Addison County VT

Biographical Sketch of Maylon E. Taylor

Taylor, Maylon E., New Haven, was born in Salisbury, Vt., on April 26, 1826. He went to Michigan in 1844, and remained there until 1852, when he returned to Vermont, and has been a resident of New Haven, Vt., ever since. He was married in 1859 to Ellen Mills, a daughter of Ralph and Abigail (Sumner) Mills. They have had three children born to them — Samuel L., Ira M., and Herbie M. Mr. Taylor is a representative farmer of New Haven, Vt., and occupies a farm of 312 acres, and also keeps a dairy of thirty cows. He was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Reuben Parker Jr.

Parker, Reuben, Jr., Ferrisburgh, was born in Underhill, Chittenden county, Vt., on April 25, 1840, and settled in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1857. He has been lister of the town for two terms, was selectman for five terms, and held other minor offices. He represented his town in the Legislature in 1884 and 1885. He is a general farmer, and a son of Reuben and Susan Ann (Rogers) Parker. He was born in Manchester, Bennington county, Vt., in 1719, and she was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. They died in Ferrisburgh, Vt. Reuben was a son of Benjamin Parker, who was … Read more

Addison Vermont – Churches

The Grandview House, located upon the summit of Snake Mountain, was built in 1874 by Jonas N. Smith, the present proprietor. It has an observatory sixty-eight feet in height, from which an unexcelled view of the surrounding country may be obtained, showing quite distinctly the old forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, a fine view of Lake George, South Bay, West Whitehall, Lake Champlain from South Bay to Cumberland Head, Crown Point village and furnaces, Port Henry and its two furnaces, Moriah Four Corners, Moriah Center, Mineville, Westport, Split Rock, Point Essex, the spires of churches in Plattsburgh, Middlebury, Vergennes, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. C. Hamilton

Hamilton, A. C., Cornwall, was born in Bridport, V t., on July 19, 1843, and is the only son of Hosea and Lucetta (Cooley) Hamilton. Hosea Hamilton was born in Bridport, Vt., in 1805, and was the son of James Hamilton, one of the early pioneers of Addison county, Vt. He was a resident of Bridport for many years, but the latter part of his life was spent in Cornwall, Vt., at the home of his son, where he died on January 26, 1885. A. C. Hamilton was educated in the common schools of Addison and in the academy at … Read more

Biography of Judge Henry Lane

Henry Lane

LANE, JUDGE HENRY. James Lane, grandfather of Henry, born in 1769, came from Mansfield, Conn., and settled in Cornwall, Vt., in the year 1800 on the farm now owned and occupied by the judge. He died July 3, 1801. He left three sons — Job, James and William. James Lane pursued his professional studies with Doctor Ford, of Cornwall, and practiced his profession many years in Ohio. He died there, leaving a family of three children. William Lane was an enterprising and successful farmer, a public-spirited and useful citizen ; but in the midst of his activity he lost his … 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

Biography of Asahel Barnes

Asahel Barnes was a native of Bristol, Conn. From there he removed to New Haven, where he remained about seven years, then went to Canada and remained two years, and finally in 1823 came to Addison, locating upon the place now occupied by his son Asahel, Jr. The earliest settler on this place was Benjamin Paine, though Mr. Barnes bought it of James Lewis, whose wife was an adopted daughter of Paine. Mr. Barnes died In June, 1859, in his eighty-second year, while on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Alfred Roscoe, of New Haven. Asahel, Jr., was born in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of E. J. Mathews

Mathews, E. J., Middlebury, was born in Middlebury, Vt., on May 5, 1827. His parents were Eli and Annis (Lothrop) Mathews. Deacon Eli Mathews was born in Stoneham, Mass., on February 16, 1794, and came to Addison county, Vt., with his father, Captain Timothy Mathews, soon after 1800, and first settled in Middlebury village, where Timothy Mathews followed his trade of shoemaking. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and commanded a company from Addison county, Vt., in the War of 1812. He died on September 4. 1857. Eli was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that business in Middlebury village until … Read more

Biography of Julius Preston Douglas

DOUGLAS, JULIUS PRESTON. Among the pioneers of Addison county was the family of James Marsh Douglas, who came from Cornwall, Conn., to the town of Cornwall, Addison county, in 1784, where James Marsh Douglas died in 1790. His son, Benajeh Douglas, was born in Cornwall, Conn., August 5, 1780; was a successful farmer and hotel keeper in Cornwall, Vt., for many years. He was much interested in militia affairs in the early days. His first wife was Salome Scott, by whom he had two children, one daughter and one son. His second wife was Betsey Preston. To that union were … 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 Russel T. Young

Young, Russel T., Lincoln, South Starksboro p. o., was born in Starksboro, Vt., on August 22, 1844. He now owns and occupies a farm of 360 acres. He was selectman for two years and highway commissioner for two years. His wife was Mary Green, a daughter of Stephen Green, of Starksboro, Vt. She was born in that town on February 7, 1845. They have had a family of four children born to them — Walter H., Stephen, and Carrie. Walter H. is now a student at a school in Buffalo, N. Y.

