Biographical Sketch of H. Kirk Smith

Smith, H. Kirk, of Vergennes, Vt., was born in Ohio. He was a graduate of Marietta College and also a graduate of a college at Munich, Germany, and on his return to America he engaged in the naval service as secretary until the close of the war, after which he became connected with the commissary department, from which he resigned in 1879, retiring from active life at that time, and settling in Vergennes, Vt. Doctor H. Kirk Smith was a son of Rev. Henry Smtih, D. D., and Hannah (Bates) Smith, a daughter, of Prof. Bates, of Middlebury College, Vt. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Carleton T. Stevens

Stevens, Carleton T., Vergennes, was born in Panton, Vt., in 1817. He was judge of the County Court in 1883 and ’84; was director of the Vergennes Bank from 1865 to ’68, and president of the same from 1868. He has also held several corporation offices. He and his brother, Charles O., engaged in the hotel business in 1835, and engaged in the same until they sold their interest in the hotel property (1873), and retired from active public business as farmers, etc. They were sons of Thomas and Sally (Tappan) Stevens. He was born in Canaan, Conn., in 1794, … 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 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 Chase Purinton

Purinton, Chase, Lincoln, was born in Kensington, N. H., on April 27, 1757. He settled in Lincoln, Vt., on the farm which is now owned by his grandson, Elihu Purinton. He was a blacksmith by trade, and the first in the town; built the first grist-mill that was ever built in this town, in 1806, near the site of the present Watson Morgan mills. He was married on September 30, 1778, at Seabrook, N. H., to Lydia Brown, who was born in that town on August 13, 1758. Mr. Purinton died on his homestead, on June 16, 1826, leaving a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David Smith

Smith, David, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes p. o., was born in Leicester, Vt., in 1813. He is a farmer, and one of the directors and vice-president of Vergennes National Bank, also president of Lake Champlain Granite and Marble Company, and at various times has held the most important offices in town, and was elected for the third time as a member to the State Legislature. He was married in 1850 to Sarah Barnum, daughter of Heman and Lydia (Rogers) Barnum, of Ferrisburgh, Vt. They have two daughters — Julia Ella and Josepha Barnum. The latter was married in 1884 to C. A. … 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

Biography of John M. Nash

Nash, John M., Middlebury, was born in Middlebury, Vt., on December 28, 1844. His parents were Asahel M. and Jane (English) Nash. Asahel M. was born in Northfield; was a shoemaker, a trade which he followed in Middlebury after settling there. He had a family of three sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living. His widow is also living. He died on September 9, 1867. J. M. Nash was educated in the common schools; was brought up to farming, which he followed until 1861, when he enlisted on the first call for 75,000 men, three months, in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edwin F. Preston

Preston, Edwin F., New Haven, was born in Burlington, Vt., on March 4, 1857. He is a physician; was reared in Waltham, Vt., and began the study of medicine with Dr. C. W. B. Kidder, of Vergennes, Vt., in 1881; entered the medical department of the Burlington University in the spring of 1882, which he was graduated from in the fall of 1884, and immediately located in New Haven, Vt., where he has since resided. He was married on June 17, 1885, to Cora H. Holley, a daughter of Truman R. and Juliaette (Sanford) Holley, of Cornwall, Vt. He was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Andrew B. Rose

Rose, Andrew B., Waltham, Vergennes p. o., was born in Woodbury, Litchfield county, Conn., on April 21, 1817. He is a farmer, and breeder of the famous Atwood breed of Merino sheep. He settled in Waltham, Vt., in 1845, where he has since resided. He was married in 1846 to Emma Thompson, a daughter of James and Abigail (Eldred) Thompson, of New Haven, Vt., and by her had ten children — Anna E. (Mrs. Edgar Piper); Eva J. (Mrs. George Hallock); Newton J., Willie, Edson, Hattie (Mrs. Frank Dart); Nettie (Mrs. Ed. Adams); Jessie (Mrs. Albert James); Abbie, and Lula. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Josiah Newton Stagg

