St. Augustine's Roman Catholic church of Montpelier. -The following account of the early history of Catholicism in Montpelier, from Miss Hemenway's Gazetteer, is from the venerable Right Reverend Bishop of Burlington: --
 
 

"Rev. Jeremiah O'CALLAGHAN, a priest of the Diocese of Cork, Ireland, was sent by Bishop Fenwick, of Boston, to Burlington, in the month of July, 1830. From this tine, until 1851, he must have occasionally visited the Catholics of Montpelier, but no records exist of his laboring amongst them. Father O'CALLAGHAN died at Holyoke, Mass., in the year 1861. About the year 1850 Rev. H. DROLET, a Canadian priest, was sent to reside at Montpelier. He lived here until the fall of 1854, when he returned to Canada, where he died. He it was who bought the old court-house, which was used as a church until the erection of the present edifice by Father DRUON. After the departure of Father DROLET the Montpelier Catholic congregation was attended by the Obiate Fathers from Burlington until November; 1856, when Very Rev. Z. DRUON became pastor of the Catholic congregation, and officiated as such until July 15. 1864, when he was replaced by Rev. Joseph DUGLUE. "+ Louis, Bp. of Burlington."

      Rev. D. DRUON, while in charge of this parish, built (in 1859) the present church, dedicated to St. Augustine, and purchased a church burying-ground. Father DUGLUE made some improvements on the church and house for the priest, and built a good school building on a lot adjoining the church, which commands a fine view of the village and State House grounds. These missions were visited by Bishops Tenwick and Fitzpatrick, of Boston, while Rev. Father O'CALLAGHAN was here, and some of the eldest people of Montpelier well remember the event. October 18, 1885, Rev. W. J. O'SULLIVAN succeeded Father DUGLUE, and remains in charge of the parish at the present writing (February 22, 1889).

      The congregation has vastly outgrown the size of the church. Rev. Father O'SULLIVAN secured an eligible and fine site for a new church, known as the Rublee lot, on Barre street, in January last, on which he will commence the erection of an elegant and beautiful church edifice of Barre granite, at the opening of the ensuing spring, which will cost about $50,000.

      Barre is a mission attached to the parish of St. Augustine, and is attended by Rev. W. J. O'SULLIVAN. Here he completed the past season one of the prettiest churches in the state. It is built of brick, and trimmed with Barre granite. It has seats for 650 people, and cost $18,000. The corner-stone was laid in October, 1887, and the structure was completed in December, 1888, and named St. Monca church.

      The parish of St. Augustine contains about 225 families and 250 single members besides. St. Michael's School is connected with this parish. It is properly graded, taught by six female teachers, and attended by 175 scholars, who there have an opportunity to acquire a substantial education in both English and French.

      His career as the founder of the town has already been given. He was the first representative of the town, elected in 1792, and by successive annual elections held the position five years, and was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention in 1793. About the year 1800 a heavy judgment was procured against him in the United States Circuit Court, growing out of some land agencies he had held from proprietors of lands, which he and his family and, friends considered so unjust that he resolved never to pay it. He conveyed his attachable property to his sons and sons-in-law, and removed his family to Burlington, where he was restrained within the limits of Chittenden county jail-yard, by the execution taken out against his person. He remained in Burlington until he died, in 1814. In the winter preceding his death the matter was amicably settled between the parties, by a relinquishment of nearly the whole claim, and a virtual admission of its injustice. But before he could complete arrangements to remove to Montpelier he was attacked with an acute disease and died April 9, 1814. Col. DAVIS was a man of fine physique, six feet high, broad shouldered, and very strong. He was energetic, sagacious, enterprising, honest, and benevolent.

      The Puritan James CUTLER emigrated to the colony of Massachusetts Bay about 1634. Jonathan CUTLER, his descendant, came to Montpelier from Oxford, Mass., soon after 1786, and was the first town treasurer, in 1792. His son David died November 21, 1840, and David, son of David, married Mona MARSHALL, of Montpelier, December 28, 1843, and died July 13, 1854. All lived on the old homestead, and were farmers. The children of David, Jr., were Charles F., who died in the Union army at New Orleans, September 2, 1862; George D., who married Laura J. West, December 3, 1872, is a farmer, and resides near North Montpelier; Sarah M. (Mrs. E. V. DUKE), of Plainfield ; and Alonzo J., a member of the board of trade in Chicago.

      Elder Ziba WOODWORTH, a Revolutionary soldier, and the first town clerk of Montpelier, was born in Bozrah, Conn., in April, 1759, and came to Montpelier about 1790. The gallant Col. LEDYARD had married his aunt, and was a martyr to the cause of liberty at Fort Griswold during the Revolutionary war. At the age of seventeen Mr. WOODWORTH, with his brothers Joseph and Asahel, enlisted into Col. LEDYARD's regiment, and Ziba and Asahel were with their uncle, who was in command of Fort Griswold when the traitor Benedict ARNOLD led the British against New London. While he was devastating that town he sent a detachment of several hundred soldiers under Col. EYRE to reduce Fort Griswold. The fort was in a dilapidated condition, but was heroically defended by Col. LEDYARD; the British colonel was disabled, and the second in command, Maj. MONTGOMERY, was slain, but in about an hour Col. LEDYARD was obliged to surrender, and while he was in the act of presenting his sword hilt first to the British officer, that officer seized it and ran it through the colonel's body. On the instant two exasperated American soldiers rushed upon his murderer, impaled him on their weapons, and threw him over the parapet. Then the British commenced the butchery of the American garrison. Ziba was prostrated by a bullet that shattered his knee, and Asahel received a wound that rendered him insensible at the first onset. Ziba next received a wound from a bayonet and a blow on his head from the butt of a musket, which laid him senseless. After a long illness Mr. WOODWORTH recovered, with the loss of the joint of his knee, and some years later he and his brothers settled in Montpelier. His permanent location was on the Branch about a mile and a half from the village. He was a religious man, of the Free Baptist denomination, began to preach about 1800, and was ordained in January, 1806. He continued a farmer, did not preach statedly, but divided his spare time between religion and politics. He was impulsive, but kind, sympathetic, benevolent, and charitable. He had some faults but many virtues. He died at his home November 27, 1826.

      Hon. David WING, Jr., was born in Rochester, Mass., June 24, 1766, removed with his father and family to Montpelier (now East Montpelier), and settled on a farm in the eastern part of the town, and adjoining the old Clark STEVENS place, about 1790. He taught the second school in town, and in about two years after was elected town clerk. He represented the town in the state legislature in 1797, 1798, ,800, and 1801. He was judge of his county, then Caledonia, from 1797 to 1807, ten years; and was secretary of state from 1802 to 1806. Judge WING was not only a man of marked and acknowledged ability, but was genial and affable, and very popular. He died September 13, 1806, while an incumbent of the office of secretary of state, in the midst of his usefulness. Had he lived his prospects were for filling the highest. office in the gift of the people of his state. In 1792 he married Hannah, second daughter of Col. Jacob DAVIS. This marriage was blessed with eight children, to whom were given the following historical names Debby Daphne, Christopher Columbus, Algernon Sidney, Marcus Tullius Cicero, Maria Theresa, David Davis, Caroline Augusta, and Maximus Fabius.

