Addison County VT

Biographical Sketch of Wallace J. Thompson

Thompson, Wallace J., Vergennes, was born in Bridport, Addison county, Vt., in 1834. He was in early life a farmer, and in 1874 he engaged in the general grocery and provision trade, also dealing in butter and cheese, and still continues the management of the farm. He has been lister of his town. He was married in 1864 to Wilhelmina Preston, of Vergennes, Vt. He was a son of Julius W. and Hester A. (Bacon) Thompson, who were married in 1832. Hester was born in 1811 and died in 1874, and Julius W. was born in 1806 and died in … Read more

Bristol Vermont – Municipal

Bristol village occupies a commanding site upon an elevated plain- about one hundred and twenty feet above the bed of New Haven River, just after that stream leaves the wild ravine known as “The Notch.” Lying thus at the very base of Hogback Mountain, with South Mountain on the southeast, fine examples of the picturesque wildness of nature, nearly approaching grandeur, are ever present to the beholder, and in rare contrast to the fertile plains north and south, and the broad view sweeping westward to the Adirondacks of Northern New York. The village itself lies principally upon four streets, North, … Read more

Biography of Ezra Brainerd, Jr.

Ezra Brainerd, Jr., has been an active representative of the legal fraternity of Muskogee for the past seventeen years, enjoying an extensive clientage that has connected him with much important litigation tried in the courts of the district. He was born in Middlebury, Vermont, on the 26th of August, 1878, a son of Ezra and Frances (Rockwell) Brainerd, the former at one time president of Middlebury College. Excellent educational advantages were accorded him, for his public school training was supplemented by a course of study in Worcester Academy of Worcester, Massachusetts, and in Colgate Academy of Hamilton, New York. His … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Cyrus Booth Botsford

Botsford, Cyrus Booth, Vergennes, was born in Newtown, Conn., in April, 1831, and when ten years of age he came to Vergennes, Vt., and lived with his uncle, Cyrus Booth, of Vergennes, Vt., until 1853, when he went to California and worked in the gold mines; remained there about four years, when he returned to Vergennes, Vt. This trip proved a success financially as well as physically. He went to California via the Nicaragua route and returned via the Panama Isthmus. He now owns a homestead of 350 acres, and is an extensive dairyman and stockgrower of Durham and graded … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Skiff

Benjamin A. Skiff, whose grandfather came from Sharon, Conn., in 1805, purchased the farm now owned by his son, Abel P. Here he kept a hotel perhaps twenty years; he died in 1815. Abel P., who is now eighty-five years of age, devotes his time to the culture of peaches, quinces, and pears.

Biographical Sketch of William H. Ten Broeke

Ten Broeke, William H., Panton, was born in Vergennes, Vt., in 1832. He is a farmer, and occupies the old homestead. He was a town clerk for twenty-three years, and has held many of the town offices. He also has been a music teacher. He was married in 1857 to Sarah Hayes, of Ferrisburgh, Vt. She was a daughter of Alanson and Parmelia (Roberts) Hayes, and died in 1873 on August 4, leaving a family of five children, three of whom are now living — James, Sarah E., and Isabella. William H. Ten Broeke then married for his second wife … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Chester B. Hack

Hack, Chester B., Orwell, was a native of Brandon, Vt., and settled in Orwell, Vt., about fifty years ago, and is one of the most respected of her adopted sons. William C. Hack, a son of Chester B. Hack, was the first person to introduce Holstein cattle in Orwell, Vt., and in this he takes rank as a pioneer. His first importation was from the celebrated stock farm of Smith & Powell, of Onondaga county, N. Y. Subsequent importations by others, and the good results therefrom, attest Mr. Hack’s judgment in his selection. His farm is popularly known as “Maple … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Herbert W. Clifford

Clifford, Herbert W., Monkton, Monkton Ridge p. o., was born in Starksboro, Vt., in 1862. He is a general merchant at Monkton Ridge, and settled here in March, 1885, dealing in a full line of goods of all descriptions. He was married in 1883 to Elsie L. Ray, of Monkton, Vt. They have had one daughter born to them, Carrie. Elsie (Ray) Clifford was a daughter of Byron and Carrie V. Ray. Herbert W. Clifford was a son of Richard and Clarinda (Hill) Clifford, of Starksboro, Vt. Richard is a son of Ebenezer Clifford, who was born in New Hampshire, … 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 Adolphus A. Gravline

Gravline, Adolphus A., Vergennes, was born in Canada, Province of Quebec, on June 16, 1847. He settled in Vergennes, Vt., on July 25, 1874, and erected his present fine dwelling and shop buildings, and established a fine business, engaging in the general smithing, wagon and carriage manufacturing, and repairing trade. He was married in September, 1873, to Mary Agan, of New York city. They have had a family of five children born to them — Eugene P., Lizzie, Mattie, Mabel, and Amy. Adolphus Gravle in was a son of Eugene and Mary Gravline. He died in 1882. He had a … Read more