Stagg, Josiah Newton, Panton, was born in Panton, Vt., in 1833. He was married in 1856 to Harriet L. Grandey, of Panton, Vt. They have had a family of four children born to them — Helen M., Elbert L., Charles G., and Cora Belle. Josiah was a son of Elijah G. and Julia A. (Kingman) Stagg. Elijah was born in 1811, and died in 1880. They were married in January, 1832. They had one son born to them — Josiah. Elijah G. Stagg was a general farmer, and was also a justice of the peace of his town. He was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank T. Nash

Nash, Frank T., New Haven, was born in Racine county, Wis., on February 2, 1851; is one of the prominent farmers of his town, and represented his town in the Legislature in 1884 and 1885. His parents were Fordyce and Eliza A. (Thayer) Nash. His paternal grandparents were William and Mary P. (Wright) Nash, and his paternal great-grandfather was William Nash, who was born in Farmington, Conn., in February 1743, and settled in New Haven, Vt., in 1799, where he died on August 2, 1821. William Nash, jr., was a successful business man and a prominent citizen, and represented his … 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

Biographical Sketch of Henry Rogers

Rogers, Henry, Ferrisburgh, was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1804, and died on September 16, 1876. He was prominent in establishing the post-office at the Center, and was its first postmaster. He was a large dealer in, and shipper of butter and cheese, and an active man in all town affairs. He was married in 1835 to Susan Martin. They had one daughter born to them — Phebe Holmes, born in 1836. Henry Rogers was a son of Joseph and Jemima (Holmes) Rogers. who were natives of Danby, Rutland county, Vt. Susan Martin was born in 1814, and was a … 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 Isaac Lovett

Lovett, Isaac, Middlebury, was born in Pittsfield, Rutland county, Vt., on October 24, 1806. His parents were Joseph and Sally (Jepperson) Lovett. Isaac Lovett was educated in the common schools of Warren, Vt., where his family had removed to in 1816. He was brought up to farming and remained at home until he was of age, when he picked up the trade of shoemaking, a trade which he followed at intervals during his life. In 1830 he purchased the place on which he now resides, and which then consisted of forty-three acres; it now contains over ninety acres. He was … 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 John H. Sherrill

Sherrill, John H., was born at East Hampton, L. I., August 28, 1767; came to Vergennes in 1795; was married to Eunice Case, November 23, 1793. He had a family of four children — Elliott, Fanny, Esther, and Harriet. He established the business of wool-carding and cloth-dressing on the falls in 1805; was a prominent business man of his day; was town representative to the Legislature, and mayor several years; died September 28, 1836. Elliott Sherrill was born at Albany, N. Y., in 1795, and came to Vergennes the same year; was married to Laura Bellamy, December, 1816; had a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward H. Squier

Squier, Edward H., New Haven, was born in the town of New Haven, Addison county, Vt., on March 10, 1832. His parents were Alvin and Sarah (Hallock) Squier. His paternal grandfather was a native of Lanesborough, Mass., and settled in New Haven, Vt., in 1787, where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred in his ninety-second year. His children were Diadama, now Mrs. Elias Bottum; Alicia, Mrs. Whitman Chapman; Andrew, and Alvin. Edward H. Squier is a farmer, and was married in 1856 to Elizabeth Skinner, a daughter of William Skinner, of Ontario county, N. Y. They … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Caleb Morton

Morton, Caleb, Middlebury, was born in Middlebury, Addison county, Vt., on October 7, 1823. His parents were Cyrus and Lois (Morton) Morton. Cyrus Morton was a native of Massachusetts, and came to Addison county, Vt., about 1816, and settled in Middlebury. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, a trade which he followed for many years. He was a successful man, and had a family of three children, one son and two daughters, all of whom are now living. He was a self-made man and died in 1878. Caleb Morton was educated in the common schools and the academy, … Read more