Hope, Louis, Middlebury, was born in Saint Hyacinth, Canada, on February 28, 1828. His parents were Alexander and Margaret (Ash) Hope. He was educated in the common schools of his town, and engaged in farming until reaching the age of seventeen years, when he began to learn the blacksmith trade. He came to Cornwall, Addison county, Vt., in September, 1843, and in 1844 settled in Middlebury, Vt., where he remained for one year, and at the end of that time went to Salisbury, Vt., one year, returning to Middlebury, where he has since resided. He worked as a journeyman for Eli Mathews for about seven years, after which he purchased the business and conducted the blacksmith business at the fair grounds company’s shop for twenty-five years. About seven years ago he removed his shop to the rear of his residence ; was married on May 20, 1848, to Jane Gee, who was a native of Quebec, Canada, and by her had a family seven children, five of whom are living — Louis, jr., born on June 28, 1851 (is now a resident of San Francisco, Cal.); Benjamin B., born on August 12, 1852, now in furniture business at Middlebury; Demos T., born on November 3, 1855, associated in business with his father; Bonus, born on April 29, 1857, now dead; Prusilla, born on November 3, 1859, now deceased — Bonus 2d, born on November 28, 1862 now resides at home with his parents, and William W., born on October 26, 1866. Mr. Hope is a self-made man, having no start whatever in life. He now occupies a handsome residence on Court street, which he hasoccupied for the past twenty-five years.
