Biographies of Windsor County Vermont

History of Windsor County Vermont
Lewis Cass Aldrich published in 1891

ABBOTT, SOLOMON S ., was born in Barnard, December 4, 1814. His great-grandfather, Daniel, was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Stockbridge. He raised a large family. He died in Stockbridge. His wife survived him, and died in Stockbridge upwards of ninety years of age. Daniel, his son, born in Connecticut, married Eleanor Blodgett, They had ten children, only two of whom are living, viz.: Elam, living in Washington, on the Pacific Coast, and Amanda, wife of Reuben Whitcomb. Of these ten children, Daniel, father of S. S., was born in Randolph, Vt., January 1, 1789, and died in Stockbridge, aged seventy-three. He married Lucy Barnes, born in Barnard, November 20, 1787. Their children were Elvira, born January 16, 1812, widow of William Strong, and lives in Stockbridge; Solomon S.; Roxanna, born February 12, 1816, wife of Nelson Ellison, of Bethel, Vt.; Harrison, born August 14, 1820, farmer living in Stockbridge ; Lucy, born April 25, 1822, died August 28, 1824; Benjamin F., born November 23, 1824, died August 20, 1825; Daniel F., born December 17, 1827 ; Carpenter, lives in Rutland ; Lucy Celina, born August 25. 1830, wife of Amos Guernsey, lives in Pittsfield, Vt. Solomon S. married, March 10, 1842, Lucy L., daughter of Irad and Sally (Lyon) Taggart. Mrs. Abbott was born in Stockbridge, August 31, 1820. Their children were Elbridge l., born March 4, 1844 died in Michigan, October 23, 1884 ; Francilla S., born October 2, 1845, married Ira Holt, farmer living in Pittsfield, Vt.; Helen M., born April 25, 1848, died April 11, 1852; George L, born July 10, 1855, married June 10, 1879, Anna E. Cady ; they have two children, Samuel L. and Lucy M ; George L is a merchant in Ouechee, Vt; Lillie L., born July 6, 1857, died March 2, 1866; Roxanna, born June 30, 1860, married June 30, 1887, William M. Angier, a grocer merchant of Rutland ; she has one child, an infant; Fred S., born May 24, 1864, unmarried, living at home. Mr. Abbott has always been a resident of Stockbridge. a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have been members of the Stockbridge Congregational church for many years.  Biographie Index

ALDRICH, Hon JOSHUA MADISON , was born in Weathersfield, Vt., June 12, 1809, and was the son of Joshua and Lucretia (Gowing) Aldrich. His father emigrated from Westmoreland, N. H., to Weathersfield, and was by trade a carpenter, though he settled and carried on a part of the farm now occupied by Charles F. Aldrich. Our subject received only the benefits of a common school education. In politics, though originally a Whig, he afterwards acted with the Free Soil party, and upon the organization of the Republican party became one of its active members. He was deeply interested in freeing the slaves, and was one of the early exponents of anti-slavery principles. Mr. Aldrich was a civil magistrate for over twenty years, and besides holding the various town offices was a member of both branches of the Vermont Legislature. He became a member of the Baptist church in 1832, and was the first superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Perkinsville Baptist church. On October 5, 1837, Mr. Aldrich married Mary Williams, daughter of Rufus and Esther (Gile) Atwood. She was born in Chester, July 19, 1815. By this union there were five children, four of whom died in infancy; the survivor, Maria L, married O. D. Crockett, but died in 1883. Mr. Aldrich died May 27, 1880; his wife February 21, 1885. Upon the old homestead now resides Charles Frank Aldrich, the adopted son of the above couple. He was born in Springfield, Vt., March 28, 1843, and married Abbie L., daughter of Rev. Alvah Spaulding, who was for many years pastor of the Congregational church at Cornish Center, N. H. They have seven children, viz.: Charles Spaulding, Willis Wood, Mary Fidelia, Jessie Marion, Fannie Maria, James Madison, and Augustus Wheeler.  Biographie Index

AMSDEN, CHARLES , was born in West Windsor, Vt, May 6, 1832, being the youngest son of America and Nancy Amsden. Our subject's grandfather, Abel Amsden, came from Marlboro, Mass,, and cleared a fifty-acre farm in the town of Reading, Vt., locating on the same July 3, 1787. He had served four years in the Revolutionary army, and had taken part in some of the most important battles. He built a log house in Reading, also afterwards a brick tavern, and was for a long time its popular proprietor. He was a strong Universalist in his religious belief, and on settling in the town was accompanied by his father, Abram Amsden, who died in Reading. In 1821 he built a grist-mill and died in 1828, aged seventy-one years. Abel was married three times, and had sixteen children, ten of whom survived him. His youngest child, Mrs. Charlotte L. Hawkins, is the only living representative (1890) and resides in Reading. America, the son of Abel, was born in Reading, June 22, 1796. He spent his early life in his native town, but subsequently removed to West Windsor, and was engaged in farming. He married, first, Clarissa Davis, and their children all died in infancy. He married, second, Mrs. Nancy Ward, nee Child, and their two children, are Rollin, a resident of Windsor, Vt., and Charles. America Amsden was possessed of a genial disposition, and discharged faithfully and creditably all the duties of an American citizen. He was accidentally drowned October 4, 1869, during the great freshet. Mrs. Nancy Amsden, who by her longevity has become a historical character in Windsor county, was the youngest daughter of nine children of Daniel and Lydia Child, who were pioneer settlers of Westminster, Mass., where she was born July 20, 1790. When twenty-five years of age she married Jonas Ward, by whom she had three children, only one of whom, John Ward, a prominent lawyer at Detroit, Mich., is living. Her parents, in 1826, removed to Cavendish, Vt., and two years after she married America Amsden, the fruit of their union being the two sons mentioned above. Her centennial birthday was appropriately observed, she receiving on that day about one thousand guests, being seated in a bower of evergreens and flowers under an arch inscribed in evergreens, " 1790, Nancy Amsden, 1890." The subject of our sketch had no advantages of an education excepting what could be obtained at the district schools. He passed his early life on his father's farm and engaged in mercantile business in March, 1849, when he came to what is now Amsden, and engaged in the milling business. The following year he commenced operating the lime kiln, which business he has carried on ever since. As early as 1850 he carried on a general store, but built his present store in 1869. For years he has done a large jobbing business in flour and grain. In business circles in different parts of the State Mr, Amsden is also interested ; he is director of the National Black River Bank, also of the Home Scale Company, of Rutland; was for two years-1886-87-a director in the Rutland Railroad. In politics, a Republican, he has represented Weathersfield in the Legislature of 1870 and 1890; has been town treasurer since 1876, and postmaster since Amsden became a post-office, excepting when his political offices required him to resign a United States appointment. Mr. Amsden married, first, Miss Abby E. Crague, by whom he had one child, viz.: Mary Malvina, wife of Charles E. Woodruff, a flour and grain merchant of Woodstock, Vt. He married, second. Miss Mary L. Stackin, of Weathersfield.  Biographie Index