      Hon. Daniel BALDWIN was born in Norwich, Vt., July 21, 1792. He was the youngest of seven children, and son of Daniel and Sally (HAVENS) BALDWIN. His mother was a daughter of Robert HAVENS, of Royalton, whose house was entered first by the Indians when they burned Royalton. He was orphaned at the age of two years, and passed the remaining years of his minority in the home and under the guardianship of his prominent and able older brother, Sylvanus, in Montpelier. He spent this time in attendance at school and in learning the carpenters' trade of his brother. He spent many years after he attained his majority in a very successful mercantile career, and only abandoned it in 1848, to give his whole time to the Vermont Mutual Life Insurance Co., which he projected, and in which he took the first policy. He held the position of president of this company from 1841 to 1874. In 1874 he was active in the enterprise of boring for salt, on the bank of the Winooski near the grist-mill. He was a director of the Bank of Montpelier and of the Montpelier National bank. He advocated and aided the building of the Central Vermont and Montpelier railroads, and was one of the originators and the general manager of the Montpelier Gas Light Co. in its early existence. He was treasurer of Montpelier a dozen years, and associate judge of Washington County Court in 1846 and 1847. He was a Democrat in politics, and a war Democrat in the late civil war. He was liberal in religion and an able co-worker in the organization of the Independent Meeting-House society, and was chairman of its board of trustees from the time it was organized, in 1866, until his death, in 1881. He did not forget Montpelier in his will, but bequeathed $2,000 to be used for a suitable water; supply for the village if the corporation complied with certain conditions. He possessed a vigorous intellect and clear head; what he deliberately planned and clearly saw he pursued with energy. Judge BALDWIN was extensively known, and universally esteemed for his sterling integrity, good common sense, public spirit, and benevolence. He married, in 1820, Emily WHEELOCK, a granddaughter of the first president of Dartmouth College. She died in 1872. He died August 3, 1881.

      Dr. Edward LAMB was born in Leicester, Mass., in 1771. He received his education in the common schools and at the academy of his native town, .where he gained a substantial English education and some knowledge in Latin, and Greek. He decided upon the profession of medicine and entered the office of Dr. FISK, in the adjacent town of Southbridge (then Sturbridge), as his student. He remained until he had acquired a knowledge of his profession, then attended a course of lectures in Boston and Cambridge, and in about 1795 or '96 he came to Montpelier and settled for life. In 1803 he united in marriage with Miss Polly WITHERELL, of Montpelier, who died without issue in 1822. He represented Montpelier in the legislature of 1804, and again in 1814 and 1815, and was one of the Presidential electors for Gen. Harrison in 1840. He was not a frequent public speaker, but acquitted himself well on the two efforts he is known to have made, -- one at the first Fourth of July celebration held in Montpelier, when he delivered an oration, and again before the Vermont Medical society, when he delivered a valuable discourse. In his profession he became eminent, and his advice and counsel were constantly and widely sought. He was skillful in treating all diseases, but especially excelled in the management of fevers. At the time of that terrible scourge, the spotted fever, he had seventy cases, and brought all but three of them successfully through. While as a physician he was ranked with the ablest in Vermont. As a financier he was a failure, and died comparatively poor, but rich in the esteem and appreciation of his large acquaintance. In stature he was of medium height, rather stout and moderate in motion, limped in walking,-the effect of a fever-sore in his youth, -- and was decidedly neglectful in dress, but had a noble, massive head and manly features. Socially he was cordial and courteous, liked a good story, possessed a fund of amusing anecdotes, and knew how to relate them. In his practice he made no distinction in his attendance of the richest or poorest, or scarcely ever asked pay for his services. He died of one of the fevers that he had so successfully managed for others, November 4, 1845, at the age of seventy-four years.

      James TEMPLETON, son of John the pioneer of East Montpelier, was born in 1798, and reared on his father's farm. In early manhood he joined the New Hampshire Methodist Episcopal conference, which included New Hampshire and Vermont, and was an itinerant preacher of the gospel for about twenty years, until he had exhausted the little fortune of about $1,000 left him by his father, and had broken down his health. About this time he was chosen to represent his conference in the general conference of the M. E. church, to be held in Philadelphia. That city was then the metropolis of medical science, and the residence of physicians of marked and acknowledged ability. He accordingly visited Philadelphia, not only for the purpose of representing his conference, but also to obtain the advice of one of the leading physicians. This physician advised him to procure some medical books, and, on consulting them, to treat himself. In doing this he became acquainted with the science of medicine, and on a further investigation and study of the subject he commenced to practice the "healing art," in his native town, East Montpelier, and continued in practice until the infirmities of old age compelled him to retire. He died in Montpelier, at the home of his daughter Caroline (Mrs. P. P. PITKIN), December 14, 1875, aged seventy-seven years. Rev. Dr. James TEMPLETON possessed fine natural abilities, and had a seat in the legislature as a representative two terms. In early life he married Adaline WEST, of East Montpelier. Their children were Caroline (Mrs. P. P. PITKIN), who died December 11, 1883; Hiram Edwin, born August 6, 1829; James M., born May 27, 1832; Wilbur Fisk, born in 1839; and Alma I., who died at the home of her sister, Mrs. PITKIN, January 23, 1875, aged thirty-five years.

      Dr. Hiram Edwin TEMPLETON, son of James, received his education at the common schools in the towns where his father was stationed, and at the Newbury Methodist Seminary while his father was stationed there as, pastor. Before commencing other professional duties he taught common schools seven winters. He studied medicine under the tutorship of his father, and began practice with him. In 1862 he was engaged by the government as contract surgeon in the Union army, where he remained nearly three years,. and where he had a general and varied practice. At the close of this engagement he returned to East Montpelier and resumed practice. In 1891 or '72 he located in the village of Montpelier, where he is now in successful practice. He is a disciple of the eclectic school, and laboring in concert with his brother, Dr. James M. TEMPLETON. He united in marriage with Malvina L. ORMSBY, of East Montpelier.

      James M. TEMPLETON, M. D., son of James, married Miss Adaline BULLARD, daughter of Rev. M. BULLARD, a Methodist clergyman. Dr. TEMPLETON graduated at the Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia, and commenced the practice of his profession in East Montpelier, about 1853, where he continued until 1863. He then engaged to take the post of contract surgeon in the Union army, and went to the front. During most of the ensuing year he was in charge of a post-hospital. His health failed and he returned home. In 1864 he removed to Montpelier, where he is now engaged in an extensive and lucrative practice. Dr. TEMPLETON has continued here and in East Montpelier since he graduated and began practice, while other physicians. have come and gone. This is a gratifying tribute to his skill, and proof that he has the confidence of his numerous patrons. Dr. TEMPLETON is one of the pioneers of the eclectic school in Vermont. Through his efforts, and after encountering some opposition, the charter of the Eclectic Society of Physicians of the state of Vermont was obtained. He is repeating himself in several places at the same time, by a corps of young physicians who have lived with him, read his library, and have been taught by him.