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Z. Brown

Brown, Joseph Z., Weybridge, was born in St. Thomas, Canada, on January 6, 1829. His parents were Mitchell and Brown. He received no education whatever, and was brought up to farming; remained at home until the year 1846, when he came to Addison county, Vermont, and settled in Cornwall, and remained there three years and worked for Chauncey Stowell. He came to Weybridge, Addison county, Vt., and worked for Philo Jewett for one year, after which he worked for Sardis Dodge, John Childs, and many others. While with Colonel Dodge he learned the carpenter and joiners’ trade with Leonard Johnson, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William W. Varney

Varney, William W., Lincoln, James Varney was the ancestor of this family. He came to the town of Lincoln, Vt., from Dover, N. H., about 1796. He married Mary Meader, and settled on the farm which is now owned and occupied by his grandson, William W. Varney, and Irvin A. Colby. He had a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in Lincoln, Vt. Of these children only one son is now living, Daniel Varney, of Fond du Lac,, Wis. William Varney was born on August 15, 1823. He now owns and occupies a part … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Munroy D. Parmelee

Parmelee, Munroy D., Middlebury, was born in the town of Bristol, Addison county, Vt., on January 14, 1829. His parents were Harvey and Arzina (Drake) Parmelee. He was educated in the common schools and also attended one term at the high school at Bakersfield; was brought up to farming and remained at home until the time of his marriage, which occurred December 30, 1851. His wife was Louisa M. Partch, who was a daughter of Dr. T. Partch, of Hinesburg, Vt. Mr. Parmelee purchased a farm on Bristol Flats, where he resided for twenty years. He then went to Iowa, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elisha H. Landon

Landon, Elisha H., New Haven, was born in Salisbury, Conn., October 1, 1800, where he was educated; in 1821 he came to New Haven, Vt., and served as a clerk in the store of Rodman Chapman for three years, after which he engaged in the mercantile business in Bristol, Vt., and later in New Haven, Vt. He engaged in farming in 1832, a business in which he has since engaged, continuing until the time of his retirement from active life. He was agent for the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company, for Rutland and Addison counties, for forty years, and has … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Mack

Mack, Thomas, Vergennes, was born in Waterbury, Washington county, Vt., in 1853, and settled in Vergennes, Vt., in 1872, as a mechanic, manufacturing sash, doors, and blinds, and later he became a grocer and provision dealer. He was unfortunately burned out three times in four years, and in 1882 he embarked in the coal business, taking the old yard founded by Captain Hall. He also is a manufacturer of pure apple cider. He was a water commissioner in 1879, and one of the prudential school committee in 1876, ’77, ’78, and 1879; was one of the aldermen for 1880, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Williams

Joseph Williams came into town about 1785; first settled on the farm now owned by Rodbert Hutchingson, where he carried on the clothiers’ trade by coloring and dressing home-made woolen cloth. He subsequently gave this business to his son Amasa, and bought the place where his grandson, F. A. Williams now resides, where helived many yers and died in 1847, aged eighty-one years.

Biography of Martin W. Winans

Winans, Martin W., Ferrisburgh, Vergennes p. o., was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., on February 12, 1823. He was married in 1865 to Ida A. (Newton) Webster. Mr. Martin W. Winans died on May 19, 1885, leaving three sons — James F., born 1869; Herbert W., born 1874; and Frank L. N., born June 15, 1877. Mrs. Ida Winans married for her first husband Doctor Jonas Webster, in 1856. He died in June, 1863. She was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1833, and was a daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Smith) Newton. Joseph was a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., … Read more

Biography of L. L. Wright

Wright, L. L., Cornwall, was born in Weybridge, Vt., on June 18, 1811. His parents were Samuel and Electa (Langdon) Wright. Samuel Wright was born in Amherst, Mass., on August 18, 1785, and came with his father, Silas Wright, to Addison county, Vt., in 1796. He died October 4, 1860. Silas Wright was born on March 17, 1760, and settled in Weybridge, Vt., on the place now owned by Mrs. John Childs and son. He had a family of three daughters and four sons, only two of whom are now living — Daniel L. (born on April 20, 1799 ; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Braisted

William Braisted, from Sussex county, N. J., in 1786 first located upon the farm now owned by his grandson, William R. Braisted, a farmer who has represented the town in the Legislature, and held other town offices.