BALDWIN, ALBERT P ., the second son of Nahum and Philanda (Harvey) Baldwin, was born in Chester, February 22, 1818. His father was a native of Marlboro, N. H., and besides our subject had the following family: Edwin, who died in Oshkosh, Wis.; Fannie (deceased), married Oris Dwinell; Charles O., died at Hartford, Conn.; Silas, resides at Grafton, Vt.; and Maria Rosaline, died at the age of eight years. He followed farming for a livelihood and was unable to give our subject only the benefit of an education at the district schools When Albert was twenty years of age his father gave him his time and he worked as a farm laborer, receiving twelve dollars per month. His first employer settled with him by giving his note for $100, which Mr. Baldwin still holds for payment. But not being disheartened by his loss he made up his mind to save $100 a year, and at the age of twenty-five years he purchased a farm of Thomas Williams in the southern part of the town, his first payment being $500. He has always been engaged in farming, and after living in the southern part of the town for a number of years he removed to the Stedman farm, situated near Sawyersville. He built the present house on that farm and resided there fifteen years, when he removed to where he now lives. He is an active member of the Congregational Church. In politics a Republican, he has been called on by his townsmen to fill the offices of selectman and lister. He married October 27, 1842, Laurenza Sawyer, daughter of Thomas and Betsey (Sawyer) Williams. She was born in Chester, April 9, 1821. They had three children, viz.: Abbie, wife of George S. Robbins of Chester; Lizzie, died at the age of twenty-six years ; and George born in Chester, March 21, 1861, married Juliette Dwinell and has three children: Robert Dwinell, Elizabeth and Harold H. He resides in Chester. Mrs. Albert F. Baldwin died April 1, 1886.  Biographie Index

BAXTER, EDWARD K., M.D., of Sharon, was born in Barton, Orleans county, Vt.. February 3, 1840, the youngest in a family of seven children of Harry and Deborah (Steele) Baxter. Elihu, his grandfather, born in Norwich, Conn., 1749, died at Norwich, Vt., August 6, 1835. He married Tryphena Taylor, born in Norwich, Conn., 1762, died in Norwich, Vt, March 14, 1825. They had fifteen children, viz.: William, lawyer, practiced his profession in Brownington, Vt, and died there; Ira, lived and died at Norwich ; Elihu, physician in Portland, Me., where he died ; Chester, a prominent business man of Sharon, where he died; Tryphena, died in Monroe, Mich.; Lavina first, died in infancy; Erastus, died at Gorham, N. Y.; Lavina second and Climena, twins, the former died in infancy, the latter aged twenty; James, died at Stanstead, P. Q.; John, died at Lebanon, N. H.; Zilpha, wife of Dr. William Sweatt, of Union village, where she died ; Harry, died at Barton, Vt., March 10, 1852 ; Hiram, died aged six years; and Statira, died in Sharon. All were born in Norwich, Vt. Harry, above, born September 13, 1799, was twice married. His first wife was Deborah, daughter of Deacon Samuel Steele, of Sharon, and sister of Judge William Steele. Seven children were the issue of this marriage, viz. : William H., died at Burlington, Vt., January 4, 1886; Charles D., died in St. Louis, Mo., July 8, 1848; Don Carlos, a graduate of Dartmouth, and one of the editors of the New Orleans Bee, in which city he died, August 8, 1858 ; Ellen M., wife of J. H. French, living in Beloit, Wis. ; Susan F., died aged three years; Sophia S., is Mrs. F. B. Powell, of Woodstock, Vt.; and Edward K. Harry married second, Adaline W. Thompson, by whom he had three children, viz.: Carrie E., Mrs. N. T. Ayers, living in New York City; Harry G., died October 25, 1877; and Hattie A., living in New York City. Edward K. received an academic education at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H. ; studied medicine with Drs. Dixi and A. B. Crosby, of Hanover, N. H. ; attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical College and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, and graduated at Dartmouth Medical College in 1864. He has been assistant physician at the Hartford, Conn., Insane Retreat, and at Sanford Hall, Flushing, L. I. Dr. Baxter has been superintendent of schools in Sharon, and also represented the town in the General Assembly of the State in 1886. He married Sarah S., daughter of Colonel Gardner and Susan (Steele) Burbank, who was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., September 4, 1842. They have no children.  Biographie Index