      Capt. Timothy HUBBARD was born in Windsor, Parish of Winterbury, Conn., August 17, 1776. He was raised on his father's farm, and like other farmers' boys had only a common school education. In June, 1799, he came to Montpelier with his brothers Roger and Chester. They were all enterprising and active business men, and contributed to the prosperity and wealth of Montpelier. Capt. HUBBARD commenced in mercantile business with Wyllis J. CADWELL, a relative of the LYMANS of Hartford, Conn., and Hartford, Vt. In 1801 he married Lucy, daughter of Col. Jacob DAVIS. In 1803 his brother-in-law, Hon. David WING, became his business partner in place of Mr. CADWELL. Judge WING died in 1806, and his brother Roger became his partner, which continued until about 1816, when Capt. HUBBARD retired from mercantile business. When he was but fifty years old he formed the sensible conclusion that he had money enough, and judiciously distributed about one-third of his fine property among his most needy relatives. In 1810 he was elected captain of the Governor's Guards, of which Israel PUTNAM was the first captain. Capt. HUBBARD soon proved himself a most efficient military officer. When the news of the British invasion of Plattsburgh reached Montpelier, in September, 1814, Capt. HUBBARD mustered a fifer and drummer and paraded the streets all day marshaling volunteers to go at once to the seat of war. He infused them with some of his own energy and patriotism, and before he closed his labors for the day he had enlisted a large company, who had elected him their captain by acclamation. He gave orders for his company to he ready to march early next morning, and accordingly they came forward and reached Burlington in the evening, and next day were embarked on sloops for Plattsburgh, which place they reached in time to take a place in line of battle. Capt. HUBBARD was an efficient civil officer, and was often selected to settle conflicting financial affairs which others, with less independence, were unwilling to touch. In these instances he dealt out justice without fear or favor. He was liberal to the poor, and a generous supporter of educational, religious, and benevolent objects. He died October 28, 1850.

      Dr. Charles CLARK, son of Nathaniel and Lucy (PERRY) CLARK, was born in Montpelier, now East Montpelier, January 31, 1800. His parents were from Rochester, Mass., and early settlers of the town. Charles was so unfortunate as to receive an injury of his left knee, which, to save his life, made amputation necessary three years after. His father died when he was but ten years old, leaving his family in indigent circumstances, and from that time onward this one-legged boy, with that indomitable courage and industry that was ever characteristic of him, supported himself. He received only a common school education with a few terms at the Washington County Grammar School, and then commenced the study of his profession with Dr. Edward LAMB, of Montpelier, and in 1819 attended lectures at Castleton Medical School. In 1821 he commenced the practice of medicine with Dr. N. C. KING, of North Montpelier. Two years later he removed to Calais and began practice alone, where he resided fourteen years. In 1823 he married Clarissa BOYDEN, of Montpelier. In 1837 he purchased the BOYDEN homestead, removed to it, where he resided the ensuing twelve years, and had an extensive practice in Montpelier and the surrounding towns. In 1849 Dr. CLARK settled in the village of Montpelier, for the double purpose of the practice of medicine and for the better opportunity for the education of his children. He died of paralysis, June 21, 1874, after five years of prostration and suffering. Dr. CLARK possessed no ordinary native abilities to accomplish what he did. He was of fine physique, six feet high, and possessed an animated, pleasant countenance. He was warm, genial, sympathetic, and communicative, which, with his fund of anecdotes, made him a welcome visitor to his patients, and contributed to his great popularity and success. He was a constant student in his profession, kept pace with the progress of the science, and had little time for political matters, but by the wishes of his friends he consented to represent Montpelier in the legislature of 1846-47. He was an ardent advocate of temperance and education, and served twelve years as the president of the board of trustees of Washington County Grammar School, and was for many years treasurer of Vermont Medical society.

      The TAPLIN family in America are unmistakably of Huguenot descent, and all sprang from the French emigrants, of the name, who settled in Overton, Hampshire, in England, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes.

      John TAPLIN, Esq., as he was called in Montpelier, was born in Marlboro, Mass., July 14, 1748, and died in Montpelier, November 20, 1835. His father, Col. John TAPLIN, resided in Marlboro until about 1764, when he removed to Newbury, Vt., and was one of the first settlers of that town. "He was one of the most noted men of his times, had been a colonel in the British American army under Gen. AMHERST, and actively engaged with ROGERS, PUTNAM, STARK, and other distinguished American officers in reducing the fortresses of the French on Lake Champlain, and fighting their red allies then prowling through the entire wilderness territory of Vermont." Col. John TAPLIN was the chief judge of the first court ever held within the territory now called Orange county. His court was held in the New York county of Gloucester, and he received his commission from King George III., from the governor of New York, March 17, 1770, and again April 10, 1772. His first term of court was held at Kingsland, as appears upon the original records of the courts held in Kingsland, which are preserved in the county clerk's office at Chelsea. Kingsland, now Washington, was made the county seat, although -there was not a house nor an inhabitant within its limits. A village, or, as our western people would say in these days, a city, was plotted upon paper, near its center, but it has never yet been built.

      Judge TAPLIN probably held his last court in Kingsland on Tuesday, May 25, 1773, when he adjourned to meet in Newbury. The last record of. any court at either Kingsland or Newbury, held by judge TAPLIN, commonly called Col. TAPLIN, was in Newbury, February 25, 1774. Judge TAPLIN was not a lawyer. He probably resided at Newbury while he was judge, but later he removed to Corinth, of which town he was an original proprietor. His sympathies were undoubtedly with the colonies in their efforts to throw off the British yoke, for July 15, 1775, he wrote a letter from Newbury to Peter V. B. LIVINGSTON, Esq., president of the Provincial Congress at the city of New York, in which he uses these words: "The country seems to be very well united, and firm to one another, and also in the cause of liberty; and I make no doubt but they will cheerfully join in whatever measures and directions the honorable Congress may point out from time to time." But D. P. THOMPSON, in his history of Montpelier, says that "on the opening of the Revolution, Colonel TAPLIN, declining to take sides against the king who had distinguished him, retired during the war into Canada, leaving his son, John TAPLIN, Jr., on the paternal property in Corinth, Vermont." Col. TAPLIN married Hepsiba BRIGHAM, presumably in the year 1746, as we are informed by Mrs. H. N. TAPLIN, widow of his grandson now aged eighty-two years, residing in Montpelier, that his wife (Hepsiba BRIGHAM) was but fifteen years old when her first son was born, or when she was married. As she was born in 1731, and fifteen when she was married, that event must have occurred in 1746. She died December 27, 1815. Col. John TAPLIN died November 9, 1803. We are unable to gain any information of his birth or age. Their children were John, Jr., born July 14, 1848, Johnson, Brigham, Elisha, Mansfield, William, Nathan, Gouldsburn, Polly, and Hepsa.

