Rutland

BIXBY, Armentus Boyden

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, pp 30-32

Armentus Boyden BIXBY, of Poultney [Rutland County, Vermont], was born 26 
June 1834 in Mount Holly [Rutland County, Vermont], son of William Artemus 
and Hannah (STODDARD) BIXBY. He is of English descent on both sides and is 
of the seventh generation from Joseph BIXBY, who emigrated from the mother 
country in 1637 and settled in Massachusetts. The English branch of the 
BIXBY family are of Danish origin. On the STODDARD side he is of the sixth 
generation from Anthony STODDARD who came from London to Boston in 1639. 
[Boston organized in 1630; Suffolk County created 1643.] Anthony STODDARD 
was a descendant of William STODDARD, a knight who came from Normandy in 
England, A. D. 1066, with William the Conqueror, who was his cousin.

While he was still an infant his parents moved to Shellersville 
[Shalersville, Portage County], Ohio, where both of them died, leaving him an 
orphan at the age of seven years. He returned to Vermont and obtained his 
support by labor upon the farm during the summer, while devoting his winters 
to attendance at the district schools. At the age of nineteen he decided to 
educate himself as a physician. Commencing his preparatory studies at Black 
River Academy, Ludlow [Windsor County, Vermont], and Kimball Union Academy, 
of Meriden [Sullivan County], New Hampshire, he entered Castleton Medical 
College from which he graduated in 1858, completing his course at the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He began his professional labors in 
Londonderry [Windham County, Vermont] in 1860, and built up a large and 
extensive practice in that and the adjoining towns. Obeying the call of 
duty, he offered his services to the government and was made assistant 
surgeon of the Fourth Regiment Vermont Volunteers, continuing in the army 
from 06 October 1862 to 30 September 1864, when he returned to his former 
labors. In 1882 he was compelled to abandon his practice on account of ill 
health and removed to Poultney [Rutland County, Vermont], where he now 
resides.

In his religious belief Dr. BIXBY is a liberal Baptist. He has always been 
an active worker in the church, but his labors have never been characterized 
by narrow sectarianism. For some years he was a licensed preacher in the 
Methodist church and labored as a revivalist with marked success. During the 
agitation of the slavery question he was a strong opponent of that 
institution and has ever acted with the Republican party until 1884, when he 
withdrew and became an active Prohibitionist. He was a member of their state 
committee for a number of years and chairman of the state convention of 1888. 
He was sent as a delegate to the national convention which nominated Clinton 
B. FISK for the presidential chair. His eminent qualifications for official 
position were demonstrated by the fact that he was the choice of his 
constituents for the position of state treasurer in 1888 and his popularity 
was evinced by his running ahead of his ticket. He also received the 
nomination for the position of judge of probate for Rutland County in 1892. 
In the presidential campaign of 1888 he took the platform and advocated the 
principles of his party in nearly all parts of the state, speaking eloquently 
and effectively.

On 17 March Dr. [Armentus Boyden] BIXBY was united in marriage to Annie, 
daughter of Luther and Polly (HEMMENWAY) FRENCH of Mount Holly [Rutland 
County, Vermont], who died 10 June 1860, leaving one daughter, Lola Ann. On 
09 October 1862, as his second wife, he [Armentus Boyden BIXBY] married 
Elnora F., daughter of Lewis and Mary (AIKEN) HOWARD of Londonderry [Windham 
County, Vermont]. One daughter has blessed the union: Salome Eliza. Dr. 
BIXBY is pre-eminently a self-made man, who, left an orphan in early 
childhood, yet struggled successfully to educate himself and by unaided 
efforts attained an honorable position in the community. Independent in idea 
and action, he is respected by all who know him for the probity of his life 
and character, and has always proved himself a firm friend to those in 
adversity and a kind and considerate neighbor.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly