History of Waterbury, (Washington County) Vermont United States of America

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Biographies:

Ezra Butler, governor of Vermont, was born in Lancaster, Mass., Sept. 24, 1763, son of Asaph and Jane (McAllister) Butler. He was engaged in farming in early life, and served as a soldier in the patriot army when seventeen years old. In 1785 he was married and went with his bride through the wilderness to Vermont, where he had built the first house in Waterbury. In 1791 he joined the Baptist church, and in 1800 did his first preaching in the neighboring town of Bolton, later becoming pastor of the newly established church at Waterbury, where he continued as elder and preacher until within a few years of his death. He was the town clerk, a member of the legislature for eleven years, and a member of the council sixteen years. In 1813-14 he was a representative to the 13th Congress, and served as county judge and chief justice until 1825, when he was elected first assistant judge. In 1822 he was a delegate to the state constitutional convention. In 1826 he was elected governor of the state and was re-elected in 1827 without opposition. During his administration he was active in forwarding the cause of education and in suppressing lotteries. He was a presidential elector in 1804, 1820 and 1830, a member of the committee that fixed the site for the first state house, and planned the state's prison and state arsenal. From 1810 to 1816 he was a trustee of the University of Vermont. He died in Waterbury, Vt., July 12, 1838.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Lucius B. Peck, representative, was born in Waterbury, Vt., in October, 1802; son of Gen. John and Anna (Benedict) Peck; grandson of John and Mary (Drown) Peck, and a descendant in the seventh generation of Joseph Peck, who came from Hingham, Norfolk county, England, to Hingham, Mass., in 1638. He was admitted to the U.S. Military academy as a cadet, July l, 1822, but left after one year's study on account of ill health and studied law with Judge Samuel Prentiss at Montpelier and with Dennison Smith at Barre, with whom he formed a partnership immediately after his admission to the bar in September, 1825. He was married, May 10, 1832, to Martha, daughter of Ira Day of Barre, Vt. He represented Barre in the state legislature in 1831; removed to Montpelier and practised law there, 1832-66, the later years of his life in partnership with B.F. Fifield. He was a Democratic representative from the second district of Vermont in the 30th and 31st congresses, 1847-51, and U.S. district attorney for Vermont, 1853-57. He was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor of Vermont in two elections, and president of the Vermont and Canada railroad, 1859-66. He died suddenly in Lowell, Mass., Dec. 28, 1866.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William Wells, soldier, was born in Waterbury, Vt., Dec. 14, 1837; son of William Wellington and Eliza (Carpenter) Wells, and a descendant of Hugh Wells, who emigrated from Essex, England, in 1635. He attended the academy at Barre, Vt., and at Meriden, N.H., and later entered his father's office. He enlisted as a private in the 1st Vermont cavalry, Oct. 3, 1861, was commissioned 1st lieutenant, October 14, promoted captain, November 18, and served in the Shenandoah Valley under General Banks, being at Strasburg during Jackson's attack at Front Royal, May 23-25, 1862. Banks's corps joined Pope's army August 9, as the 2d corps, and his brigade of cavalry under Buford was engaged from Cedar Mountain, Va., to the second Bull Run. Wells was promoted major, Oct. 30, 1862, and at Gettysburg was in the 1st brigade (Farnsworth), 3d division (Kilpatrick), and rode beside General Farnsworth in his famous charge at Little Round Top. During the pursuit of Lee's army he was wounded in two actions, at Boonsboro, Md., July 11, and at Culpeper Court-House Va., Sept. 13, 1863, and participated in Kilpatrick's raid to Richmond, Feb. 25-March 4, 1864. When the cavalry was reorganized under Sheridan, Wells's regiment was put in the 2d brigade, 3d division (J. H. Wilson), and took part in Sheridan's raid around Lee, fighting at Yellow Tavern, Va., May 11, 1864. Wells commanded his regiment at Cold Harbor, June 1, and was promoted colonel, June 4, 1864. He fought in Sheridan's Shenandoah campaign, commanding the 2d brigade, 3d division (Custer), at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864, and later joined Grant's army. He was brevetted brigadier-general, Feb. 22, 1865, major-general, March 30, 1865, was for a short time commander of a division, and on May 19, 1865, was promoted brigadier-general of volunteers and assigned to the command of the 1st separate brigade of the 2d corps (A. A. Humphreys) and was mustered out Jan. 15, 1866. General Wells was married in January, 1866, to Arahannah Richardson of Fitchburg, Mass. He was a representative in the Vermont legislature, 1865-66, adjutant-general of Vermont, 1866-72, collector of customs for the district of Vermont, 1872-85, and state senator, 1886-87. He died in New York city, April 29, 1892.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William Paul Dillingham, governor of Vermont, was born in Waterbury, Vt., Dec. 12, 1843; son of Paul and Julia (Carpenter) Dillingham. His education was acquired at the Newbury seminary and at Kimball Union academy. He was admitted to the bar in 1867. In 1866 he was appointed secretary of civil and military affairs, and again held that office, 1874-76. In 1872 he was made state's attorney for Washington county and was re-elected in 1874. He was a state representative in 1876 and 1884; a state senator in 1878 and 1880; tax commissioner of the state, 1882-88; and governor, 1888-90. He married, in 1874, Mary Ellen, daughter of the Rev. Isaiah H. and Charlotte R. (Cook) Shipman of Lisbon, N.H. He received the degree of A.M. from the University of Vermont in 1886. In 1900 he was elected U.S. senator, to complete the term of Senator Justin S. Morrill, and was re-elected in 1902.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor