Vermont

Biography of Abiathar Richards

Abiathar Richards, born October 8, 1825, in Newport, was a prominent merchant and a descendant of Edward Richards, an early settler in Dedham, Massachusetts. Educated locally and at Windsor Academy, he entered the mercantile profession at seventeen, later establishing a successful general store in Newport. After retiring in 1895, he enjoyed a quiet life at home. Married to Esther A. Durant, he had two sons. A Democrat and active Mason, Richards is remembered as a respected citizen and a significant figure in his community.

Biography of Oscar F. Richardson

Oscar F. Richardson, born on January 2, 1835, in Southbridge, Vermont, was the son of Hazen and Zilby Richardson. After working in woollen mills and then as an agent for the C. C. Railroad, he held various positions including superintendent of Penacook Park and roles in Concord’s police force. Despite his desire to serve in the Civil War, he prioritized his family duties. Married to Nealy Clough in 1871, he had three children and is remembered as a respected and dedicated citizen of Concord.

Biography of John P. Rounsevel

John P. Rounsevel, born January 2, 1815, in Unity, N.H., was a notable wool buyer in Claremont. The youngest son of Royal and Betsey Rounsevel, he excelled in education but faced health challenges that limited his academic pursuits. Rounsevel’s diverse career included teaching, trading, and successful wool-buying during the Civil War. He served as Vice-President of the Sullivan Savings Bank for decades and participated in local governance. He married Sarah Jane Bailey and had one son, Charles W. Rounsevel passed away on May 1, 1897.

Biography of Captain Eleazar L. Sarsons

Captain Eleazar L. Sarsons, born on August 9, 1836, in Lyme, New Hampshire, was a notable Civil War veteran. His father emigrated from France, and Sarsons himself joined the First Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in 1861, later serving in the Fourth New Hampshire Regiment. He faced numerous battles and was imprisoned for seven months, suffering severe illness before being released. After the war, he became a successful farmer in Acworth, marrying twice and having four children. Sarsons was active in local politics and fraternal organizations.

Biography of Edward Payson Skinner, Jr.

Edward Payson Skinner, Jr., born on February 8, 1856, in Windsor, Vermont, became a prominent businessman, specializing in fish and groceries. He grew up on his family farm and transitioned to mercantile trade around 1893, establishing Windsor’s only fish market. His lineage includes notable ancestors such as Captain Benjamin Skinner, a Revolutionary War veteran. Edward married Ella Hill, and they had a son, Curtis, who sadly passed away in 1887. His reputation for integrity earned him the trust of the community and a promising business career.

Biography of George Henry Stowell

George Henry Stowell, born on October 28, 1835, in Cornish, N.H., became a prominent hardware dealer and one of Claremont’s wealthiest citizens. After starting his career in monument making, he shifted to hardware in 1864, establishing a successful business. Stowell contributed significantly to Claremont’s infrastructure, including several business blocks and residences, and was a director of the Peoples National Bank. He held numerous town and state offices, was active in local organizations, and was married to Sarah E. Field, with a daughter Cora.

Biography of Nathaniel Tolles, M.D.

Nathaniel Tolles, M.D., born September 17, 1805, in Weathersfield, Vermont, became a distinguished physician and surgeon in Claremont. He pursued medical studies under notable doctors and graduated from Dartmouth in 1830. After practicing in Reading, Vermont, he moved to Claremont in 1842, contributing to local healthcare and education, including the establishment of Stevens High School. Married twice, he had five children, with his son Clarence also becoming a physician. Dr. Tolles passed away on June 24, 1879, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

Biography of Stephen Alden Tracy

Stephen Alden Tracy was born on October 31, 1833, in Cornish, the descendant of one of America’s oldest families, tracing back to Lieutenant Thomas Tracy, who settled in Connecticut in 1636. Stephen’s father, Stephen Tracy, was a cabinet-maker and farmer, and the family played a significant role in local civic life. An educated man, Stephen Alden worked in Wisconsin’s lumber industry and later returned to manage the family farm. Active in politics and community affairs, he served as a legislator and held various local offices. He had two marriages and seven children.

Biography of John Tyler

John Tyler, born in Claremont in 1818, was a prominent inventor and builder with a legacy rooted in mechanics. He mastered the trade of a millwright and was a key figure in constructing the Sugar River paper mill. Notably, he invented the Tyler turbine water-wheel, the first of its kind made of iron, and earned nine patents for its improvements. A public-spirited businessman, he contributed significantly to local infrastructure, including the Bible Hill Aqueduct, and served in the legislature. He passed away on November 28, 1896.

Biography of Frank T. Vaughan

Frank T. Vaughan, born May 4, 1864, in Vermont, was the son of Judge Edwin Vaughan. After receiving his early education in Canada and graduating from Dartmouth College in 1886, he worked as a civil engineer before studying law. Admitted to the New Hampshire bar in 1892, Vaughan practiced law in Newport after a brief stint in Kansas. He married Lottie B. Williamson in 1892 and had two children. Active in his community, he served as Justice of the Peace and was involved in various local organizations.