      John TAPLIN, Jr., was the first high sheriff under his father in Gloucester county, Vt., removed to Corinth with his father, and from there came to Berlin in 1787, and settled near the mouth of Dog river. He was the first representative of Berlin, and the first justice of the peace. When twenty years old he married Catherine LOVEWELL, of Newbury, who was born July 10, 1748, and died July 16, 1794. She was the mother of twelve children, viz.: Caty (Catherine), born December 30, 1770 ; Augustus, born June 30, 1773; Susan, born April 28, 1775; John, born July 31, 1777; Henry, born May 27, 1780; Robert, born April 24, 1782; Ira, born June 14, 1784; Hannah, born May 21, 1786; Walter, born May 14, 1788; Chittenden, born June 14, 1789; Thomas Chittenden, born April 30, 1792; and William, born June 16, 1794. He married his second wife, Lydia GOVE, says THOMPSON, some time in the year 1795, who bore him nine children more, namely, Ebenezer, born March 2, 1796; Hazen, born April 5, 1797; Edward Langdon, born May 5, 1798; Harriet, born September 2, 1799; Horatio Nelson, born April 15, 1801; Sidney Smith, born February 5, 1803; Guy Carlton, born April 29, 1804; John Adams, born October 4, 1805; and Susan, born May 30, 1807. Only the last named of this large family is now living. H. N. TAPLIN, son of H. N., and George E. TAPLIN are the only male descendants of this branch of the TAPLIN family now residing in Montpelier.

      Samuel GOSS, the pioneer journalist of Montpelier, was born in Hollis, N. H., in November, 1776. He served an apprenticeship in the office of "Isaiah THOMAS, the father of printers," at Worcester, Mass. He had for fellow-apprentices Amos FARLEY and Rev. Leonard WORCESTER. At the age of twenty-one he went to Boston and purchased a second-hand press and printers' materials to set up business for himself. Peacham, Vt., was his objective point, where he arrived in January, 1798, and in company with Mr. FARLEY set up this scanty outfit in a very small school-house, and in eight days issued the first number of The Green Mountain Patriot, which the firm of FARLEY & GOSS continued to issue regularly the ensuing nine years. In 1807 Mr. GOSS came to Montpelier and bought The Vermount Precursor of Rev. Clark BROWN, which had had an existence of only a few months, and consolidated the two papers in the Vermont Watchman, which he conducted until 18i0. He then sold the Watchman to his apprentices, Gen. E. P. WALTON, and his younger brother, Mark GOSS, and engaged in the manufacture of paper, which he continued for many years. Mr. GOSS was a zealous worker in the church and Sunday-school, and in the latter he served more years than any other in Montpelier except Col. Asahel WASHBURN. Next to his religion he loved his country best, and George Washington was his model statesman. Although an octogenarian, five years before the Rebellion his heart was with his country, and he visited the office of the Watchman twice daily during the war to get the latest news.

      Judge THOMPSON, in his history of Montpelier, says: "It was the good fortune of Montpelier, for the first twenty years after the place could lay claim to the dignity of a village, to have the right kind of a man for her minister and the right kind of a man for an editor, in the persons of Chester WRIGHT and Ezekiel P. WALTON." 

      Ezekiel Parker WALTON was born in Canterbury, N. H., in 1789. His father, George WALTON, removed to Peacham, Vt., where there was a good academy which young Walton attended a few terms previous to reaching the age of fifteen years. This completed all the school education he ever received. Samuel GOSS was then editor of his paper, The Green Mountain Patriot, and the boy WALTON entered his office as an apprentice. After three years he came to Montpelier with Mr. GOSS, and served out his apprenticeship, which expired in 1810, when he was twenty-one years old. Then with his fellow-apprentice, Mark GOSS, the brother of the editor, they bought the interest of Samuel GOSS, and for the next six years the paper was issued by the firm of WALTON & GOSS, with Mr. WALTON chief editor. In 1816 Mark GOSS retired from the firm and Mr. WALTON conducted the paper alone for nearly twenty years, when as his sons became of age they entered the business as partners, and books and papermaking were added to the business of E. P. WALTON & Sons, which was continued until 1853, when the proprietorship of the paper passed into the hands of his son, Hon. Eliakim Persons WALTON; but Gen. WALTON continued to assist in some parts of the editorial work to the last year of his life. As a writer Gen. WALTON acquired a style of his own, which with the vein of good common sense that always pervaded it, he ranked with the most pleasing and instructive editorial writers of his day. In the political world Gen. WALTON was always capable of giving advice; he was always a man among men; in the social circle he was an agreeable companion, always dignified but courteous; and was an influential officer in the church. He was an ardent and influential politician, but never an office seeker. He was several times the candidate of his party for town representative, but only when his party was in the minority. In 1827 he was elected one of the council of censors, and served with credit to himself and his electors, with such distinguished men for compeers as judges B. TURNER, D. KELLOGG, and S. S. PHELPS. In 1852 he was one of the electoral college for his state, which cast the vote of Vermont for Gen. SCOTT. In 1854 he was nominated by a large mass state convention as their candidate for governor; but to consolidate the sentiments of all in one controlling organization he patriotically submitted, and advocated the substitution of the name of Judge Stephen ROYCE by the state committee for his own. The outgrowth was the organization of the Republican party of the state, and for which the credit in a great measure is due to Gen. WALTON. Early in life he passed rapidly along the line of military promotion till he reached the rank of major-general, when he threw aside these glittering offices and thought no more of them. Everywhere, and at all times, he was an admirable type of the Christian gentleman, and in the support of charitable institutions he was unsurpassed by none and equalled by few. Gen. WALTON died November 27, 1855.

      Job MACOMBER, a native of England, settled in Wendell, Mass., at a very early date. He was a sea captain, and commanded a merchant vessel. He died at the great age of ninety-nine years, and left a large family, some of whom emigrated to other states. His son job married Phebe SMITH and settled on a farm in Wendell. He (Job) served his country as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and received a pension from the government which he aided to establish. About 1807 he emigrated to Montpelier and located on a farm in the eastern part of the town. He remained in Montpelier till his death. In early life he was a trader and dealt quite largely in cattle, but met with reverses in unavoidable litigation, which deprived him of much of his fortune. He raised seven children to mature age. His son Job, 3d, educated in the common schools, married Mary Ann TEMPLETON, of East Montpelier, settled on a farm, which was nearly all woodland, only improved with three or four acres of the forest slashed down. On this farm he built a log house, in which he resided a few years. He then built a commodious frame dwelling .and barns, planted an orchard, and surrounded himself with the comforts of a thrifty farmer's home. He was a man of decided convictions, and when his opinions were once formed they were seldom or never changed. He was a life-time Democrat, was always at the polls at elections, but refused to accept any office. He was a man of sterling integrity. His motto was: "Pay as you go and owe no man," and at his decease his son, Dr. Job MACOMBER, who settled his estate, says he had not a single debt.

      Dr. Job MACOMBER, son of job and Mary Ann (TEMPLETON) MACOMBER,. was born in Montpelier, now East Montpelier, July 3, 1834. He attended a course of lectures at the medical academy of Woodstock, Vt., graduated at Castleton (Vt.) Medical College in 1856, and almost immediately commenced practice in Worcester, Vt. He remained in practice in Worcester until 1865, when he removed to Montpelier, where he now resides. Dr. MACOMBER soon became the physician of many of the best families in Montpelier, and by his skill and success almost immediately acquired a large and remunerative practice. He has ably served the public the past thirty-three years. Dr. MACOMBER is a member of the Vermont Medical society, and is now the president of the Montpelier board of United States pension examiners. While at Worcester he held the offices of town clerk, treasurer, and superintendent of schools. He also represented that town in the legislature of 1864 and '65. In May, 1858, he married Marcella L. LADD, of Worcester. Their children now living are Mary E., Clara A., and George L. They lost a daughter, aged nineteen, and an infant son.

