Addison County VT

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 Joseph L. St. Peters

St. Peters, Joseph L., Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh p. o., a general merchant of North Ferrisburgh, Vt., was born at Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vt., in 1850. He embarked in the general merchant trade in 1877, as a successor of Judge Cyrus W. Wicker. He became a clerk for Judge Wicker in 1869, at the time he settled in Ferrisburgh, Vt., and by close application to business, and the assistance of Judge Wicker, he has made his business life a success. He was married in 1885 to Mrs. Sarah A. Lyman Newal, who was a widow of A. P. Newal. Joseph L. … Read more

Biography of Simon Zelotes Walker

Simon Zelotes Walker

WALKER, SIMON ZELOTES, was born in Shoreham, Addison county, Vt., November 3. 1796, and was the eldest son of Russell and Anna (Chellis) Walker. Anna Chellis was a daughter of one of the Revolutionary soldiers, who served honorably as a quartermaster from the Battle of Bunker Hill until the end of the struggle. The ancestor of the subject of this sketch has been noticed properly in the preceding sketch of Russell Walker. Simon Zelotes Walker received his education in the common schools of Bridport and Schroon, which was amplified by extended reading and study in later years. While still a … Read more

Biography of Henry G. Sumner

Sumner, Henry G., Bristol, grandfather of Hiram S. Sumner, of Bristol Flats, Vt. Henry G. married Sally Hall, and to them were born a large family, of whom Thomas, the father of Hiram S., was the eldest. He married Dorcas M. Fuller, of Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where they resided until 1841, when they settled in Middlebury, Vt., where they engaged in farming. They had a family of four children born to them — Charlotte, Mrs. Elia Austin, of Bristol, Vt.; Mary E., now Mrs. Harrison Gove, of Bristol, Vt. After the death of his first wife he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Norman J. Towsley

Towsley, Dr. Norman J., Panton, was born in Rupert, Vt., in 1815. He read medicine in Pawlet,Vt., and graduated from the Castleton Medical College, Vt., in 1843, after which he settled in Lincoln,Vt., in 1845, where he remained until 1846, when he settled in Panton, Vt., and now enjoys a large practice as a physician and surgeon. He was postmaster for fifteen years; town superintendent of schools for many years, and represented his town in the Assembly in 1880 and 1881. He was married in 1844 to Betsey Bromley, of Pawlet, Vt., a daughter of Lovine Bromley. They have had … Read more

Biography of William Allis

William Allis, from Massachusetts, came to Addison in 1785, locating upon the farm now Owned by Edgar, son of the late Nathaniel Allis, who was his last surviving child. The present house was built by Nathaniel in 1831, succeeding the old log house.

Biographical Sketch of Elisha Ferguson

Ferguson, Elijah and Elisha, Bristol, were among the early settlers of the town of Starksboro, Vt. They came from Nine Partners, New York, with their father, John Ferguson, who bought a large tract of land in that town. Elijah Ferguson was born on April 17, 1775, and was married on August 10, 1797, to Mary Haight, who was born on November 6, 1780. They had a family of ten children born to them, of whom Albert was the fourth child, and was born on October 23, 1803. He was married on December 22, 1825, to Clarissa Bostwick; she was a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Calice Bessette

Bessette, Calice, Orwell, a manufacturer of carriages and wagons, has been established in Orwell, Vt., since 1860. He is a native of St. Mary’s Province, Quebec, Canada, where he was born on April 10, 1836. He is the fourth generation from France. His father, Albert J. Bessette, came from Canada with his family and settled in Burlington, Vt., in 1847. Calice Bessette went to Lowell, Mass., in 1856, where he spent one year, after which he went to Shoreham, Vt., where he remained three years, where he learned his trade, that of blacksmithing and carriage-making at the shop of Antoine … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles Woodworth

Woodworth, Charles, Middlebury, was born in the town of Weybridge, Addison county, Vt., on February 16, 1815. His parents were Guy and Abigail (Ingersoll) Woodworth. Guy W oodworth was a native of Connecticut, and was born in 1776; came to Addison county Vt., in 1800, purchased the place now the home of his son Charles. He was married in 1804, and in the same year removed to Weybridge, Vt., where he engaged in the manufacture of scythes. He was quite extensively engaged in this industry, and employed a number of men, continuing in this business during the remainder of his … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Louis C. Cotey