BILLINGS, Hon. FREDERICK , the son of Oel Billings and Sophia Wetherbe, the fourth child of a family of nine children-six sons and three daughters - all of whom lived to adult age The Billings family is an old one, dating back to the time of Henry III., and numbering among its more distinguished members a Lord Chief Justice of England Mr. Billings' great-grandfather, Samuel Billings, of New London, Conn , was killed in the defense of Fort Griswold, in 1781; and his grandfather, John Billings, was also a soldier in the War of the Revolution. The latter married Nancy, the daughter of Governor Jonas Galusha of Vermont, and they had ten children, of whom Oel Billings, the father of Frederick, was one. Frederick Billings was born in Royalton, Vt., September 27, 1823. When he was twelve years old he removed with his father to Woodstock, which was thereafter the family home. He fitted for college at Meriden, N. H., and at the age of seventeen entered the University of Vermont, from which he graduated in August, 1844. Among his classmates in college were Bishop W. B. W. Howe of South Carolina, Judge C. L. Benedict of New York, the late Rev. M. M. Colburn and the late Hon. William Collamer of Woodstock. Young Billings was a brilliant scholar, and his wit and flow of spirits made him a favorite in college and social circles. After leaving college he studied law in the office of Hon. O. P. Chandler of Woodstock, and was admitted to the Windsor County Bar in 1848. He was appointed secretary of civil and military affairs by Governor Horace Eaton in 1846, and held that office during Governor Eaton's two terms as governor. In 1848 the California "gold fever" broke out and Mr. Billings' attention was especially directed to the new Eldorado by his brother-in-law, Captain B. Simmons, who was a ship captain and had made repeated voyages to the Pacific coast, and in February, 1849, in company with Captain and Mrs. Simmons, he went to San Francisco by the Isthmus route. Mrs. Simmons contracted Panama fever on the way and died four days after her arrival, and Captain Simmons died in San Francisco a year later. Mr. Billings opened the first law office in San Francisco and at once made his mark. It was at a time and in a place where success in his profession meant wealth and influence, and he rapidly acquired both. He became a partner in the leading law firm of San Francisco, that of Halleck, Peachy, Billings & Park, of which General Halleck, subsequently for a time general in chief of the Union armies, and Trenor W. Park were members. The law firm was dissolved in 1861, on Mr. Billing's going to England in company with General Fremont upon business connected with the General's great Mariposa estate. Mr. Billings was an influential and earnest actor in the exciting events of the formative period in the history of California, and active in the various movements for the establishment of law, order and the institutions of education, religion and civil government, through which the new State became a stable Christian commonwealth. He was especially active in defeating the conspirators who endeavored to detach California from the Union at the outbreak of the civil war, and in company with Starr King he made a tour of the State, in behalf of the National cause, everywhere electrifying the audiences which assembled to hear them by his patriotic appeals. Although he was an unusually impressive speaker and peculiarly fitted for a public career, Mr. Billings never cared to enter political life. He accepted the responsible position of attorney-general of California, but held no other political office, although often pressed to take nominations for such offices during his residence in San Francisco. After the re-election of President Lincoln, and while he was reconstructing his cabinet for his second term, the California delegation in Congress urged upon him the propriety of giving California a representative in the new cabinet, and unanimously recommended Mr. Billings for the place. Only two days before Mr. Lincoln was assassinated, he gave assurance to a member of the delegation that their request would be complied with. After Mr. Lincoln's death, the Legislature of California, then in session, unanimously passed a resolution requesting President Johnson to appoint Mr. Billings to his cabinet as a representative of the Pacific coast. These facts attest the high estimation in which Mr. Billings was held by the people of California at the time when he left that State to settle down in his old home in Vermont.

He remained a bachelor up to his thirty-ninth year. In March, 1862, he was married in New York to Julia, daughter of Dr. Eleazar Parmly, of that city. Soon after this event he closed up his business in San Francisco, and after a period spent in foreign travel, he returned in 1864 to Woodstock to make his home there. In 1869 he purchased the Marsh estate comprising the homestead of the late Charles Marsh, father of George P. Marsh, which occupied the most beautiful and conspicuous site in that beautiful village. Mr. Billings twice almost wholly reconstructed the mansion, and in the words of the historian of the town of Woodstock "he went on in making additions and improvements, till at length in the extent of territory, in the variety and orderly arrangement of the various parts of this wide domain and in the convenience and elegance of the buildings erected thereon, his home on the hill came to resemble one of the baronial estates of the old world, and is not surpassed in these respects, and in beauty of situation, by any similar establishment in New England." He became president of the Woodstock National Bank about this time, and took an active interest in business, and political and public affairs, both in Vermont and in the city of New York, where he had a handsome residence and spent his winters. In 1872 he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor of Vermont. It was the first convention held after the adoption of the biennial system and other changes in the constitution of our State. Mr. Billings was less known then than afterwards, and owing to various causes and complications attending the peculiar condition of Vermont politics, he failed, by only a vote or two, of the nomination. He accepted the situation in a manly and eloquent speech in the convention, at the close of which, had it been then possible to reverse the action of the body, he would have been nominated by acclamation. At no subsequent time would he consent to be a candidate for civil office. He, however, did not lose his interest in State and National politics, and in 1880 he was chosen as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, and presented the name of George F. Edmunds as the choice of the Republicans of Vermont for president in one of the finest and most striking speeches of that memorable convention. He was a prominent member of the Union League Club of New York City, and was known in New York and elsewhere as one of the strong supporters of the Republican party with voice and vote and purse. He was also a member of the Lawyers, Century and Down Town Clubs, of New York, and a member of the New York Chamber of Commerce. After the failure of Mr. Jay Cook in 1873, and the apparent collapse of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company Mr. Billings became interested in that great enterprise. He made extensive purchases of its stock and securities, then greatly depressed; he brought fresh capital to the coffers of the company, and became its president; the work of construction was resumed with vigor, the vast tracts of land granted by Congress were marketed, and the road was finally pushed through to completion. Shortly before the occurrence of this event, Mr. Billings disposed of enough of his interest in the company to the combination represented by Mr. Henry Villard, to give the latter control. But while the fame of the final actual accomplishment of the grand result thus fell to another, it remains true that Mr. Billings was the master spirit of the enterprise and the chief architect of its success. The transaction with Villard added several millions to Mr. Billing's ample fortune. The latest great commercial enterprise to which he gave his name and help was the Nicaragua Canal. He was one of the incorporators, and at the time of his death a director and chairman of the executive committee of the company. He was also a director or trustee in the following corporations, American Exchange National Bank, Farmer's Loan & Trust Company, Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, the Manhattan Life Insurance Company, the Manhattan Savings Institution, the Presbyterian Hospital, the Hospital for Ruptured and Crippled (all of New York City), the Connecticut River Railroad Company, the Vermont Valley and Sullivan County Railroads, the Connecticut and Passumpsic and the Rutland Railroad Companies. He was president of the Woodstock Railway Company and of the Woodstock National Bank.