      Col. Elisha Payne JEWETT, only son of Capt. Nathan and Ruth (PAYNE) JEWETT, was born in Lebanon, N. H., June 5, 1801. Capt. Nathan JEWETT married Ruth, daughter of Hon. Elisha PAYNE, December 10, 1793, and in 1807 came to Montpelier. He was born in Hopkinton, March 8, 1767. Mrs. JEWETT was born in Plainfield, Conn., July 9, 1770. Captain JEWETT was well formed, and a dignified gentleman of the old school, honest, and generous beyond his means. He was the captain of the Washington artillery, which was a dignity equal to that of a major-general of militia in our days. His company consisted of picked men and constituted the governor's guard. Capt. JEWETT died in Montpelier, December 29, 1861, in the ninety-fifth year of his age. Col. Elish P. JEWETT was the apprenticed clerk of the late Hon. Daniel BALDWIN, merchant, for six years. When lie was about twenty-one years of age he commenced mercantile business for himself, which he successfully conducted. Later, when he had left that business, he was engaged in the construction of the Vermont Central railroad, and the Great Western railroad from Suspension Bridge to Hamilton, Canada. Later he became an agriculturist, and owns the fine farm on the Winooski river in the southwestern corner of the town, where the pioneer FRIZZEL made the first settlement in Montpelier. Col. JEWETT now resides in a beautiful home on the western part of State street. He has made decided improvements on this farm, and also on the other lands in his possession. Col. JEWETT has especially distinguished himself by his personal influence and princely donations for the interest of Montpelier. He has not only contributed generously to building the churches, and to all other public interests, but to make the capital permanent he has given the magnificent sum of $25,000 to aid in building the State Houses. He was an efficient co-worker with Messrs. LANGDON, WALTON, and BALDWIN in building the Vermont Central railroad. He has been a bank director nearly half a century, president of one of the banks six years, was state treasurer in 1846-47; represented Montpelier in the legislature of 1855, and was Presidential elector at large in 1872. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. Col. JEWETT derives his military title from his appointment on the staff of Major-General Ezekiel P. WALTON. He is enshrined in the affections of the people, and justly deserves to be. "Men have come and gone," but he has been a "man among men" nearly three-score years and ten, and an octogenarian since 1881. Still he is well preserved, both physically and mentally, and his tall form is seen daily on the streets.

      Hon. George WORTHINGTON, one of the prominent early citizens of Montpelier, married Clarissa, youngest daughter of Col. Jacob DAVIS, the first child born in the town, and engaged in the manufacture of hats with Erastus WATROUS. He was sheriff of Washington county in 1814, representative in 1819, councilor from 1827 to 1831, and judge of probate in 1840. He was much of his time engaged in settling estates. About 1860 he removed to Irasburg, and died there.

      Hon. Joseph HOWES was born in Lebanon, Conn., March 28, 1783. He was a descendant of one of the Puritan families who settled in Plymouth county, Mass. He came to Montpelier with his wife, in 1808, where they both spent the remainder of their lives. They united with Bethany church in 1810, and were consistent members to the close of their lives. Judge HOWES began in politics a Jeffersonian Republican, supported John Quincy Adams for President in 1824, and entered successively the Whig and Republican parties at their organizations. He served nearly two years as adjutant on the frontier in the War of 1812, and declined a commission which was offered him in the regular army. He started for Plattsburgh in September, 1814, as second lieutenant of the Montpelier volunteer company of 118 men: He represented Montpelier in the legislature of 1813, and served as a judge of Washington County Court from 1819 to 1827. He was also a magistrate, selectman, and overseer of his town. Judge HOWES married Patty WILDER, of Norwich, in 1808, who was born in 1786, and died January 20,1871. He died March 28, 1863. Judge HOWES was honest, conscientious, and severe with himself, and in condemning wrong in others, but generous to such as wronged him. He was gentle, mild, and charitable.

      Rev. Chester WRIGHT, the fourth of the eight children of Nathaniel and Jemima (BARTLETT) WRIGHT, was born in Hanover, N. H., November 6, 1876. His father was a farmer, and his expectation was to continue in his father's occupation. Indeed his resolution to enter the ministry was not formed until after he had attained his majority, and had bought a farm and begun to till it. Then he began a course of preparatory study which continued eleven years, during which time he supported himself by teaching, being preceptor of the Addison County Grammar School for two years, and for some time a tutor in Middlebury College, from which he was graduated in 1806. He studied theology with Rev. Asa BURTON, D. D., of Thetford, Vt., and later under the direction of Rev. Timothy DWIGHT, D. D., of New Haven, Conn. Being licensed to preach, in 1808, he was called to Montpelier, and in June of that year he assumed the charge of the newly-organized Congregational society of that place-a relation which continued till his dismissal, by the reluctant consent of a council, December 22, 1830. During his pastorate 428 persons were received into the church, which was for a long time the only church in the village. He retained his home in Montpelier six years after his dismissal, employed in teaching and preaching to churches in the vicinity. In 1836 he became the pastor of the Congregational church in Hardwick, Vt., holding that position at the time of his death, in Montpelier, from consumption, in 1840. Intellectually Mr. WRIGHT held high rank among his ministerial brethren, was regarded as a leader in their councils, and was often chosen to represent them in ecclesiastical gatherings beyond the borders of the state; but he was yet more distinguished for his unselfish consecration, his moral force and intrepidity, and his philanthropic spirit and missionary zeal. In theology he was, rather conservative, but in the matter of moral reforms he was decidedly progressive. He married Charlotte Clapp WHITNEY, of Royalton, Vt., who survived him nineteen years. Of their six children, four lived to maturity, viz.: Jonathan Edwards, Charlotte Whitney (Mrs. James H. HOWE), Julia (Mrs. Joseph W. HOWES), and Eliza Maria (Mrs. Ferrand F. MERRILL). Of these, Mrs. HOWES is now (April, 1888) the only survivor; but the others have left children, three of whom are living in Montpelier, namely, Miss Charlotte H. MERRILL, Miss Mary A. MERRILL, and Rev. J. Edward WRIGHT, -- one, Chester W. Merrill, Esq., lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and one, Mrs. Lucy (HOWE) SKINNER, lives in Lake Forest, Ill.

      Rev. James Edward WRIGHT, son of Jonathan Edwards and Fanny Wyman (HOUGHTON) WRIGHT, and grandson of Rev. Chester WRIGHT, was born in Montpelier, July 9, 1839. He was educated at Washington County Grammar School; Boston Public Latin School, graduating in 1857; Harvard College, graduating in 1861; and at Andover Theological Seminary, graduating in 1865. He served as private, corporal, and sergeant in the 44th Mass. Regt., from August, 1862, to June, 1863. He supplied the pulpit of the Christian church, of Eastport, Me., from August, 1865, to February, 1866, and was ordained as a minister of Jesus Christ at Henry, Ill., July 24, 1866. From September, 1866, till January, 1869, he was pastor of a newly-organized church (of the Christian connection) in Jacksonville, Ill.; and from September, 1869, to the present time he has had charge of the Church of the Messiah (Independent, but commonly known as an Unitarian church) in Montpelier.

