Bennington

PUFFER, Norman Martin

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 330-332

Col. Norman Martin PUFFER, a successful business man of Bennington 
[Bennington County, Vermont] whose connection with industrial interests has 
been of decided advantage to this portion of the state, promoting its 
material welfare to no small degree, is a partner in and treasurer of the 
Bennington Knitting Company, advancing to this position entirely through his 
own efforts. Colonel PUFFER is of German lineage on the paternal side and 
English descent on the maternal side. Samuel T. PUFFER, born 03 October 1765 
and died 05 October 1842, married [Miss?] Joanna EAMES, born 03 November 1766 
and died 27 November 1820; both were natives of Connecticut. They [Samuel T. 
and Joanna PUFFER] were the parents of thirteen children: Joanna, Phineas, 
Aaron, James, Luther, Sophia, Elijah, Clarissa, Elijah [the second of that 
name, the first Elijah likely deceased], Martin, Windsor, Mary Ann, and 
Samuel.

Martin [PUFFER], of the before named family, was born 02 May 1802 in 
Connecticut, where he was reared and learned the machinist's trade, which he 
followed throughout his entire life. He [Martin PUFFER] married [Miss?] Mary 
Ann FOLLETT, and in 1830 removed with his family to Bennington, where he died 
at the age of fifty-two years [by calculation about 1854]. He was a member 
of the militia, serving with the rank of lieutenant, and in 1840 was 
commissioned captain, and was well known throughout his portion of the state 
as an accomplished officer. His wife [Mary Ann] long survived him and died 
in 1892 at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Both were members of the 
Universalist church in early life, but later united with the Methodist 
denomination. Mrs. [Martin] PUFFER [formerly Mary Ann FOLLETT] was born in 
1809 in Pawtucket [Providence County], Rhode Island, and by her marriage 
became the mother of six children, five of whom are yet living: (1) Norman 
M., referred to at length hereafter; (2) Maria, widow of George RAYMOND, 
formerly of Bennington [Vermont] and lately of Grand Rapids [Kent County], 
Michigan; (3) Clarissa, the wife of Henry TIFFT, of Hoosick Falls 
[Rensselaer County], New York; (4) Charlotte, who married E. C. GREEN, of 
New York City; (5) Wales W., deceased; and (6) Alfred E., of Des Moines 
[Polk County], Iowa.

Norman Martin PUFFER, of the before named family, was born 04 May 1847 in 
Bennington [Bennington County], Vermont. He acquired his education in the 
common schools and was a boy whose studies were unfinished when he laid aside 
his books and enlisted in his country's service to quell the Rebellion. He 
was only fourteen years old when he enlisted in the Second Regiment Vermont 
Volunteers in 1861, being among the first in the state to offer his services 
to the government. He became a drummer boy and served with the regimental 
band until it was disbanded by order of Congress. He [Norman M. PUFFER] 
re-enlisted in June 1862 as a musician in Company E, Tenth Vermont Infantry, 
with which he remained almost throughout the war; he was transferred to the 
Veteran Reserve Corps 30 September 1864, a veteran of only seventeen years of 
age. He was mustered out 29 June 1865. The historian of his regiment says 
that he was one of the best drummers in the Army of the Potomac, and that he 
was always brave and every ready to do his duty. His brother Wales [PUFFER] 
was also a member of the regimental band, and his brother Alfred [PUFFER] 
served in the navy until the close of the war. Norman M. PUFFER was present 
at the surrender of General LEE, and also took part in the grand review in 
Washington [D. C.], which followed the surrender of southern troops at 
Appomattox, this being the most splendid military pageant ever witnessed on 
the western hemisphere, continuing two days.

The drum which was given him at the beginning of the war he carried until 
1863, when a new one was furnished him. He then sent the old one home by a 
comrade, but it never reached its destination and was lost sight of for 
thirty-five years. In 1898 it was found at a camp fire display which was 
being held in Pittsfield [Berkshire County], Massachusetts, by a Grand Army 
post. A drummer of that post, when on parade at the National Grand Army 
encampment in Washington in 1892, broke his drum and purchased for two 
dollars in a pawn shop the drum which had belonged to PUFFER. The instrument 
was retained by the Grand Army post of Pittsfield until he reunion mentioned, 
when Colonel PUFFER's name and address were found inside the drum, and he 
recovered it. It is still in his possession, a prized relic of the times 
when he followed the starry banner of the nation upon southern battlefields.