Mr. Billings' attachment to his Vermont home was shown in many ways. He was a generous giver to all good objects in Woodstock. The Congregational Church there, of which he was a member, was an especial object of his love and care. He built its chapel at a cost of $15,000 as a memorial to his father and mother. He rebuilt the parsonage; and among his latest cares was the reconstruction of the church building which he transformed at an outlay of $40,000 into one of the most tasteful and appropriate church structures in all New England. Nothing, however, will cause Mr. Billings's name to be held in higher and more lasting remembrance than his gift to his alma mater, the University of Vermont. In 1867 he became a member of its board of trustees and held the office for six years. After the death of Hon. George P. Marsh, United States Minister to Italy, in 1882, Mr. Billings purchased his library, famous among scholars and philologists, gave it to the University, and signified at the same time his intention to erect a library building worthy of the Marsh collection and of the choice library of the University. He engaged the services of the greatest American architect, the late H. H. Richardson, and the Billings Library stands the noble monument of his munificence, the pride of the city of Burlington, and the admiration of every visitor. It represents, including the cost of the Marsh collection and Mr. Billings's gifts of money for the purchase of books and for cataloguing and an endowment fund of $50,000, an outlay of nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Mr. Billings also, during the last year of his life, gave $50,000 to Amherst College, and $50,000 to Mr. Moody's School at Northfield, Mass. He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Vermont at its last commencement. Seven children were the fruit of Mr. Billings's marriage, all, save the oldest, born in Woodstock. His oldest son, Parmly, died in 1888. The third son, Ehrick, died in 1889. Mrs. Billings, with the other children, Laura, Frederick, Mary, Elizabeth and Richard survive him, to mourn the loss of one of the most affectionate and beloved of husbands and fathers. Mr. Billings' health had been impaired for many years. His life was prolonged by rigid dieting and skillful medical care; but his disease made very serious inroads upon his strength and spirits. A partial stroke of paralysis, due to enfeebled action of the heart, last winter, gave a distinct premonition of the end. From this he rallied sufficiently to be taken to Woodstock, and to ride out at times; but as the summer wore away his strength declined, and towards the last he became a great sufferer from angina pectoris. He was conscious of his condition during all his illness and contemplated the end, which he knew might come suddenly at any moment, with Christian resignation and hope. He died September 30, 1890, and Vermont lost one of her foremost citizens and the world a noble man.

Mr. Billings was one of the remarkable men of the present half century. For more than a generation, ever since in 1848 he went with the Argonauts to California, he has been prominent in one or another of many of the great national enterprises which have made this age memorable. He had the two distinct capacities which are rarely united in the same man, the capacity to organize and to execute. When the man appears who can combine these two functions, opportunities seek him, power comes to him, labors and responsibilities accumulate upon him. Mr. Billings died too early by twenty years for a man of his constitutional vigor, from overwork. A friend spoke the truth of him when he said that Mr. Billings could not live longer because he had lived three lives already. Work came not only because of his abilities, but also because of his principles, his tastes, his enthusiasms. He was as eager in matters relating to learning, education, art, politics, charity and religion, as he was in matters of business. In fact he made all these interests a part of his business. In California, in New York, in Vermont, his extensive financial and railroad occupations did not so exhaust him but that he could find time and thought for churches, colleges, books, pictures even bric-a-brac and flowers. He was a man of universal sympathy. There is hardly anything good in human life into which he did not put some of his best thought and feeling and will. In many fields outside of his specialties he excelled. His literary taste was exquisite. His appreciation of works of genius in all departments was discriminating and his enjoyment of them keen. He was an orator of rare power. He could electrify a vast assembly in a political convention, and he could move and edify a prayer meeting. His ideas of education were so sound and comprehensive and scholarly, that he was at one time urged to take the presidency of the University of California. He might had he chosen have gone to the United States Senate from California, in such high esteem were his statesmanlike qualities held by his fellow citizens of that State. In all these fields Mr. Billings was admirable-in many even great. But he was at his best in his social and religious character. In his home he was the most affectionate of men. He was a loving brother and devoted son. In his prosperity he was thoughtful for the welfare of all his relatives, especially of his parents, for whom he provided every comfort which his loving care could devise. He took great delight in the society of his neighbors and townsmen. Coming every year to his beautiful home in Woodstock, he became more and more attached to it and its surroundings. He was fond of being known as "Frederick Billings of Woodstock." He took intense and ever-growing delight in those rural scenes and associations and companionships which every natural heart enjoys. Mr. Billings was deeply and warmly religious. He had the simple strong faith in divine realities which large, generous natures usually have. It was at one time his purpose to enter the Christian ministry; and though he seemed to be providentially diverted from that career, he never ceased to regret the change in his course as a privation, and throughout his life in all religious activities and ministrations, he was actually more than half a clergyman, and always a minister. Of his benefactions we need not speak more at length, at least to our Vermont readers. Every one knows of them that they are not more admirable for their magnitude and variety, than for the modest, beautiful and loving spirit with which they were bestowed. Rarely in our day has Christian stewardship been so admirably exemplified. While all who have known how extreme have been Mr. Billings's sufferings during the last months will breathe a sigh of relief that he has entered into rest, there will be deep sorrow in many hearts that the world has lost such a man, has lost so much energy, so much magnanimity, so much affection, has lost such a noble example of well rounded Christian manliness. Surely such a life cannot fail in some measure to reproduce itself in other lives made better by its example and inspiration.  Biographie Index

BISBEE, AARON , was born in Springfield, January 21, 1815. His grandfather, Captain Abner Bisbee, was prominently identified with the early settlement of Springfield, and married Mary, daughter of George Hall, who was also an early settler of the town. Elisha, his father, was born in Springfield, Vt., and married Mary Grout, of Weathersfield, Vt. They had a family of fifteen children, Aaron being the eighth child and fifth son. His education was limited to the district schools of his native town, his early life being spent on his father's farm. At the age of nineteen he went West, locating at Ann Arbor, Mich., which place was then in its infancy. Remaining there till 1839, he returned to Vermont, and was for a number of years engaged in the foundry business at Brandon. At the death of his father he purchased the old homestead in Springfield, and engaged in farming. In 1853 he went to Oswego, N. Y., engaged in the roofing business, and finally went to Buffalo, and for one year was connected with his brother-in-law, under the firm name of Warren & Bro., in the manufacture of roofing material. He afterwards removed to Long Island City, N. Y., and was for twenty years connected with the Warren Chemical Manufacturing Company at Hunter's Point, Long Island, and was for many years superintendent of their works. During this time he was also identified with the Warren Bros. Oil Company, M. M. Steel & Co.,at Long Island, Bisbee & Steele, of New Jersey, who were engaged in the gravel roofing business, and E. B. Warren, of Washington, D. C, in the appliance and manufacture of roofing material. He returned to his native town in 1875, where he resided until his death. In politics he was a Democrat. Mr. Bisbee was but once a candidate for political honors. On the organization of Long Island City, at the earnest request of his party friends, he consented to be their nominee on the Citizens ticket for mayor, but was defeated by a small majority. He married, January 21, 1844, Elvira F., daughter of Jesse and Betsey (Jackson) Warren. She was born in Dedham, Mass., February 10, 1817. They had two children: Charles Eugene resides in Springfield, and Fred Warren died unmarried. Mr. Bisbee died September 14, 1882.  Biographie Index