      Erastus HUBBARD, son of Roger and Fanny (Burbank) HUBBARD, was born in Montpelier, September 8, 1811, and distinctly remembers the mustering in the streets of the militia company preparatory to marching to the battle of Plattsburgh, in September, 1814. He commanded a company of boys as their captain, and was in line, and saluted Gen. LaFayette on his visit to Montpelier. His father first visited Montpelier as a tin peddler. He came to Montpelier some time before 1808, as he was here when the first State House was built. He soon engaged in merchandising with his brother, Capt. Timothy HUBBARD. About 1814 he sold his interest in the store and dwelling house, and settled on a farm known as "Hubbard's meadow," where he resided the next seven years. He built a store in 1822 and again engaged in merchandising. In 1832 he retired to his farm, and his son Erastus resumed the trade that his father left. Roger HUBBARD died in 1848. He was captain of Washington artillery several years, and was one of the prominent men of the growing village of Montpelier.

      Erastus HUBBARD married, in 1837, Arabella G., daughter of Amplius BLAKE, of Chelsea, and has been a merchant and in business most of his life. In 1850 Mr. HUBBARD bought of his father's estate his present dwelling house and the farm referred to, and laid it out into streets, and the meadow is now covered with neat dwellings and is one of the prettiest sections of the village. Mr. HUBBARD met with a serious accident on election day in the fall of 1848, caused by the explosion of gunpowder, which so much injured his eyes that they have gradually failed until he is now nearly blind. Notwithstanding this misfortune his great energy and courage would not let him rest in idleness, and since he has transacted a vast amount of business. He has suffered frequently by fire, but rebuilt again at once. The present fine building known as Union block was commenced the next day after the old one that stood in its place was burned down, and now, with his impaired sight and the weight of nearly seventy-eight years, aided by his son, he gives his personal attention to his financial affairs. Mr. HUBBARD is no office seeker and has steadily refused to accept office. He began his political life with the old Whig party, voted for Gen. HARRISON in 1840, and for his grandson, Gen. Benjamin HARRISON, in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. HUBBARD have enjoyed a married life of more than fifty-two years, and are parents of a daughter and son, viz.: Lucy, wife of B. F. FIFIELD, the leading railroad attorney in the state, and John F. HUBBARD, who is with his father, superintending their system of spring water works, tenements, and other matters.

      Hon. Eliakim Persons WALTON, the first born son of Gen. Ezekiel Parker WALTON and Prussia PARSONS, his wife, was born in Montpelier, February 17, 1812, He received rudimental education in reading and reading the notes of music from his mother, and next be was occasionally instructed in the district school, from which M. D. GILMAN, in his Bibliography, informs us he had the habit of running away on every possible occasion. He next attended the Washington County Grammar School, until he was fitted for college by that able educator, the late Jonathan SOUTHMAYD. Much of his practical education was gained at vacations of school in his father's printing office, where he was placed when he was so young that he had to stand in a chair to reach the printer's case. Mr. WALTON relates an incident in his early life with apparent pleasure, when in 1826-27 he was employed in the office of the Essex County Republican, in Essex, N. Y. The editor and publisher was away, and the publication would have been suspended for a week but for the energy of young WALTON, then fourteen years old. Without authority from his employers the youthful editor got up a paper, containing a large amount of editorial matter, partly written and partly composed at the case, and took proof-sheets, which he submitted to the examination of Gen. Henry H. ROSS, of Essex, then a member of Congress, and asked his advice whether he should or should not print the paper. The General returned the sheets, his face beaming with smiles, and placed both his hands on the boy's shoulders and said "Print it! boy, print it!" He then printed and issued the edition. This Mr. WALTON calls his "first newspaper." After he left the Grammar School he entered the law office of Samuel PRENTISS with the intention of entering the legal profession. Here he remained long enough to gain some elementary knowledge of law, and as Judge PRENTISS was then in the United States Senate, he also gained a knowledge of national politics from the judge, and the books and documents which were sent to the Senator. Although he preferred the law, he was born an editor ; and when he was twenty-one years of age he was his father's partner in the publication of the Vermont Watchman and State Gazette. Other business so much absented the attention of the senior editor that the management of the paper and printing were in charge of E. P. WALTON, Jr. (This signature he adopted, as the initials of his father and his own were the same.) In 1853 he became sole owner of the paper, and continued its owner until he sold it to Joseph POLAND & Son, in 1868. Besides the great amount of labor bestowed on the Watchman in the long list of years that he was connected with it, he has performed a vast amount of other editorial work. Walton's Vermont Register, commenced by his father, has been edited by him all these years, and is still except the business directory. He edited the second volume of the State Historical society's collections wrote mainly the reports for the Vermont Capitol of 1857, and has issued eight carefully written octavo volumes. The Governor and Council of Vermont and His Crowning Glory alone would have made him famous. Besides all this he has delivered many orations and addresses, and written innumerable important letters. As a politician he has been active, alert, and brave, but always honorable; and has generously used his great influence to help other men to high offices, but has never sought "place and position" for himself. In 1853 he consented to represent Montpelier in the legislature. In 1856 he was greatly surprised by being selected by his party as their candidate for representative in the United States Congress, and received three successive elections, and afterward declined further service. In 1874 he was elected to the Senate of Vermont, and served until 1878. In 1870 he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

      Mr. WALTON has received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the University of Vermont and from Middlebury College. He was the president of the Publishers' and Editors' association of Vermont from its organization until 1881, and of the Vermont Historical society since the Rev. Dr. LORD retired. Through his exertions and potent influence Vermont was saved her third member of Congress for twenty years. Mr. WALTON was an able champion and advocate of the construction of the Central Vermont railroad, .and with James R. LANGDON was selected by Gov. Charles PAINE as his assistant in raising capital for the road in Boston, Mr. WALTON to write for the press, and Mr. LANGDON as an eminent business man. Mr. WALTON spent three months on this mission. The result of the united effort of these gentlemen was a subscription to the stock of the road in Boston of $1,500,000. Mr. WALTON is a man of the people, affable, courteous, and communicative, and a Living Encyclopedia of the Green Mountain state.