In 1872 Colonel [Norman Martin] PUFFER entered the employ of the Valentine 
Knitting Company, and through faithfulness and capability won promotion from 
time to time until he was made superintendent of the finishing department. 
In 1884 he became a member of the firm, and in 1887 was elected treasurer of 
the company, in which capacity he has since served. The house manufactures 
men's, women's and children's underwear on an extensive scale, employing 
eighty skilled operators in the factory, and the product is shipped to all 
parts of the country. The house is widely known for its reliability and the 
excellence of the workmanship, and not a little of its success and 
enviable reputation is attributable to the efforts of its treasurer. He is 
also a director of the Bennington County National Bank.

Colonel PUFFER is one of the most prominent Grand Army men in the state. In 
1873 he assisted in organizing Custer Post, and in 1889 Sixth Corps Post No. 
112, and has several times occupied the position of post commander and was 
commander of the Department of Vermont in 1896-1897; has been many times a 
delegate to state and national encampments, and his collection of badges worn 
on such occasions is remarkably large and complete; and has also been 
aide-de-camp for General W. G. VEAZEY and General J. G. B. ADAMS. He is also 
quite prominent in the order of Odd Fellows, with which he has been 
identified since 1872; has occupied all the chairs of Stark Lodge No. 9; in 
1883 became a member of Bennington Canton, of which he was the first captain; 
he afterward organized the regiment, and was elected its colonel in 1885; 
served in that capacity by successive re-elections until 1890. In 1890 was 
elected grand patriarch of the grand encampment; grand representative to the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge in 1891 in St. Louis, and in 1892 in Portland, Oregon. 
In the Masonic fraternity he is affiliated with Mount Anthony Lodge No 13, 
Temple Chapter No. 8, and Taft Commandery No. 8. Is also member of the order 
of Red Men; has served as senior sagamore and in other of the highest 
official positions. Republican. Has ever been a prime leader in all worthy 
movements. Has frequently served as village trustee, and as village 
president in 1898.

On 27 November 1873 Colonel [Norman Martin] PUFFER married [Miss] Olive F. 
BLACKMER, a daughter of Warren and Betsy (MATTISON) BLACKMER. Warren 
BLACKMER was born was born 23 November 1810 in Bennington [Bennington 
County], Vermont, and died 08 April 1889, a son of Jason and Huldah (WRIGHT) 
BLACKMER. Jason BLACKMER was born 24 April 1770 in Bennington, Vermont, and 
died 09 March 1849, and his wife [Huldah nee WRIGHT] was born in Deerfield 
[Franklin County], Massachusetts. Jason BLACKMER was a son of Samuel 
[BLACKMER], born in 1740 and died 05 April 1813, by his marriage with Abigail 
BRONSON, born in 1740 and died 04 September 1834. Samuel [BLACKMER] was the 
only child of one BLACKMER, who came from Taunton [Bristol County], 
Massachusetts, and located in what was then a trackless wilderness, but is 
now the site of the beautiful village of Bennington. Warren and Betsy 
(MATTISON) BLACKMER were the parents of nine children: Holland, Elmer, 
Dennis M., Anna Eliza, Barbara C., Marion L., Olive F., Effie C., and one who 
died in infancy. Of these, Dennis M., Marion J., and Olive F. are now 
living. Olive F., who is the wife of Colonel [Norman Martin] PUFFER, takes 
an active interest in the Women's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the Grand Army 
of the Republic, and in 1901 she served as president of the Department of 
Vermont. She has also held high official position in the order of Eastern 
Star. Mrs. PUFFER is a zealous and devoted attendant of the Congregational 
church of Bennington. Col. and Mrs. PUFFER [Norman Martin and Olive F. 
(BLACKMER) PUFFER] have a living son, Louis Blackmer PUFFER, born 24 July 
1886, who is a student in the Bennington high school. Two children are 
deceased: Florence, who died 11 September 1875, and Warren B., who died 13 
December 1883, aged seven years.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly