methodist church. In all he was an earnest worker, instant and earnest in prayer and exhortation, and his pure, honest and loving life attested the sincerity of his religious convictions. He died Jan. 14, 1872, in his 84th year, leaving a son and daughter, the son being Thomas W. Wood, the now highly dis- tinguished artist.

ZENAS WOOD, born Jan. 1, 1793, came to Montpelier at a somewhat later date, and engaged in the stove and tin-ware business, in which he was quite success- ful. He had all the excellent character- istics of his brother John, but was some- what less demonstrative. He sympathized keenly with the sick and suffering, as the writer of this note had occasion to know by personal experience. Mr. Wood was a prudent business man, and for some years was a director in the old Bank of Montpelier. In the last great fire here his real estate was destroyed, and he went, a lone and sad man, to his affectionate daughters in St. Johnsbury, where he died Oct. 29, 1876, in his 84th year. E. P. W.

For notice of THOMAS W. WOOD, see post.

THE COTTRILL FAMILY-Corrections.

Mahlon Cottrill, born in Bridport, Vt., Aug. 29, 1797 ; died in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 20, 1864.

Catherine Smith Couch, his wife, born in Landaff, N. H., April 1, 1792; died in Montpelier, April 28, 1861.

Their children were : William H., born June 6, 1823, now a very popular hotel- keeper at Appleton, Wis. Lyman Hawley, born May 16, 1825, and died in Oregon, Nov., 1877. Charles Edward Huntington, born July 11, 1826; died Feb. 3, 1833. George Washington, born May 18, 1828; now a lawyer in N. Y. City. Henry Clay, born June 26, 1830 ; died Feb. 12, 1833. Jedd Philo C., born Apr. 15, 1832 ; now a lawyer in Milwaukee, Wis. Charles Mah- lon, born Oct. 20, 1834 ; now in Milwau- kee, Wis., and a prosperous man.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS-MONTPELIER.

COL. NATHAN LORD, Jr., commissioned colonel of the 6th Vt. regt., Sept. 16, 1861 ; resigned Dec. 16, 1862. Now resides in Cleaveland, Ohio.

COL. FRANCIS V. RANDALL, commis- sioned capt. of Co. F. 2d regt., May 25, 1861, promoted col. of the 13th regt., Sept. 24, 1862; mustered out of service July 21, 1863 ; enlisted and commissioned col. of the 17th regt. Feb. 10, 1864 ; mus- tered out of service July 17, 1865 ; remov- ed from Montpelier to Brookfield in 1877.

COL. PERLEY P. PITKIN, commissioned quartermaster of the 2d regt. June 6, 1861 ; promoted captain and assistant quarter- master of U. S. vols. Apr. 3, 1862, and subsequently to the rank of colonel and quartermaster of the depot department of the army of the Potomac; was chosen quartermaster general of Vt. after the close of the war, which office he held several years, and has since remained a resident of Montpelier.

LIEUT .- COL. EDWARD M. BROWN, adj. 5 regt. Sept. 16, 1861 ; promoted lieut .- col. of the 8th regt., Jan. 9, 1862 ; resigned Dec. 23, 1863. Col. Brown now resides in Bismarck, Dakota, receiving the appoint- ment of U. S. land agent, and removing thenre in 1873.

LIEUT .- COL. ANDREW C. BROWN, com- missioned lieut .- col. of the 13th regt., Aug. 25, 1862 ; resigned May 5, 1863, and continues to reside in Montpelier.

LIEUT .- COL. JOHN H. EDSON, commis- sioned lieut .- col. of the 10th regt. Aug. 27, 1862 ; resigned Oct. 16, 1862 ; resides elsewhere.

MAJ. JOHN D. BARTLETT, commissioned capt. of Co. C., Ist regt., Vt. cav., Oct. 14, 1861 ; promoted to major Nov. 18, 1861 ; resigned Apr. 25, 1862; removed to Mass. in 1870.

MAJ. JAMES S. PECK, commissioned 2d lieut. of Co. I. 13th regt., Aug. 25, 1862 ; promoted to adj't. Jan. 1863; mus- tered out July 21, 1863 ; enlisted as private in Co. E. 17 regt., Dec. 3, 1863 ; commis- sioned adj't. of the regt. Apr. 12, 1864; promoted major July 10, 1865 ; mustered

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 84

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