Biography of Nicholas J. McCuen

McCUEN, NICHOLAS J. resident of the city of Vergennes, Vt., son of Robert and Mary (Foster) McCuen, was born in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland, on the 15th day of August, 1851, and came to this country at the age six months. A portion of his father’s early days was passed in England. Later he owned and carried on a farm, owned and ran a number of looms for the manufacture of linen; also he speculated quite extensively in grain and mill stuff. Adverse circumstances, caused by the failure of crops in 1847, induced him to come to this country, where … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel H. Wright

Wright, Daniel H., New Haven, was born in the town of Waybridge, Vt., on August 9, 1805, and settled on the farm he now occupies in 1827, most of which he has cleared and made all improvements. He is a very prominent farmer, and in the time of militia took an active part in military affairs, and held a commission of second lieutenant under General Nash. He was married on March 14, 1827, to Betsey H. Calkins, who was a daughter of Joshua and Parmelia (Peck) Calkins, of Waltham, Vt. They have had eight children born to them — Henry … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jared Ives

Jared Ives, from Cheshire, Conn., settled in 1787 on the west side of the road, north of David Pratt. Enos Ives lived nearly across the road from him. John Rockwell, jr., came to Cornwall from Ridgefield, Conn., in 1784, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his grandson, S. S. Rockwell. He first built on the west side of the road. He gradually acquired an extensive farm, which, after his death at the age of seventy-one years, September 5, 1825, become the property of his son, John Rockwell, who conveyed the farm to his son, the present … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel Hamblin

Daniel Hamblin came to Bridport from Guilford, Conn., when there were but two families in the township. After the war broke out he returned to Guilford, enlisted in the Continental service and served till the cessation of hostilities, when he soon after returned to Bridport and located upon the farm now owned by J. T. Fletcher. His son Alexander, a noted hunter and trapper, succeeded to the homestead. Hiram E., son of Alexander, now resides in the town.

Biographical Sketch of Caleb Wright

Wright, Caleb, New Haven, was born in Weybridge, Vt., on February 13, 1810, and at the age of ten years he came to reside in the town of New Haven. He settled on the farm he now occupies in 1833, and on which he has made all modern improvements. He was married on November 1, 1831, to Harriet Rockwood, a daughter of Ebenezer and Lucinda (Graves) Rockwood, of Bristol, Vt., and by whom he has had five children — Jerusha (Mrs. Alfred Ferguson), Philomelia (Mrs. Orrin Dickinson), Jane A., wife of A. I. Stow (deceased), Martha (Mrs. L. B. Dodge), … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Washington Porter

Porter, George Washington, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes p. o., was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1810. He was married in March, 1834, to Julia Harris, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1809. They had ten children born to them, three of whom are now living — George (who enlisted in the Eleventh Vermont Regiment, served three years and was detailed as musician), Ursilla (who married William Bard), and Louisa (who was married to Austen Booth). George Washington Porter was a son of Noah and Polly (Pangburn) Porter. Mrs. Porter was born in Champlain, N. Y., and Mr. Porter was born in Ferrisburgh, … Read more

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 Lester Griswold

Griswold, Lester, Orwell, was the second son of Griswold the pioneer, and was born on April 18, 1786. He was married to Lucinda Parks, a daughter of Asa Parks, also an early pioneer, and to them were born six children-William C., Lucretia L., Asa Parks, Olivia L., Emmitt Darwin, and Georgianna Augusta. Of these children Emmitt Darwin is one of the substantial men of Orwell, Vt., who believe in doing well whatever is worth doing at all. His farm is among the best, and is stocked with the choicest bloods. His cattle are thoroughbred “Jerseys; ” sheep of the finest … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John H. Donnelly

Donnelly, John H., Vergennes, was born in Clinton county, N. Y., in 1855. He was educated in Ontario College, and commenced his business life as a merchant tailor in Vergennes,Vt., in 1878, where he enjoys the popular trade of the town. He has his place of business on Main street and gives employment to from fifteen to twenty hands. He was elected alderman in 1885, and has been one of the city police. John H. Donnelly was a son of Thomas and Mary (McDonnold) Donnelly, who were natives of Limerick, Ireland, where they were married. They settled in Keeseville, N. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Shadrach Norton

Shadrach Norton settled in 1784 on the farm now owned by Charles Stevens. In 1787 Benjamin Hall bought of Joseph Plumb and located on the place now owned by J. M. Stevens. Three years earlier Barzillai Stickney settled on the next farm south. He was chosen constable at the organization of the town. The same year Daniel Scovel, from Cornwall, Conn., located on the farm now the home of Walter Atwood, where he died in 1813. His brother, Ezra Scovel, settled also in 1784 on the present farm of H. S. Scovel, his grandson David B. Woodruff made his pitch … Read more