History of Addison County Vermont Collections – Page 10 of 23

Biographical Sketch of Plinney Wicker

John, Plinney and Ira Wicker, three brothers, came into town at a later date, perhaps in 1814. They were all mechanics and farmers. They built the house where F. G. Converse now lives, and kept a hotel, taking their turn in the management of the house, working the farm and working at their trades. John was the father of Mrs. A. H. Rice. The widow of Ira resides in town, a lady past eighty years. Roswell Mosley was an early settler in town, first commencing on the farm where F. D. Williams now resides, and subsequently removing into the south … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Phineas Kitchel

Phineas Kitchel, born in Hanover in October, 1763, removed to Bridport in 1798, locating upon the farm now owned by John Melvin. Here he carried on his trade as weaver, to which he finally added blacksmithing and carriagemaking. He died in 1853, aged ninety years. Joseph, son of Phineas, born in 1794, died in 1852. Oscar F. Kitchel is a descendant.

Biographical Sketch of Philo S. Severance

Severance, Philo S., Middlebury, was born in Middlebury, Vt., on February 28, 1840. His parents were Samuel and (Maria) Munger Severance. Samuel S. was born in Middlebury, Vt., on May 23, 1809, and was a son of Samuel Severance, sr., who was an early settler. He was educated in t he common schools, and brought up to farming. He inherited a portion of the home place, and always resided on that place. He was married in September, 1833, to Maria L. Munger, a daughter of Samuel Munger. They had a family of two daughters and two sons. The two sons … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Philo D. Percival

Percival, Philo D., Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh p. o., was born in Keene, Essex county N. Y., in 1827. He settled in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1866, when he purchased the custom and merchant flouring mill at North Ferrisburgh Vt., and in 1877 sold one-half of his interest to Judge N. J. Allen; and he retired from the business in 1885, renting his interest. He is now engaged in the culture of small fruits, and also is interested in the culture of bees, having a large apiary. He has been justice of the peace for ten years, and has also been county … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Philip B. Cloyes

Cloyes, Philip B., Middlebury, was born in Salisbury, Vt., on September 15, 1838. He was, a son of Elijah and Maria (Beach) Cloyes. Elijah Cloyes was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., in December, 1797, and came to Addison county, Vt., in 1802, settling in Salisbury, Vt. He married a daughter of Philip Beach. He was a resident of Salisbury, Vt., for forty years; was selectman and justice of the peace for many years. He had a family of eight children, seven of whom are now living. Elijah Cloyes died in February, 1874. His son, Philip B. Cloyes, was educated in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Peter Tully

Tully, Peter, Cornwall, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in June, 1810. His parents were John and Bridget (Rogers) Tully. He came to America in 1835, and went to Harrisburgh, Penn., where he remained one year, and enlisting in 1836 in the First Artillery U. S. army he was sent to Florida, and under the command of General Jessup was present at the battle of the Everglades, and took part in the exploring which was under the command of Lieutenant Fowler, and in which expedition Fowler lost his life. He was in the Cherokee campaign, after which he was sent … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Peleg Whitford

Peleg Whitford, the founder of the Whitford family in Addison, was born in Rhode Island in 1744, and after three months’ schooling was apprenticed to a tailor. He married in the town of Coventry, and removed to Lanesboro, Mass., living for a short time near a place called “Cheshire Meeting-House,” and since known as “Whitford’s Rocks.” In the spring of 1781 he again moved, this time to Shaftsbury, Vt., where he remained until February, 1802, when he sold out and came to this town, and resided here until his death, at the age of eighty-eight years. His only son, William, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Payne Converse

Payne Converse, from Thompson, Conn., came to Bridport in 1793 among the early settlers. He brought with him twelve children; nine were sons; only three remained permanently located in town–Gardner, Hamblin and Alfred, all prominent men. Gardner C. was a surveyor, a justice of the peace and town clerk twenty-two years in all. Hamblin C. was prominent in all town affairs, selectman, lister, etc. Alfred C. was a blacksmith. Mrs. W. D. Hindes is a great-granddaughter of Alfred. Payne Converse located just east of the academy upon the farm now owned by E. L. Miner. F. G. Converse is a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Paris Fletcher

Paris Fletcher was born in Woodstock, Vt., March 21, 1794, and at the age of sixteen years came to Bridport, and engaged with his brother James, who came here two years previous, in the saddle and harness-making business. Young Fletcher’s inclinations, however, were towards a more active and speculative life, and he soon became a general merchant, in which vocation he displayed the same ability and energy that characterized him in all ventures of his life, from shop-boy to bank president. Mr. Fletcher was held in the highest esteem by his townsmen, whom he served in most of the important … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Orton T. Barnum

Barnum, Orton T., Monkton, Bristol p. o., was born in Monkton, Vt., in 1838. He is one of the leading farmers of his county and also one of the representative men, having held most of the town offices, and representing the town in the Legislature in 1876 and 1877. He was married in 1864 to Amanda Dean, a daughter of Carlton and Celestia (French) Dean. They have had three children born to them — Mary A., Harry Orton, and Edward T., who died at the age of two years. Orton T. was a son of Philemon and Rebecca (Thomas) Barnum. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Orange L. Gage

