Addison County VT

Biography of Col. Sardis Dodge

DODGE, COL. SARDIS. Among the early settlers of the town of Weybridge were the ancestors of Sardis Dodge, his grandfather, Asa Dodge, sr., being one of the pioneers of that town. Sardis Dodge was born in Weybridge, Addison county, Vt., August 25, 1806, the oldest son of Asa and Mary (Gillett) Dodge. Sardis Dodge was reared after the manner of bringing up New England boys. He attended a district school in the winter season, and wrought upon the farm in the summer. In this way his time was all utilized to good advantage. Mr. Dodge has always been engaged in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Putnam Allen

Allen, Putnam, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes p. o., was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in January, 1816. He has been selectman two terms, lister three terms, a justice of the peace, and county grand juryman, and represented his district in the Legislature in 1872, and now owns 387 acres, and a farm of 100 acres, which was a part of the old homestead purchased in 1800. He was married in 1839 to Mary Ann Beach, a daughter of Stephen and Ann (Penfield) Beach. She died in 1881 leaving a family of eight children, five of whom are now living — Sarah Ann, Mary … Read more

Cornwall Vermont – Industry

The most prominent industry in town, and one for which her people are most widely known, is the raising of sheep. Immediately after the importation of Merino sheep from Spain, by Colonel Humphrey, of Connecticut, and later by Consul Jarvis, of Wethersfield, Vt., some of the farmers of Cornwall procured some of the variety for the purpose of improving their flocks. Merrill and A. L. Bingham have been among the foremost of breeders. They began importing French Merinos about 1846. Hon. Rollin J. Jones, who contributes a valuable portion of our general chapter on sheep raising in the county, has … Read more

Biography of Hon. Edward S. Dana

Edward S. Dana

DANA, HON, EDWARD S. It is believed that every person by the name of Dana in the United States entitled to that name by birth, traces descent from Richard Dana, who came to Cambridge, Mass., from England in the year 1640. Tradition states that Richard’s father emigrated from France to England in 1629, on account of religious persecution. We have it on good authority that the name in France was Dunois, and belonged to a noble family. Judge Bell states that in the southern part of New Hampshire there are families bearing the name who do so by authority of … Read more

Bridport Vermont – Physicians

Dr. H. L. Townsend, born in Plainfield, Vt., August 14, 1860, studied medicine at Burlington, and graduated in 1881. Dr. E. G. Blaisdell, born in Richford, Vt., December 13, 1846, graduated from the University of Vermont in 1871; has practiced medicine in town about fourteen years.

Biography of Benjamin Southard

Benjamin Southard, from New Jersey, settled upon a farm in the southern part of the town; married Cynthia Mason, reared fourteen children, and died August 7, 1845. Ransom Southard is the only descendant now in the town.

Biography of Daniel Champion

Daniel Champion, a Revolutionary soldier, was an early settler, locating near Chimney Point Newell B. Smith, who came here in 1800, and afterward served in the War of 1812, married Electa, one of Daniel’s twelve children. Austin Smith is the only one of their children now living.

Biographical Sketch of Franklin K. Haven

Haven, Franklin K., Vergennes, was born in Bethel, Vt., in 1826; settled in Vergennes, Vt., as a clerk in 1849, and in 1850 engaged in the mercantile business, in which he still continues, dealing largely in gents’ clothing and furnishing goods, boots, shoes, and groceries. He was married in 1852 to Eliza H. Strong, daughter of Solomon Strong. They have a family of three children — Charles S., Foster S., and Martha E. Franklin K. Haven was a son of Rev. K. and Ruth (Harrison) Haven. She was born in New Jersey in 1794, and died in 1865; he was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert Holley

Robert Holley, a native of New London, Conn., came from Hebron, N. Y., in 1795, and located on the east side of the highway, nearly opposite the place now owned by Joel Barlow. In 1808 he removed to the village, where he kept a public house several years. He served the town as constable and collector, represented the town in the General Assembly eight years; was a delegate to the constitutional convention in 1826; was a presidential elector, casting his vote for President Monroe, and was a justice of the peace twenty-eight years. He was the father of eight children, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rufus Hazard

Hazard, Rufus, Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh p. o., was born in Uxbridge, Canada West, in 1808. He has held several of the town offices and has been appointed executor and administrator of several large estates. He was married in 1835 to Sarah A. Allen; she died in 1865, leaving one adopted daughter — Mary Esther Anthony, who married Thomas R. Noonan. Rufus married for his second wife Mrs. Ruth Carry Holmes, who was born in Half Moon, Saratoga county, N. Y. Rufus Hazard was a son of Thomas and Lydia (Rogers) Hazard, who were born and married in Vermont. They died … 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 William Slade