      James R. LANGDON, third child of Col. James H. and Nabby (ROBINS) LANGDON, was born in Montpelier, October 3, 1813. His literary education he gained in the Washington County Grammar School. He was born for an active business life, and early gave evidence of this by entering a grist-mill for the purpose of learning the millers' trade. This his father opposed, and induced him to leave the mill by offering to furnish the capital and share the profits with him that might be gained by buying Spanish coin, which brought a handsome premium in Canada. Accordingly, at the age of only fifteen years, he traveled over the New England states and New York so long as Spanish specie could be obtained in quantities sufficient to make the business profitable. He was able, as the result of this enterprise, to divide the snug little item of $3,400 with his father. Next we find him a clerk a short time at Derby Line. After the death of his father, January 7, 1831, he was employed to settle his father's estate; and later he engaged in merchandising at Greensborough, where he had the misfortune to lose his store by fire. He returned to Montpelier and engaged in the manufacture and sale of flour, in which he did an immense business, and for a country merchant accumulated quite an extensive property, which was the nucleus of his large fortune. By his great sagacity and business ability he has handled large amounts of property with uniform success; and in his investments in banks, bonds, and stocks he has displayed the same prudent, far-sighted financial knowledge, which has always been crowned with success. Mr. Langdon was a director of the Bank of Montpelier when he was but twenty years old, and this relation continued until the bank was transformed into the Montpelier National bank, March 5, 1865. Since that time Mr. Langdon has been president of the new organization. In the construction of the Vermont Central railroad Mr. Langdon has rendered important service to his state. The results of that enterprise wonderfully developed its resources. He, with Hon. E. P. Walton, was selected to assist the late Gov. Paine to raise funds in Boston, and the result of their efforts was a subscription to the stock of the road of $1,500,000. He has been a director of the Central Vermont railroad since 1873 and its vice-president since 1876. Mr. Langdon has decided opinions on the political policy of our country, but is in no sense an office seeker. An unwise and protracted division of the Republican party was settled by his election to the legislature in 1868. He was returned to the House of Representatives the ensuing year, and was appointed on the important committees of Ways and Means and Railroads, where, by his superior knowledge of finance, he rendered excellent service to his state. Mr. Langdon was married, in December, 1826, to Lucy POMEROY, daughter of Charles BOWEN, of Middlebury, Vt. They had four children, viz.: Lucy, who married, first, Mr. MANSFIELD, of Nyack, N. Y., and after his death Mr. SCHROEDER, of New York city, the first superintendent of the Astor library; Harriet, who died young; Elizabeth W. suffered a calamity, and is the subject of tender and loving care bestowed by her kind father; and James Henry, who died in infancy. Their mother died some years ago.

      Dr. James SPALDING was born in Sharon, Vt., March 20, 1792. When he was but seven years old he received a small wound in the knee joint, and acute inflammation set in, followed by suppuration, which was attended with extreme suffering, and confined him more than six months. During his sickness the eminent physician and surgeon, Dr. SMITH, of Hanover, was called, and under his skillful treatment he was healed, but the knee was partially stiffened, and to recover the full action of this joint required years. While thus confined he resolved to become a physician and surgeon. His education was limited to a common school course. Alone and without instruction he acquired that mental discipline which distinguished him in after life. He commenced his medical studies at the age of seventeen years, with Dr. Eber CARPENTER, of Alstead, N. H., with the stipulation that he should practice one year with the Doctor to recompense him for his education. While he was pursuing his medical course he took private lessons in Latin and Greek. He graduated at the Medical department of Dartmouth College at the age of twenty. After he had practiced two years with Dr. CARPENTER, where he had gained a high reputation in the treatment of spotted fever, and was the celebrated "boy physician," he commenced to practice in Claremont, but his friends in Montpelier induced him to locate there. The distinguishing trait of his mind was sound judgment. His fixed purpose was improvement in his profession; consequently he was never engaged in other business or in seeking political preferment. He very early gained general confidence as a physician, and as a surgeon he was successful above most others. It was a maxim with him that there should be no guess-work in his profession, and more especially in surgery. In 1820 Dr. SPALDING married Miss Eliza REED, of Montpelier, by whom he raised six children. Mrs. SPALDING died in 1854, and two years after he married Mrs. DODD, a daughter of Wyllis LYMAN, of Hartford, Vt., who died in 1857. Dr. SPALDING died March 15, 1858.

      Hon. Arunah WATERMAN was born in Norwich, Conn., November 8, 1778. He came of good Revolutionary stock. His father was a subaltern officer and raised to commissary in the Continental army, and his uncles were either officers or soldiers. At the age of thirteen years he was a carpenter's apprentice, and served until he was twenty-one. Soon after he was recommended as a master mechanic to Gen. PINCKNEY, of South Carolina, who was about to build extensively. He engaged with him, superintended his constructions to the satisfaction of the General, and by his ability and integrity gained his confidence, and was made steward and supervisor of all the General's estates in his absence as Minister of the United States at the Court of St. James. In 1801 or 1802 he came to Vermont with his brothers, Hon. Joseph and Hon. Thomas WATERMAN, and settled in Johnson. In the first. part of the year 1814 he came to Montpelier, bought the farm on North Branch, including the water-power at the falls, and besides cultivating his farm he built a wool-carding and cloth-dressing-mill, which he conducted for a few years, and until, in connection with Seth PERSONS, he erected a woolen factory, which was burned in 1826. He died on his farm, then within the village, January 31, 1859. In 1821 Mr. WATERMAN represented Montpelier in the legislature, and was reelected in 1822 and 1823, and again in 1826. When the state Senate was established, in 1836, he was one of the first senators of Washington county, and reelected the succeeding year. In 1840, without consulting him, the legislature elected him to the office of county judge, which he declined. Mr. WATERMAN was a fast friend of our common schools, and for many years a trustee of the Montpelier Academy. Self-taught, he became a proficient civil engineer, mathematician, geologist, and an accurate historian. In 1804 he married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Oliver NOYES, of Hyde Park, the sister of Hon. David P. NOYES. She died in 1812. One of her several children is Hon. Vernon P. WATERMAN, of Morristown. After more than a year Mr. WATERMAN married Miss Mehitable DODGE, now deceased.

      Mahlon COTTRILL, who was widely known in the state and outside of it as "mine host" of the Pavilion, and as "the prince" of landlords, was born in Bridgeport, in 1797. He came to Montpelier in 1826, and went into the employ of Watson JONES, who was the proprietor of a line of stages running from Montpelier to Burlington. Ira DAY, of Barre, who was running a stage line southward through Royalton, soon joined Mr. COTTRILL and bought out Mr. JONES, and organized the great central stage line through the state, which became the main thoroughfare from Boston to Montreal. He became well known at Washington as a mail contractor. He became the proprietor of the Pavilion, and conducted it until he sold it to Col. BOUTWELL, in 1856. In 1861, in company with others, he contracted to carry the mails from Kansas City to Santa Fe, and established a line of stages over that route. He died of remittent fever in Kansas City, in October, 1864.