BROCKWAY, JOHN . Edward Brockway, grandfather of John, was born in Hartford, Conn., July 21, 1737, and married Mary Ely, May 1, 1760. Their children were Azuba, Mary, John N., Edward, jr., Clara, Bridget, and Lucinda. Edward Brockway's first wife died February 23, 1796. He married, second, February 23, 1800. Martha Morgan, who died August 27, 1824. He died October 5, 1828. John N, Brockway, their third child, and father of John, was born in Hartford, Vt, November 29, 1766, and married Hannah Simonds. Their children were William Ely, born February 16, 1791 ; Sally, born August 30, 1792; Linus, born August 1, 1794, died January 9, 1796; Linus, 2nd, born May 17, 1796, died in 1799; Lyman, born December 5, 1798, died July, 1833 ; Desire, born November 18, 1801 ; Mary, born May 8, 1803; Simon, born February 11, 1806; and John, born April 21, 1807.

All these children, except the eldest two, were born in Sharon, Vt, and all except Lyman raised families and settled in Windsor county, and with the exception of Simon, who died in Randolph, Orange county, died in Windsor county. John N. died in Hartford, October 28, 1842 ; his wife, Hannah, there in 1855. John Brockway was twelve years old when his father purchased of John Udall the farm in the east part of Pomfret and moved there from Sharon in 1819. The farm then consisted of 300 acres, but by subsequent purchase by John and his son Henry it now embraces 700 acres, a portion of which is in the town of Hartford. In 1836 John bought the farm of his father, and carried it on until his death. He married, first, January 1, 1834, Desire M. Simonds, of Bridgewater, born January 26, 1808, who died in Pomfret, September 2, 1844. He married, second, Ann H., daughter of Daniel and Lydia (Hawkes) Gile, September 17, 1847. She was born in Enfield, N. H., February 19, 1818. The children by the first marriage were William L., born October 21, 1837, married November 16, 1858, Lydia A. Williams. He lives in Lynn, Mass. Sarah A., born June 8, 1837, married November 9. 1860, Andrew Lamb. The latter died November 23, 1884. Mrs. Lamb makes her home with her brother, George C. Brockway. Julia A., born September 22, 1838, married, March 25, 1872, Carlos Hazen, and resides in Lowell, Mass. John S., born September 20, 1840, married November 16, 1869, Mary Gibson. He died December 31, 1871. Children by the second marriage were: Daniel G., born October 4, 1847, married June 15, 1874, Fanny Howe, of Manchester, N. H. Her father, Dr. L. B. Howe, is Professor of Anatomy in the Medical Department of Dartmouth College. Daniel G. was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1870 and from the Medical Department of New York University in 1873, settled in Lebanon, N. H., in 1874, and has practiced his profession there since. George C, born September 1, 1849, married November 8, 1881, Emma Stone, born August 12, 1860, in Hartford. He was educated in the Kimball Union Academy, Norwich Academy, and two years in the Scientific Department of Dartmouth. In 1890 he was elected representative from Hartford. He owns and carries on a farm in West Hartford. His children are John, born September 23, 1882 ; Anna Laura, born June 24, 1884; Jennie Hazen, born December 23, 1885. Henry, born April 23, 1852, married, October 18. 1883, Flora Doyle, of Royalton, born January 6, 1866. He prepared for college in Norwich and Kimball Academies, and was graduated from the Scientific Department of Dartmouth in 1874. He is the owner of and carries on the homestead farm. He is justice of the peace, town lister, and was the representative of the town in the State Legislature in 1888. His children are Daniel, born November 5, 1884; Andrew L., born November 13, 1886; and William L., born April 22, 1888. John Brockway was one of Pomfret's most successful farmers. He was for many years selectman, town lister, and was town representative in the Legislature in 1870-71. He was often employed in settlement of estates, and enjoyed in the highest degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen. He died at his residence in Pomfret, January 8, 1887. His widow survives him, and lives with her son, Henry, at the homestead.  Biographie Index