Cotey, Louis C., Vergennes, was born in Lower Canada in 1851. He settled in Vergennes, Vt., in 1867; worked at his trade, and in 1884 he engaged in the manufacture of sash, blinds, and general job house-building supplies, and also building by contract. They are now doing business under the firm name of Alden & Cotey. He was married in 1877 to Florence Adams, of St. Charles, Province of Quebec, Canada. They have had two children born to them — Willie and Lorena. Louis C. Cotey was a son of Joseph and Matilda (Hart) Cotey, who were natives of Canada, … 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 Cyrus Washburn Wicker

Cyrus W. Wicker

WICKER, CYRUS WASHBURN, son of Lemuel and Sally (Haskell) Wicker, was born in Hardwick, Mass., on the 12th day of August, 1814, and was brought by his parents to Orwell, Vt, when he was two years of age. His grandfather, William Wicker, came with them and with them settled on the shore of Lake Champlain, just south of Mount Independence, farming in early life, until partially disabled by an injury to his hip, after which he pursued the calling of a shoemaker. His extraction was a mixture of English and Scotch. He died April, 1813, aged eighty-four years – having … 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 William F. Frisbie

Frisbie, William F., Waltham, was born in Westport, N. Y., on November 27, 1838. He was married on November 20, 1868, to Anna E. Field, a daughter of Henry and Polly A. (Westcott) Field, of Ferrisburgh, Vt., and by whom he had two children — Egbert E. and Walter E. He settled in Waltham, Vt., in 1870, on the farm he now occupies, containing 200 acres. He is a leading farmer and takes an active part in all public affairs of the town, having held several of the town offices. His wife is a descendant of the pioneers of Ferrisburgh, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George L. Porter

Porter, George L., Middlebury, was born in Middlebury, Vt., on January 28, 1837. His parents were Cyrus and Mary O. (Wilcox) Porter. Cyrus Porter was born in Farmington, Conn., on February 21, 1795. He was married in Connecticut. His first wife was Susan Trowbridge, by whom he had three children. She died in 1833. He had eight children by his second wife. He came to Addison county, Vt., in 1829, and settled on the site of his son’s present home. The house which the deacon occupied was a fine one, and was built in 1803, by a Mr. Andrus. Cyrus … Read more

Biographical Sketch of General Ezekiel Dunton

General Ezekiel Dunton, from Dorset, settled upon the farm now owned by Ezra Knowles, of New Haven. He held a commission as brigadier-general in the Vermont militia, and was at the battle of Plattsburgh. He served the town for many years as selectman, constable, representative and justice of the peace, and died here February 13, 1824, aged fifty-six years. He left two sons, Thaddeus, who went West, and Ezekiel K., who died September 20, 1837, aged thirty-four years. The latter was the father of Walter C. Dunton, ex-judge of the Supreme Court of Rutland, and William H. Dunton, also of … Read more

Addison Vermont – Military

The part taken by the early inhabitants of this town in the wars of the Revolution and 1812 has been described in preceding pages; but it may be added that the descendants of Addison’s pioneers fully sustained the records of their ancestors for bravery and patriotism, when the country was threatened with internal war. Men and money were freely supplied for the preservation of the Union, and many fell in defense of their country. The following list gives the names of those who enlisted in the town in Vermont organizations, as compiled by the adjutant-general Volunteers for three years credited … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Medad L. Partch

Partch, Medad L., Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh p. o., was born at Hyde Park, Vt., in 1851, and is by profession a practical miller. He formed the present firm of Partch & Co. in 1885, and is now engaged in a general custom milling business, dealing in the fine brands of western flour. They have extensive mills of four run stone power, and are fed by the Lewis Creek. He was married in 1880 to Weltha Prime. They have had one child born to them -Nellie L. Medad L. was a son of Lyman C. and Louisa (Martin) Partch. They had … Read more

Bristol Vermont – Ecclesiastical

The Bristol Baptist Church was organized by Elder Joseph Call, in 1794, with nine members. Rev. Thomas Tuttle was the first settled minister. The church building, erected in 1794, will seat two hundred and fifty persons, and is valued at $4,900, including grounds. The society now has one hundred and two members, with Rev. P. B. Strong, pastor, who was installed August 1, 1885. The present officers of the society are Daniel W. Durfee, Octavius Cushman and William Miller, prudential committee; J. J. Dumas and A. J. Averill, deacons; and Wallace Rider, treasurer. The Congregational Church was organized July 8, … Read more