      Hon. Joseph REED was born in Westford, Mass., March 13, 1776, where he resided until the winter of 1788, when he went to his uncle in Plymouth, N. H., with whom he lived until he was a little over eighteen, and, had received the advantages of the common schools. Thus educated, he commenced and served through an apprenticeship to the carpenters' trade. He followed this calling about six years, then relinquished it and resolved to enter mercantile pursuits. In furtherance of his resolution he served as clerk a short time, and in 1803 he opened a store in Thetford. In 1814 Mr. REED represented Thetford in the legislature, was reelected the two succeeding years, and was representative five of the succeeding seven years. In 1818 and 1819 he was one of the judges of Orange county. He closed his very successful mercantile business in Thetford in 1827 and removed to Montpelier. In 1830 he was elected judge of probate, of the district of Washington, and held the position three years. In 1834 he was chosen a member of the council of censors to revise the constitution of the state, and in 1840 he was chosen an elector of Vermont and cast a ballot for General Harrison for President. He was treasurer of Washington county for almost the last thirty years of his life. Judge REED had an unprecedented successful career, in business and politics, and accumulated for his day a large fortune. He died February 6, 1859. When he had accumulated means that he could spare from his business he commenced a systematic course of benevolence, which will better perpetuate his memory than either granite or marble. This was the loaning to indigent but promising young men, without security, such sums of money as they needed to take them economically through college, and left wholly voluntary for them to repay him. Judge REED continued this course to the time of his death. The number of educated young men who were recipients of his bounty were over twenty.

      Charles H. CROSS, son of Stephen and Sarah (DURGIN) CROSS, was born in Sanbornton, N. H., February 12, 1812. Up to the age of eighteen years (1830) he remained in his native town, attending the district school, and such other employments as were common for the boys of his village. At that age and date he left his home and came to Montpelier, having chosen the occupation of baker. He engaged with his brother, who was a practical workman in the trade, and began at the bottom, and continued with his brother about ten years, until he mastered the trade thoroughly. In 1841 and 1842 he conducted a grocery store, but says, "I did not sell rum," which was then a common and generally supposed necessary commodity in that trade. In 1843 he instituted and established his present business, which he successfully conducted alone, with the exception of two years, when his brother was a partner with him until 1862, when the present firm of C. H. CROSS & Son was formed. Up to 1858 he had rented buildings for his manufactory. "The old landmark," Masonic hall, was then for sale, which he wisely purchased and fitted conveniently for his business, and occupied it until the importunities and necessities of the Congregational church influenced him to sell these desirable grounds, on which the society at once erected their present fine church edifice. Before he transferred to the church he had engaged the site on which the firm are now conducting their large and deservedly celebrated business. Mr. CROSS, in all these years, has spared no pains or expense in producing the best goods possible, and labors with the ready cooperation of his son to give his very numerous customers an equivalent dollar for dollar. And the result is "the Montpelier cracker," and the other productions from C. H. CROSS & Son's bakery have a reputation unequalled by any other establishment in New England. Mr. CROSS has also found time, notwithstanding his close attention to his constantly increasing business, to aid in building up the town, and it is generally reported that he has built more residences than any other citizen of the place.

      Mr. CROSS was raised a Democrat, but soon after he became a voter he cast his lot with the opposite party, and was an old line Whig until the organization of the Republican party, and is now firm in the ranks of Republicanism. Mr. CROSS is an active and influential member of the Methodist church, and a ready and liberal contributor to its general and financial interests. He is a trustee of the Vermont Methodist Seminary, and exerted an active and potent influence in its establishment in Montpelier, and also has been a liberal donor to place the institution on a sound basis. As a citizen he is public spirited, and always ready not only to urge, but to aid all enterprises to build up and forward the interests of Montpelier. Mr. CROSS is social, courteous, and gentlemanly, and with his friends warm and genial; but he finds his greatest happiness at his own home. He came to Montpelier with only four cents in his pocket, but by his integrity and honesty he has won the confidence and esteem of his large circle of acquaintance. By his indomitable energy, perseverance, and constant industry, he has earned a competence, and now at the advanced age of three-score and fifteen years he is quite well preserved in mind and body, and is still active in business.

      In 1835 Mr. CROSS united in marriage with Miss Caroline HOUSTON, of Enfield, who still survives. Their children are George H., of St. Johnsbury, who is successfully conducting the business of baker and confectioner. L. Bart CROSS, of Montpelier, since January, 1863, the junior member of C. H. CROSS & Son, was appointed sutler of the 3d Regt. Vt. Vols., but returned home after a year and six months on account of ill health. He, like his father, is an enterprising citizen and has aided in building up his town. Oscar N. resides with his father, and is engaged in manufacturing a valuable dry air refrigerator of his own invention. Their two daughters died in childhood.

      Gen. Parley Peabody PITKIN was born in Marshfield, Vt., March 9, 1826. His father, Truman PITKIN, was the son of Hon. Stephen PITKIN, who settled in Marshfield in March, 1795. His maternal grandfather was Gen. Parley DAVIS, who settled near the center of the town of Montpelier in May, 1787. He was the second son of Truman and Rebecca (DAVIS) PITKIN. His mother died in his early childhood, and he was brought up under the direction of his grandfather, Gen. DAVIS. He received his education at the common schools and at Washington County Grammar School. In 1851 he was attacked with the prevailing "gold fever," and emigrated to California, where he spent three years in mining and in trading, with success. He then returned to his home in East Montpelier, where he remained until the Rebellion broke out in 1861. Mr. PITKIN represented his town in the legislature in 1859 and 1860, and in the extra session at the commencement of the war. He at once offered his services to his country, and June 6, 1861, was commissioned quartermaster of the 2d Regt. Vt. Volt., with which he went to the front. Hon. E. P. WALTON was then in Washington and says he "well remembers the astonishment of the red tape gentlemen of the War Department at the promptitude of Quartermaster-General PITKIN in the discharge of his duties, and the vim with which he demanded supplies. His controlling idea was that Vermont boys must be taken care of, and they were at well at an efficient officer could do it." Such was his ability and efficiency that February 21, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of captain. Just before the battle of Antietam he was raised to the rank of colonel and placed at the head of the depot department of the Army of the Potomac. This department he systematically reorganized and placed in, most efficient working order. The immense quantities of war materials that patted through the hands of Gen. PITKIN to supply that vast army is truly astonishing. But he was equal to every emergency. Gen. PITKIN continued an efficient officer in this responsible position until November, 1864, when he resigned it to accept the office of quartermaster-general of the state of Vermont. He found in the state arsenal somewhat antiquated arms, vastly in excess of the wants of the state, which with the aid of some New York brokers he succeeded in selling to foreign nations, and which materially swelled the state treasury, and lifted a part of the burden of taxation from the people. In 1865 Gen. PITKIN entered the firm of the Lane Manufacturing Co., of which he had been president since Mr. Lane's death. In 1874-75 he represented Montpelier in the legislature, and since his residence here has been much of the time in town and village offices. Gen. PITKIN is more than medium size, of fine physique, clear, dark eyes, and commanding presence. He is kind and courteous, and is trusted and respected by his fellow citizens. April 14, 1848, he was united in marriage with Caroline M., daughter of James TEMPLETON, of East Montpelier. Their children are Clarence H., an able lawyer, of the firm of PITKIN & HUSE; C. P., who is secretary and treasurer of the Lane Manufacturing Company, and representative of Montpelier; F. E., a farmer; and F. I., a clerk in the employ of the Lane Manufacturing Company.

Gazetteer Of Washington County, Vt. 1783-1899, 
Compiled and Published by Hamilton Child,
Edited By William Adams.
The Syracuse Journal Company, Printers and Binders.
Syracuse, N. Y.; April, 1889.
Pages 353- 375
 

Transcribed by Karima Allison, 2003