BRUCE, Captain H. N. , was born in Pomfret June 29, 1836. His grandfather, Jesse Bruce, emigrated from Scotland, and settled in Sheldon, Franklin county, Vt, and died in Pomfret. He had three children who reached adult age, viz.: Selah, went when young to Cumberland, Me., and it is not known what became of him; Rosamund, married, first, a Mr. Doton, second, Ebenezer Winslow, died in Pomfret, and Mrs. Samuel Weeden, of East Bethel, is her only surviving child; and Harvey, the father of Captain Bruce. Harvey was born in Sheldon, Vt., May 17, 1794. He married January 3, 1819, Betsey Doton, born in Pomfret December 24, 1799. Their children were Adaline, born November 1, 1819, wife of James Winn, died in Windsor, Vt., in 1863; Valeria, born February 26, 1830, died July 8, 1835; Elmina, born August 17, 1831, married, first, Edward M. Patridge, second, Hannibal Totman, and died February 3, 1891, in Woodstock, leaving three children by her first husband, Edward Bruce and Lucien Bruce of New England City, N. D., and Herbert A. of Weston, Vt. ; Harvey N., born April 22, 1829, died March 11, 1831; and Harvey N., subject of this sketch. Harvey, the father, died in Pomfret July 4, 1854; his wife there August 3, 1863. Captain Bruce received his education in the district schools of Pomfret, and at the Green Mountain Liberal Institute at South Woodstock where he fitted for college. He made surveying a special study and practiced under Hosea Doton, the celebrated teacher of Pomfret. The death of his parents and the coming on of the war prevented the carrying out of his design of entering college. He was a member of the Woodstock Light Infantry at the breaking out of the war and he enlisted for three months in that company as corporal, April 20, 1861. He was promoted sergeant and received his discharge in the August following. He was commissioned by Governor Frank Holbrook third lieutenant of the same company July 17, 1862. August 27, 1862, he enlisted as private in Company G, Sixteenth Vermont Regiment, and was elected its captain September 4, 1862, and served in that capacity until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He received his discharge August 10, 1863. In the fall of the same year he was elected representative in the Legislature from Pomfret, and was re-elected in 1864. He was sitting in that body at the time of the St. Albans " raid," and when on receipt of the news a company of one hundred of the members was raised in two hours to go to its relief, Captain Bruce was elected first lieutenant of it. He was wounded by a shell in the left breast, at Berlin, Md., after the battle of Gettysburg. He receives a pension, on account of an injury to the spine, received while employed in the repair of railroad bridges. He married, first, September 10, 1863, Jane A., daughter of Daniel Tinkham of Pomfret. They had two children, viz.: Mary, wife of Winifred Perkins, a farmer living in Barnard. They have three children : Robert Bruce, William Henry and J. Neuville. Isadore T., wife of Harry V. Wakefield, a merchant in North Danville, Vt. They have two children, Helen May and Bruce Varney. Captain Bruce married second, Abbie M., daughter of Paul and Adaline (Gale) Crowell. Mrs. Bruce was born in Barnard. Captain Bruce owns and carries on the Bruce homestead in Pomfret, also the Crowell homestead in Barnard. He has been justice of the peace, selectman and town superintendent of schools in Pomfret. He is an ex-commander of the G. A. R. Sheridan Post at Woodstock and George J. Stannard Post, Vermont City, South Dakota. With the exception of about four years in Vermont City, South Dakota, and New England City, North Dakota, he has been a resident of Vermont. He traveled much in the Northwest as a committee to select a site for a colony of old soldiers, where they could get their government land and found a town. The selection was made in South Dakota, fifty miles east of the Missouri river, and the place was named Vermont City and is now a fine farming and railroad town. Afterwards, at the solicitation of many other would-be settlers, he selected the site for New England City, on the Cannon Ball river, 110 miles west of the Missouri, in the southwest part of North Dakota. As manager, and in connection with others, he established a thriving colony in that fine valley. The death of Judge Gay and Colonel Mead, of the directors, leaving the majority in the hands of speculative Boston directors. Captain Bruce withdrew and came back to Vermont to reside.  Biographie Index

CALL JOSEPH A ., the only son in a family of eleven children of Ira and Hannah (Hastings) Call, was born in Colerain, Mass., December 19, 1828. His father was a farmer, and our subject received only the benefit of a common school education. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to learn the trade of weaver in C. T. Shattuck's cotton-mill, located in his native town. At the age of twenty-one he was overseer of the weave-room, and afterwards became superintendent of the works. In 1865 he acquired a quarter interest in the mill, the firm being then Shattuck & Whitton, and retained his interest till 1869, when he removed to Perkinsville and became an equal owner in the cotton-mills at that place, under the firm name of Whitton & Call. This firm suffered disastrous losses in the flood of 1869, and at the death of the senior partner in 1873 Mr. Call became sole owner and carried on the works successfully till 1886, when he retired from active business. In politics a Republican, Mr. Call was never an aspirant for political honors. He married, July 5, 1848, Emily, daughter of Charles and Philana (Lyon) Elmer. She was born in Ashfield, Mass., September 3, 1829. They had three children, viz.: Ira, died at two years of age ; Edwin I., born in Colerain, October 10, 1857, married Adelaine, daughter of George C. and Emily (Houghton) Shedd ; they have one child, Fred E.; and Joseph W., born in Weathersfield, February 10, 1873. The two brothers carry on the business on the site occupied by their father under the firm name of Call Manufacturing Company. Mr. Call died February 4, 1889.  Biographie Index

CHASE, Dr. ROLLA MINER , was born September 4, 1854, in Royalton, Vt. His great-grandfather, Moses Chase, born in Sutton, N. H., removed from Sutton and settled in Williamstown, Vt., and from thence to Rochester, Vt., where he died. He had two children, Simeon and Abner. The latter, grandfather of the Doctor, born in Sutton, married, first, Susan Slade, daughter of John Slade, of Brookfield, Vt. He married, second, Hannah Slade, sister of his first wife. The children by the first marriage were, Lovina, wife of Oliver Smith, died in Rochester; Joel, died in infancy; and Joel, second, also died in infancy. The children by the second marriage were Mary, wife of Hiram Thurston, died in Palatine, 111.; Moses, father of the Doctor; Fanny, is the wife of Lester Gay and lives in Oregon ; Lyman, died aged sixteen. Abner Chase died ill Rochester, his first wife in Ohio and his second in Rochester. Moses Chase, father of the Doctor, born in Rochester, April 30, 1821, married November 15, 1846, Rosina, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Scales) Hill, born in Sharon, Vt., April 4, 1823. He passed his minority in Rochester. After marriage he resided two years in Lowell, Mass., two years in Pomfret, Vt, seven years in Royalton, Vt, and in 1857 settled in Bethel, Vt., where he has since resided-a carpenter and joiner by trade, but for the last thirty years has followed farming. He has four children, viz.: Dr. Moses Roscoe, born in Pomfret, May 10, 1849, married Eva Graves and has one child, Hervey. He is a dentist living in Ludlow, Vt. Flora Rosina, born July 17, 1850, is the wife of Wallace Keyes living in Riverdale, Neb. She has two children, Jessie R. and Nathan Moses. Fanny, born October 25, 1851, is the wife of Henry C. Dunham, farmer, living in the Indian Territory. She has one child, Leon C. Dr. Rolla Miner Chase received his primary education in the public schools of Bethel. When eighteen years of age he commenced the study of dentistry with Dr. F. M. Celley at Bethel, and continued study with him two years. In November, 1874, he entered the Boston Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1876, receiving the degree of D. D S. The same year he opened an office in Bethel for the practice of his profession. While practicing his profession he took up the study of medicine and entered the Baltimore Medical College in 1890, and was graduated from that institution April 15, 1891, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The object of the Doctor's study of medicine was not with the intent of practicing the profession, but the more fully to equip himself in the practice of his chosen profession of dentistry. The inventive faculty, early developed, has been utilized by the Doctor in his profession. He is the patentee of a number of useful inventions in dentistry, prominent among which are Chase's Wedge Forcep, Chase's Combination Plate, and a Rubber Heater, patents of recognized utility and used generally by the profession throughout the country. Chase's Portable Fire Escape is another of the Doctor's inventions. Dr. Chase was one of the organizers of the State Dental Society in 1876, was its president one year, and on its executive committee several years. After the State Dental Law was enacted in 1882 he was appointed, by the governor of the State, one of five, constituting the Examining Board, a position he has held since, being secretary and treasurer of the Board since its organization. The Doctor is State editor of the Archives of Dentistry, a dental journal published in St. Louis, Mo., is a member of the New England Dental Society also a member of the Vermont Medical Society. He was a member of the International Medical Congress held at Washington, D. C, in 1888. He married June 18, 1879. Susan Elizabeth, daughter of Cornelius and Mary (Berry) Newell. Mrs. Chase was born June 14, 1855. They have two children: George Berry, born June 19, 1881; Susie Newell, born April 15, 1882.  Biographie Index