Gage, Orange L., Ferrisburgh, V ergennes p. o., was born in Ferri sburgh, Vt., in 1828. He now owns and occupies the old homestead of seventy acres, which was purchased by his father over seventy years ago, and on which he has erected a fine brick mansion. He was married in January, 1858, to Sarah Hitchcock. They had a family of three children born to them — Hattie M., aged six years, died on August 7, 1877, and also their baby, aged one and a half years; his wife died on August 7, 1877, and also their daughter Clara, on … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Oliver Smith

Smith, Oliver, New Haven, was born in New Haven, Vt., on January 4, 1804. He resided on the homestead until 1877, when he removed to New Haven, Vt. He has been a prominent man in his town, having represented his town in the Legislature for three terms; served as a judge of the county for three terms, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1860. He was married on March 24, 1830, to Adaline Doud, a daughter of Silas and Irena (Scoville) Doud, who were early settlers in New Haven, Vt. They have had seven children born to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Norman C. Brooks

Brooks, Norman C., New Haven, was born in the town of Middlebury, Addison county, Vt., on October 20, 1824. He is a manufacturer of edged tools. He married Emily Atwood, who, was a daughter of Isaac and Betsey (Farr) Atwood, of Brandon, Vt. They have no children. Norman C. was a son of Barzeliel and Polly (Crane) Brooks, who were natives of Caanan, Conn. His father was a blacksmith by trade, a trade which he learned in his native State. Hesettled in the town of New Haven, Vt., in 1818, where he worked at his trade for ten years; he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Noble S. Dewey

Dewey, Noble S., Middlebury, was born in Middlebury, Addison county, Vt., in February, 1835. His parents were Enoch and Sallie (Cushman) Dewey. He was educated in the common schools, and brought up to farming, remaining at home until becoming of age, when he went to New York city, where he engaged in the wall paper and window curtain business with his brother, J. E. Dewey, and remained there until 1882, when he settled on the place formerly the home of his father, Enoch Dewey. He engaged in farming seventy-five acres in addition to the home place, and also the former … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Noble L. Kimball

Kimball, Noble L., Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh p. o., was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1847. He was married in 1873 to L. Tracy, of Monkton, Vt., who was born in 1843. They have had two children born to them — Mary J. and Alice P. Isabella L. (Tracy) Kimball was a daughter of Thomas F. and Rebecca (Powers) Tracy. They had afamily of two children — Hartwell (born in 1832) and Isabella L. Noble L. Kimball was a son of Lyman and Phebe (Ball) Kimball. Phebe (Ball) Kimball was a daughter of Alvin and Mary (Siple) Ball, of Ferrisburgh, Vt. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nicholas H. Guindon

Guindon, Nicholas H., Lincoln, was born in New Haven, Vt., on September 3, 1830. His father, Gabriel Guindon, was for many years a resident of New Haven, Vt. He was of French Canadian parents, and was born in the town of Moscow, Province of Quebec, on May 1, 1802. He was married in June, 1828, to Lydia Purinton, a daughter of Chase Purinton. They had a family of three children born to them — Nicholas H., Jasper R. (now a resident of Lynn, Mass.), and Cleora C. (who married Ezra Page, of Lincoln, Vt.; is now a widow). Gabriel Guindon, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nelson Chase

Chase, Nelson, Lincoln, one of the residents of Lincoln, Vt. Was born in Waltham, Vt., on August 19, 1813. He settled in Lincoln, Vt., in 1868, and then purchased 100 acres of the Purinton estate, locally known as Elder Hill, and where he has since resided. His father, Benjamin Chase, was born in Rhode Island on March 13, 1790. He married Fannie Smith, who was born on July 4, 1794. They had a family of four children born to them. Benjamin Chase was a son of Nathan Chase, and was married on April 29, 1731, to Elizabeth Shaw. They had … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nelson A. Saxton

Saxton, Nelson A., Waltham, was born in Vermont on May 2, 1808. He was a son of James Saxton, who settled in Vermont in 1799. He was married on November 18, 1835, to Achsa Fisher, who was a daughter of George and Achsa (Elmer) Fisher, of Waltham, Vt. Mr. Saxton purchased the Fisher homestead in 1841, and resided there until the time of his death, which occurred on July 22, 1874. He was a successful breeder of fine sheep, and ranked high among the best breeders of his day. He held several of the town offices, and represented his town … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathaniel G. Norton

Norton, Nathaniel G., Vergennes, was born in Chittenden county, Vt., in February, 1831, and settled in Vergennes, Vt., in 1868, and engaged in the manufacture of flour and general milling business, purchasing the city mill on the island at Vergennes, Vt. His mill was destroyed by fire and he re-built the same in June, 1878, of brick. It is now a building 45 x 52, and two and one-half stories and a basement, located at the falls, with three run stone. They deal largely in flour and feed, and also in building lumber. He was married in 1851 to Lucretia … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathaniel Elitharp

Nathaniel Elitharp was the first settler on the farm now owned by J. D. Brooks, locating here about the year 1791. Prosper and Halsey C. are his descendants.