Biography of Albert S. Wait

Albert S. Wait, born on April 14, 1821, in Chester, Vermont, is recognized as Sullivan County’s oldest lawyer in active practice. A descendant of early settlers, he began his legal career in 1846 after studying under Judge Kellogg. After practicing in Alstead, he moved to Newport in 1857, partnering with Hon. Edmund Burke for a decade. Married three times, he is involved in local governance and Masonic organizations, and is regarded as a legal authority, contributing to historical societies and legal literature.

Biography of Irving Allison Watson, M.D.

Irving Allison Watson, M.D., born September 6, 1849, in Salisbury, New Hampshire, pursued his medical studies at Dartmouth and the University of Vermont, graduating in 1871. He practiced in Groveton, N.H., before moving to Concord, where he significantly influenced public health as Secretary of the State Board of Health and other roles. His contributions included authoring numerous medical papers and reports. Dr. Watson, a Mason and former Major in the New Hampshire National Guard, married Lena A. Farr and has one daughter, Bertha M. Watson.

Biographical Sketch of Horace E. H. Ruggles

Horace E. H. Ruggles serves as the supervising principal of the Burlingame schools, overseeing the education of a rapidly growing student body. When he began, Burlingame had no schools and only 217 students; within three years, enrollment soared to nearly 500. Ruggles has successfully fostered unity among teachers and is working to strengthen the connection between families and schools. A Vermont native, he is well-prepared for his role, having attended Potsdam Normal School and previously served as a high school principal in Pennsylvania.

Biography of Hon. Chester Pike

Hon. Chester Pike, born on July 30, 1829, in Cornish, New Hampshire, is a notable figure from a distinguished lineage with deep roots in the state’s history. His father, Ebenezer Pike, was an influential farmer and businessman. Chester’s extensive contributions to public service include roles as County Commissioner, State Representative, and President of the New Hampshire Senate. He married Amanda F. Fay and had four children, with Chester Fay Pike surviving him. Chester Pike’s legacy is marked by significant involvement in local governance and agriculture, reflecting his commitment to his community.

Biographical Sketch of Rufus H. Hatch

Rufus H. Hatch, born on September 22, 1829, in South Reading, Vermont, moved to California in 1853, drawn by the promising agricultural land amid the gold rush. Settling near Halfmoon Bay, he cultivated 320 acres for approximately twenty years while also engaging in stockraising and timber operations. He married Martha Schuyler, with whom he had three children. Following his wife’s death in 1888, Hatch remained active in his community and was affiliated with the Odd Fellows and Freemasons in San Mateo.

Biography of Frank A. Jordan

Frank A. Jordan, born on April 19, 1840, in Plainfield, N.H., was a Civil War veteran and successful stone cutter. He learned his trade in Newbury, Vt., and served in various regiments, participating in key battles. After the war, he established his stone-cutting business in Plainfield, working on notable estates. Jordan married Cornelia E. Davis and had four children. His family roots trace back to early settlers in Plainfield, with ancestors who also served in the Revolutionary War.

Biography of Loren Coburn

Loren Coburn, born on January 11, 1826, in Vermont, migrated to California in 1851, initially seeking fortune in mining. After successful ventures in the northern mines, he transitioned to the livery business in Oakland and San Francisco. Coburn acquired significant land holdings, including the Punto del Ano Nuevo Rancho and additional properties in Monterey County. He became a respected figure in Pescadero, where he engaged in dairy and stock farming. Coburn was married twice, first to Mary Antoinette Upton, followed by her sister, Satira S. Upton.

Biography of J. F. Merrill, M.D.

J. F. Merrill, M.D., born on June 5, 1856, in Gilmanton, N.H., was the son of Jacob D. and Sarah Merrill. After studying medicine with Dr. Young and attending Dartmouth Medical College, he graduated from the University of Vermont in 1886. He practiced in New London for nearly nine years before moving to Franklin Falls in 1894. Merrill married twice, first to Elma Perkins and then to Abbie Pillsbury Foss. A Republican and community leader, he was a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society and the local Baptist church.

Biography of Jesse W. S. Moon

Jesse W. S. Moon, born August 12, 1845, in Hopkinton, N.Y., served in the Civil War with the Eleventh New York Cavalry before returning to farming. After various employments, he purchased a 750-acre farm in Bradford, focusing on mixed farming and dairying. He married Susan F. Delano in 1867, and they raised four daughters, all self-sufficient and accomplished. A member of the G.A.R., Mr. Moon enhanced his farm and maintained a strong family presence in the community.

Biographical Sketch of Charles E. Orcutt

Charles E. Orcutt was born on February 15, 1845, in Vermont and later moved with his family to Allegany County, New York, and Massachusetts. He educated at Deerfield Academy before working on a farm. In his twenties, he relocated to Chillicothe, Missouri, where he initially clerked in a store. In 1871, he established a drug business in Jamesport and was appointed postmaster in 1873. Active in local governance, he is a Republican and married Tillia Keener, with whom he had two children.