COLLAMER, Judge JACOB , was born in Troy, N. Y., January 8, 1791, one of a family of three sons and five daughters. His father was of colonial English origin, his ancestors being among the earliest settlers of Massachusetts. His mother was colonial Dutch. His father was a house carpenter. He moved from Troy to Burlington, Vt, when Jacob was about four years old, and there he spent the residue of his life. As Jacob advanced in boyhood, his instinctive impulses, encouraged by the faculty of the college (Vermont University), caused him to aspire to a place in those halls of learning, and he prepared for entrance, under the instruction of some members of the faculty, at so early an age as to be admitted in 1806, at the age of about fifteen and a half years. He was the youngest member of his class, save one, the late Hon. Norman Williams, who was about nine months the younger. The class consisting of seventeen, graduated in 1810. On graduating, he commenced the study of law and pursued it in St. Albans, under Mr. Langworthy and Hon. Benjamin Swift, subsequently a senator from Vermont in Congress, and was admitted to the bar in 1813. In 1812 he was drafted into the detailed militia service, and served during the period of the draft as lieutenant of artillery in the frontier campaign. On being admitted to the bar, he visited Barre, in the hope of arranging a business connection with Dennison Smith, then already established there as a young lawyer in successful practice. While there, an incident occurred which he used to relate with a mirthful relish. Mr. Smith was to attend a justice trial in a neighboring town; young Collamer accompanied him, to avail himself of an opportunity to make his first argument in the trial of a cause. It was in the winter season. He wore a long surtout. In riding to the court they got upset, and Collamer's pants suffered such an unseemly rent that he was compelled to wear the surtout throughout the trial. In due time they left, and on getting to his quarters, he betook himself to his bed, while his friend Smith got the unfortunate breech repaired. With such a debut, he entered upon the career that bore him to the summit of professional and public renown. Not making the proposed arrangement, he went to Randolph Center and opened an office, doing such professional work as he could get to do, and helping his income by collecting what is known as the United States' "war tax." In 1814 he was aide to General French and went forward with him and the forces under his command to join the army at Plattsburgh, arriving however in the evening just after the battle was over. Inducements presented themselves which led Judge Collamer to remove to Royalton, Vt, in 1816, and there he remained till April, 1836, when he removed to Woodstock to reside during the remainder of his life. In the early years of his professional life, he held the office of register of probate. On the 13th day of July, 1817, he was married at St. Albans, to Miss Mary Stone. He four times represented Royalton in the Legislature in the years 1821, 1822, 1827, and 1828. He was State's Attorney for the county of Windsor for the years 1822, 1823 and 1824. At the Commencement anniversary of his Alma Mater in 1828, he delivered the oration before the Phi Sigma Nu Society, which was printed by order of the society. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of January, 1836, which amended the constitution by creating the Senate as a branch of the Legislature. That amendment has ever been largely attributed to the ability and zeal with which he urged it. In 1833 he was elected one of the assistant judges of the Supreme Court. The bench was filled by Williams, Chief Judge Royce, Phelps, Collamer, and Mattocks. Judge Collamer remained on the bench till 1842, when he declined a re-election. On leaving the bench he opened an office and resumed the practice of the law in Woodstock, and did not entirely abandon it except while he was postmaster-general and circuit judge of Vermont, though after 1848 he did not hold himself out for general business, nor keep an open office. In November, 1843, he was elected a representative in Congress. After three elections the judge declined a fourth, closing his membership of the lower house of Congress with the 3rd day of March, 1849. He was then selected for postmaster-general in General Taylor's cabinet, and held the office till the death of the president in July, 1850. In 1849 he was the first of her graduates to be honored by his Alma Mater with the degree of Doctor of Lawn. In 1855 he received the like honor from Dartmouth. On the breaking up of the Taylor Cabinet Judge Collamer returned home with his family, and by the Legislature that fall he was elected Circuit Judge, which office he held until he was elected Senator in Congress in October, 1854, to which office he was again elected in October, 1860. He was wearing his senatorial robes with ever increasing dignity and grace, till, on the evening of the 9th day of November, 1865, he " Wrapped the drapery of his couch about him, And lay down to pleasant dreams," He died at his home in Woodstock. But few citizens of Vermont have been called to so many positions of trust and honor as was Jacob Collamer, and few, indeed, have performed such varied duties with stricter fidelity, with more marked ability, or reflected greater honor upon the State than he did. Some of her public men may have shone with a greater brilliancy, but none with a steadier or more enduring light. As lawyer and judge in Vermont, as representative of the State in both houses of the national legislative body, he easily ranked among the foremost men of his time. In pursuance of an act of the Legislature of Vermont in 1872, a statue of Judge Collamer, executed by Preston Powers, son of Hiram Powers, (a native of Windsor county, Vt.) was placed in the National Statuary Hall at Washington, D. C. The only other citizen of Vermont having received a like honor from the State being that of General Ethan Allen. Mary (Stone) Collamer, wife of Judge Collamer, died at her residence in Woodstock. Vt., May 10, 1870. Three children of Judge Collamer are now living, viz.: Mrs. Harriet A. Johnson, widow of Eliakim Johnson ; Mrs. Mary C. Hunt, widow of Horace Hunt; and Frances Collamer. The four children who are deceased were Elizabeth, twin sister of Mrs. Hunt; William, died unmarried ; Edward, and Ellen C, was the wife of Thomas G. Rice. His grandchildren living are Hon. William E. Johnson, of Woodstock, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Woodard, Louise L. McKenzie, children of Mrs. Johnson ; Mary F. Collamer, daughter of Edward; Henry G. and Mary, children of Ellen C. Rice. Biographie Index

