Jesse C. Holmes, from Petersboro, N. H., came to Waterville at an early date, and located where the village now is. Here he resided until 1860, then went to live with his son-in-law, Ober D. Rogers, on road 13, where he died in April, 1876, aged ninety years. Mr. Holmes was among the first advocates of the “free soil ” issue in the town, which claims the honor of sending the first “free soil” representative to the legislature.
Elijah Lyman, from Pomfret, Vt., came here in 1818, and located in the northern part of the town, where he married Lydia Chamberlin and reared eight children, three of whom are living, as follows: Harriet, wife of Enos Cady, of Iowa , George W., residing in Cambridge, and Erastus P., of this town. Mrs. Lyman died in 1843, and Elijah in 1849.
Hon. George W. Hendee was born in Stowe, Vt., November 30, 1832. When about six years of age he came with his parents to this town. He attended school at the People’s Academy, studied law with Thomas Gleed, was admitted to the bar in 1855, and has practiced here since 1858. He represented the town in 1861-’62, was State senator in 1866, ’67 and ’68, was elected lieutenant-governor in 1869, served three months, when, upon the death of Gov. P. T. Washburn, he succeeded him and held the office to the close of the term, and was in congress from … Read more
Abithar Codding, one of the earliest permanent settlers, came to Waterville from the southern part of the State, in company with his brother-in-law, a Mr. Fletcher. They settled on adjoining farms, on road 9. Mr. Codding reared a family of eight children, six of whom are now living. Joel B. Codding, residing on road 9, is a son of Jonas, and grandson of Abithar.
William Moody, born in Barnstead, Conn. ), came to Stowe with his father, Philip, the third family to settle in the town. He resided here until his death, of smallpox, in December, 1856, aged sixty-four years. His son, Orrin, spent seven years in the gold diggings of California, and now resides on road 50.
HON. FREDERICK W. LANDER. – This gentleman, who was a civil engineer, first chief justice of the supreme court of Washington Territory, and brigadier-general of United States volunteers, 1861-62, was born at Salem, Massachusetts, December 17, 1822, and received his education at Dummer Academy, Byfield, Vermont, and studied civil engineering at the military academy, Norwich, Vermont. Having practiced for several years his profession in his native state, in 1853 Governor Stevens appointed him estimating engineer on the Northern Pacific Railroad survey. After having crossed the continent, he formed the opinion that the first practical and economical solution of the problem … Read more
David Drown, born in New Hampshire in 1800, came to Morristown in 1828, and settled in the .western part of the town. In 1856, he removed to the farm now owned by his sons, H. W. and B. F. Drown, where he died, February 10, 1882.
Daniel Watts, born in Warwick, Mass., came to Stowe about the year 1800. He had a family of nine children, Charles R., Caroline, widow of C. S. Hodge, and Chandler, reside in Stowe, and Fanny, the wife of Charles Conant, resides in the State of Michigan. Chandler Watts, 2d, born here March 1, 1839, enlisted in the Union army, Co. E, 11th Vt., or 1st Heavy Artillery, August 7, 1862, was promoted corporal, then sergeant, and finally regimental commissary sergeant, which office he retained until the close of the war, when he returned to his farm, on road 46. He … Read more
Simeon Burke, from Westminster, Vt., came to Stowe in March, 1800, and located upon the farm now owned by his son, Abisha, on road 8, where he resided until his death, at the age of eighty-two years. He married Miss Lucy Petty and reared a family of six children, only two of whom, Abisha and Alanson C., are living.
Orlo Cady, born in Stowe, December 17, 1822, came to this town in 1839, and has resided here since. He represented the town in 1866-’67, has been a justice of the peace about ten years, and sheriff of the county two years.
David Davis, born in Milton, N. H., came to Stowe with his father in 1827. In 1835, he located upon the farm he now occupies, on road 21.
Dr. Almerian Tinker commenced the practice of medicine in Johnson prior to, or about, the year 1830, remained there a few years, then came to this town, where he remained until his death, March 14, 1880. During the last thirty-five years of his life lie gave up the practice of his profession. He held several of the town and county offices.
Nehemiah French, born in New Hampshire in 1793, came to this town from Elmore, Vt., in 1842, and located upon the farm now owned by J. M. Green, on road 29. In 1819, he married Esther Green, who has borne him eight children, four of whom are living. Mr. French is now, at the age of ninety years, the oldest resident of the town. His wife is eighty-five years of age, and they have lived together sixty-five years.
Sewell Baker, from Waterford, Vt., came to this town in 1842, and located upon the farm now owned by Bliss C. Goodale. He married Betsey Brown, and they had born to them five children, four of whom are now living.
Simeon Burke, from Westminster, Vt., came to Stowe in March, 1800, and located upon the farm now owned by his son, Abisha, on road 8, where he resided until his death, at the age of eighty-two years. He married Miss Lucy Petty and reared a family of six children, only two of whom, Abisha and Alanson C., are living.
Ezekiel Vincent, from Norwich, Vt., came to Morristown in 1843, and located upon the farm now owned by his adopted son, I. T. Vincent, on road 26, where he resided until his death, November 15, 1880, aged one hundred years, two months and eleven days. I. T. Vincent married Irene Haskell, by whom he had five children, two now living. For his second wife he married Caroline Green, who also bore him five children, two now living. His third wife, Adelia Foster, resides with him on the old farm.
Joseph Benson, born at Middlebury, Mass., September 3, 1783, came to Stowe from Woodstock, Vt., in 1803, and located upon the farm now occupied by his son, Frank. About two years previous to his death, which occurred in 1870, he removed to Stowe village. Mr. Benson was a man of steady and industrious habits, and attained a comfortable competence, and the entire respect of his fellow citizens. He married Miss Eliza Benson, of his native town, who survived him until 1879. Five of their seven children reside in the town, viz.: Orlando J., Elmira A. (Mrs. G. S. Moody), Flotilla … Read more
Rev. John Gleed,, a Congregational minister, preached in different parts of the county about eighteen years, then, in 1858, gave up the ministry and located in this town, where he remained until his death, in September, 1869. Thomas, son of John, was born in England, received a common school education, studied law with L. D. Poland, of Morrisville, and was admitted to the bar about 1846. He held many of the town trusts here, and died August 2.9, 1861, aged thirty-five years. Philip K. Gleed, another son, studied law with his brother, and was admitted to the bar in December, … Read more
John Goodrich located in Wolcott about 1839, where he married Amanda Ferrin and reared a family of seven children. In 1849, he came to this town, and, in 1855, located upon the farm now owned by his son George, on road 47. He died at Brattleboro, Vt., in 1873.
William Smith, a native of Hartford, Conn., immigrated to Williston, Vt., at an early date, where he married Anna Blanchard, and a few years later, about ,806, came to this town and located upon the farm now occupied by his grandsons, where he resided until his death, at the age of fifty-nine years. He had a family of six children, three of whom, Charity, widow of Roswell Town, Lemuel B., and Abel P., now reside here.