Addison County VT

Biography of Allen Penfield Beach

BEACH, ALLEN PENFIELD, was born in the town of Ferrisburgh, Vt., on the 27th day of November, 1813. His grandfather, Nehemiah Beach, was one of three Beach brothers living near Bridgeport, Conn., where he died in 1792, aged forty-five years. He left a family of six children, three sons and three daughters. Stephen, the eldest, was the father of the subject of this sketch. Stephen Beach was born near Bridgeport, Conn., in 1777, and upon his father’s death learned the weaver’s trade. Although he completed his apprenticeship, he did not long pursue the business, but gave his attention to farming. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ward Spaulding

Spaulding, Ward, Panton, was born in Panton, Vt., in 1859, in the old Spaulding homestead on Lake street, which property has been in the possession of the Spaulding family since before the time of the Revolutionary War, and which was owned by his grandfather and father before him. Ward Spaulding was a son of Hiram and Olive (Ward) Spaulding. She was born in Waltham, Vt., in 1819, and Hiram was born on the old homestead in 1804. They were married in 1850, and had one son born to them — Ward. Hiram’s first wife, Elizabeth Hawkins, died in 1848, leaving … 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

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 Russel T. Bristol

Bristol, Russel T., Panton, Vergennes p. o., was born in 1822. He was married in 1847 to Martha Jane Thompson, a daughter of James Thompson. She was born 1828. They had a family of seven children born to them — Willard R. (married in 1876 to Mary A. Richards, of Cornwall, Vt.), Edwin S., Ernest J. (married in 1878 to S. Imogene Harris), Carlton D. (married in 1876 to Anna M. Elitharp, of Bridport, Vt.), Alice J. (married in 1881 to Sidney M. Harris), Arthur H., and Wallis H. (married in 1886 to Cornelia L. Sibley). Russel T. Bristol was … Read more

Addison Vermont – Postmasters

The first post-office in the town was established at Chimney Point about 1823, with Amos B. Chubb, postmaster. He held the office about two years, and was succeeded by Byron Murray, and he by Asahel Barnes, sr., who held the Office until he went to Burlington, in 1841, when Dr. Prentiss Cheney had it for a time; then Dr. David C. Goodale, and finally, in the autumn of 1847, it was taken by Asahel Barnes, Jr., who has been continued in the office up to the present time. At the Corners a very early postmaster was Gideon Seeger. The present … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hon. Joel Linsley

Early in 1775 Hon. Joel Linsley, from Woodbury, Conn., made a pitch on a tract which he occupied the remainder of his life. His first log cabin stood sixty or eighty rods east of the building now occupied by Charles Benedict, which he subsequently built. He was a surveyor and became a large land owner. At the organization of the town he was chosen town clerk, and afterwards repeatedly elected, with the exception of two years, until his death in 1818. He represented the town several years in the Legislature; was assistant judge and afterward chief judge of the County … Read more

Bristol Vermont – Secret Societies

Libanus Lodge No. 47, F. and A. M., was chartered January 13, 1859. It now has seventy-nine members, and meets the second Monday evening of each month. Its officers are as follows: H. S. Sumner, W. M.; S. W. Hatch, S. W.; A. A. Dean, secy.; H. B. Williams, treas.; C. W. Huler, S. D.; W. H. Prime, J. D.; E. A. Hasseltine, chaplain; C. W. Norton, G. W. Flinn, E. W. Smith, finance committee; J. R. Kilborn, 0. C. Crandall, stewards; H. P. Sherwin, tiler, and W. W. Needham, marshal. Gifford Chapter No. 23 H. C. Munsill, H. P.; … 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 Isaac Barrows

Isaac Barrows was the first settler upon the farm now owned by F. G. Converse. He came on from Connecticut and boarded for a time with Philip Stone’s family, six miles distant, whither he returned from his work every night. Bears were plentiful in those days, and in these daily journeys he killed several. Rufus Barrows of this town is a descendant.

Biography of Frank Adams

Frank Adams, from Salisbury, one of the original proprietors, was an early settler. His father, Benjamin, came on subsequently, locating upon the farm now owned by his great-grandson, William Adams. Benjamin was commissioned a second lieutenant by President Hancock in 1776, and afterwards took a prominent part in the war.

Biographical Sketch of Francis M. Strong

Strong, Francis M., Vergennes, was born in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vt., in 1829, and settled in Vergennes, Vt., in 1852, as a practical moulder and machinist; in 1856 he invented and manufactured what is now known as the Howe scales, and in 1864 he sold his interest to the Messrs. Howe & Co., and purchased the island mill; in 1868 sold the same to N. G. Norton. He then purchased his foundry and machine shop, and engaged in the manufacture of hubs. He is also engaged with Charles E. Parker in the manufacture of a road machine known as the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Royal W. Peake

Peake, Royal W., Bristol, one of the most venerable citizens of Bristol, Vt., has always during his life been prominently identified with the business interests of this section of Addison county, Vt. He was born in the town of Monkton Vt., on December 17, 1806. He was a son of Seth Peake, who was the youngest son of William and Jane (Oliver) Peake, who were of English descent. William was a seafaring man, and during his earliest residence in America resided on Nantucket Island. Seth Peake was a harness-maker by trade, and was also engaged in the mercantile business. Royal … 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 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 Samuel N. Brooks

Brooks, Samuel N., Middlebury, was born in the town of New Haven, Addison county, Vt., on March 12, 1821. His parents were Daniel and Mary (Noble) Brooks. Daniel Brooks was born in Connecticut, and came to Addison county about 1810 and settled at East Mills, New Haven, where he carried on his business of wheelwright for many years. He was a resident of Middlebury, Vt., for thirty years, where he carried on his business. He had a family of three daughters and three sons; one daughter and three sons are now living. He died in 1849, and his widow died … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Louis B. Fuller

Fuller, Louis B., Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh p. o., was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1823. He is a stock grower and dealer. He has been an extensive farmer and owns 800 acres. He deals largely in hay, having several large store buildings and presses. He has been selectman, a justice of the peace, poor-master, and has held several other town offices. He was married in 1850 to Polly Ann Satterly, of Ferrisburgh, Vt., who was born in January, 1832. They had a family of four children born to them — Elenor (born 1854) ; Gideon (born 1857 and died in … 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

Bridport, Addison County, VT

BRIDPORT lies upon the lake shore, the center one of the county’s western tier of towns. It is bounded on the north by Addison; on the east by Weybridge and Cornwall; south by Shoreham, and west “by the center of the deepest channel of Lake Champlain.” The charter deed which brought the township into existence was signed by Benning Wentworth, the royal governor of New Hampshire under King George III, October 9, 1761, granting to Ebenezer Wiswall and sixty-three others “a tract of land six miles long, from north to south, and seven miles broad from east to west, bounded … Read more

Biography of Zadock Everest

Zadock Everest came to Addison in the summer Of 1765 and began his clearing, as before mentioned. On his place he built a log house and there kept the first public house in the county. After the breaking out of the war he fled his family to Whitehall, and from thence sought refuge in Pawlet, Rutland county, where he was elected representative in March, 1784. During that year he returned to Addison, and represented the town of Panton in 1785 and Addison in 1788, 1789 and 1795; he also held the prominent town offices through a series of years and … Read more