COOK, SELDEN , is descended from Thomas Cook, who came from Johnston, R. I., to Springfield about 1795. He married Mrs. Betsey Turner, whose maiden name was Cook. They had a family of seven children, viz.: Hopestill died aged two years; Edward removed to Canada, where he died ; Oliver died in infancy ; Oliver ; Whipple died in Canada ; Otis died in Springfield; and Charlotte, who died single aged eighty years, Thomas, the pioneer settler in Windsor county, died in New York State. Oliver, mentioned above, who was the father of our subject, was born in Johnston, R. I., August 29, 1781, and married in 1804 Polly, daughter of Joseph and Philadelphia (Wheeler) Bruce. Her parents were early settlers of Baltimore, Vt. They were Quakers and died the same day, and were buried in the same grave. Her grandfather was an aid on General Washington's staff during the Revolution. Oliver and Polly (Bruce) Cook had eight children, viz.: Barna A. resides in Chester, Vt.; Selden ; Seymour O. died in Chester ; Mary Ann died single ; Franklin B. died young; Charlotte R., widow of Rev. Isaiah Shipman. lives at Lisbon, N. H.; Lewis E. died in North Springfield, Vt; Susan B., widow of Solomon Winchester, resides in North Springfield. Oliver died August 20, 1863. Selden, of the above family, was born in North Springfield, May 4, 1808. He spent his early life on his father's farm, attending the district schools, and at the age of twenty-one commenced his mercantile life. He was for two years engaged in the shoe business at Proctorsville, Vt., after which he came to Springfield, and was until his death a merchant in that town. In politics originally a Whig, he joined the Republican party on its organization. Mr. Cook married, January 15, 1829, Mary, daughter of Edmund and Rachel (Barlett) Bachelder. She was born in Baltimore, Vt., November 14, 1808. They were both members of the Congregational Church of Springfield for over forty years. They had a family of seven children: Mary Ellen, born in Cavendish, June 5, 1830, died August 6, 1832 ; Rosella, born in Springfield, November 21, 1833, died August 31, 1842; Selden, jr., born in Springfield, December 25, 1834, died December 26, 1835 ; Ellen Maria, born in Springfield, February 7, 1840, widow of Colonel O. S. Tuttle, resides in her native town ; George Selden, born in Springfield, September 27, 1841, lives at Bellows Falls, Vt.; Adams Perkins, born in Springfield, October 2, 1844, died August 26, 1846; and Everett B , born in Springfield. January 30, 1852, married Jennie O. Wolfe. They have two children, Bernice May and Bruce. He is a boot and shoe merchant in Springfield Selden died January 16, 1882; his wife February 24, 1872. Biographie Index

COOLIDGE, Governor CARLOS , was born in Windsor, Vt, June 25, 1792. His genealogy is as follows: Richard, born in 1666, died October 23, 1732. His wife's name was Susanna. She died October 20, 1736, aged sixty-six years. Nathaniel, born in 1700, died 1766, married Grace, daughter of Nathaniel and Anne Bowman, and had five children, of whom Nathaniel, their eldest son, born December 7, 1728, married Dorothy Whitney, who died July 29, 1818, aged eighty-five years. He died December 24, 1773. They had six children, viz.: Susanna, Mary, Daniel, Nathaniel, Grace, and Nathan, father of Carlos, born December 6, 1766, married Betsey Curtis March 20, 1791; the latter was born May 2, 1760, died December 27, 1822. They had three children : Carlos, Mary, born October 15, 1793, died November 30, 1814, and Betsey, born November 17. 1801, died October 26, 1874. Governor Carlos Coolidge was graduated from Middlebury College with honor, in a class that contained such men as the late Hon. Charles Davis, judge of the Supreme Court of Vermont, Judge Jacob Lansing of Albany, N. Y., Rev. Joel H. Linsley. D.D., of Greenwich, Conn., and others equally prominent. He read law at the outset with the Hon. Peter Starr of Middlebury, and completed his studies, preparatory to admission to the bar in Windsor county, with the late Hon. Jonathan H. Hubbard of Windsor. He commenced the practice of his profession in Windsor in 1814 and continued it for a period of more than fifty years. He was the recipient of many tokens of popular favor from citizens of his own county and State. He was State's attorney for the county of Windsor from 1831 to 1S36, and representative from Windsor to the General Assembly from 1834 to 1837, and from 1839 to 1843. He was elected speaker of the House of Representatives in 1836 and from 1839 to 1842, in which capacity he presided with unsurpassed dignity and urbanity. He was elected governor of Vermont in 1848, and reelected in 1849. He was Senator from Windsor county in 1854 and reelected in 1855. He was one of the electors at large from Vermont in 1844, who indicated their preference for Henry Clay as President of the United States. In 1849 he received from his alma mater, Middlebury College, the well earned compliment of the degree of LL. D. This brief recital of some of the responsible posts to which Governor Coolidge attained without solicitation on his part, gives a faint idea of the character and attainments of the man. Governor Coolidge was, par excellence, a Christian gentleman. In his private and public life he bore himself without ostentation, with remarkable urbanity towards all, and discharged every public and private trust with thoroughness and ability. He died in Windsor, August 15, 1866. The Governor married September 22, 1817, Harriet, daughter of Walter and Sarah (Gilbert) Bingham, born in Claremont. N. H., April 6, 1796, died June 6, 1877. They had two children, Mary and Harriet. The latter died June 5, 1831, aged five years. Mary, born June 29, 1818, married January 27, 1845, the Rev. Franklin Butler. Biographie Index

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