William Slade came from Washington, Conn., to Clarendon, Rutland county, about 1780, and three or four years later removed to Cornwall and made his pitch on the land now owned and occupied by John Towle, where he continued to reside until his death in 1826, at the age of seventy-three years. Being of vigorous and energetic nature and withal a born politician, he took an active part in the management of town affairs, and was sheriff of the county from 1810 to 1811. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and was for a time on board the Jersey prison … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lindley M. Macomber

Macomber, Lindley M., Ferrisburgh, was born at Grand Isle, Vt., in 1836, and settled in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1864, and purchased his nursery and fruit grounds, of twenty-five acres, in 1867, when he embarked in the culture of fruit and ornamental trees, and is now ready to supply any order given. He was married in September, 1864, to Lydia A. Dakin, who was born in 1835, and was a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Van Vliet) Dakin, of Ferrisburgh, Vt. Isaac Dakin was a son of Timothy and Lydia (Aken) Dakin, and was born in 1798. Lindley M. Macomber was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Julius S. Hickok

Hickok, Julius S., Vergennes, was born in New Haven, Vt., in 1841, and settled in Vergennes, Vt., in 1865, where he engaged in the retail drug business until 1872, when he sold out and engaged in coal, and general insurance, a business in which he is now engaged. He was married in 1866 to Mary D. Willard, of Vergennes, Vt. They have had three children — Henry H., Lizzie D., and Nellie W. Mary D. Willard was a daughter of Hosea and Betsey (Benton) Willard. Hosea Willard was born in Woodstock, Vt., in 1806, and settled in Vergennes, Vt., in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles E. Smith

Smith, Charles E., Bristol, was born in the town of Hancock, Vt., on September 30, 1838. He was a son of Norman C. and Sally (Brooks) Smith. Sally Smith was a daughter of John Brooks, who was one of the early settlers in Bristol Flats, Vt. Norman C. was a native of New Haven Mills, and was born there in 1809, on April 19. His father was Captain Simon Smith, once a captain of militia, and a native of Salisbury, Conn. Charles E. Smith acquired his knowledge of photography in Ludlow, Vt., and succeeded to the business of the late … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Gilman Caldwell

Caldwell, Gilman, Bristol, was born in the town of Ware, N. H., on August 26, 1812. He was a son of Isaac J. and Sarah (Richards) Caldwell. His father was one of the prominent men of the town of Ware, N. H., and was a son of James Caldwell, who was a Revolutionary patriot, participating in the battles of Bunker Hill and Bennington, and was a resident of New Boston, N. H. Gilman’s parents settled in Lincoln, Vt., about 1839. He has been engaged in the manufacture of shingles, and also in the lumber business in general. He made the … Read more

Biography of Winter H. Holley

Holley, Winter H. (deceased), Bristol, was born in Bristol, Vt., June 15, 1798, and died June 10, 1877, after a long, useful, and busy life. He was a son of Colonel Robert and Hannah (Hewitt) Holley. His father was one of the early settlers of Bristol, a distinguished Revolutionary soldier, a prominent man both in the town and county, and the first representative from Bristol to the General Assembly of the State. Winter H. was married October 26, 1820, to Mary Seymour, a daughter of William and Susan (Rubilee) Seymour, of New Haven, Vt. She died March 14, 1886, having … Read more

Biography of Almon P. Tupper

TUPPER, ALMON P., was born in Middlebury, Addison county, Vt., April 24, 1825 ; the third in a family of four children, and the only son of Norman and Mary (Horton) Tupper. Darius Tupper, his grandfather, was born in Connecticut, moved from that State and first settled in the town of Chartotte, Chittenden county, Vt., and in the winter of 1704-95 moved to the town of Middlebury, where he built a tavern at the intersection of the present turnpike-road with the “old road,” leading from East Middlebury to Middlebury Village. This tavern was kept by him until his death, in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Asaph Haywood

Asaph Haywood, who settled in Weybridge in 1805, upon the farm now occupied by Joseph Brown, was the grandfather of Benjamin Haywood, who resides in the northeastern part of this town.

Biographical Sketch of Samuel B. Booth

Booth, Samuel B., Vergennes, was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1842. He was married in 1865 to Phebe K. Orviss, who was born in 1842. She was a daughter of Lorenzo and Phebe (Kees) Orvis, who were married in 1841. She died on January 20, 1842, leaving one daughter. Lorenzo then married his second wife, Mary B. Hitt, of Addison, Vt., in 1848. They had three daughters born to them. Samuel B. Booth was a son of Jared B. and Hannah (Adams) Booth. She was born on May 22, 1811, and he was born in Vergennes, Vt., on March 27, … Read more