Biographical Sketch of Heman Story

Heman Story was born in this town, near Moscow. His father died when he was a year and a half old, and his mother died when he was five years of age. In 1861, he located on road 17, corner of 18, where he still resides.

Biographical Sketch of Alvin P. Holmes

Alvin P. Holmes, son of Rev. Samuel Holmes, a revolutionary soldier and an early settler in Cambridge, came to this town in 1846, where he still resides, at the village.

Biographical Sketch of John Poor

John Poor, born in Montpelier, came to Stowe about thirty-five years ago, and resided here until his death, in 1868, aged sixty years. Sylvander C., born in Morristown, came to Stowe with his father, and now resides on road 42.

Biographical Sketch of B. O. Shaw

B. O. Shaw, a son of Benoni Shaw, an early settler in Morristown, came to Stowe in 1853, and located where he still resides, on road 22.

Biographical Sketch of Timothy Brown

Timothy Brown and wife, Meredeth Ward, were the first settlers in the town, coming from Westmoreland, N. H., in the year 1797. He bought 450 acres of land on West hill, embracing the Stephen Leach farm and adjoining lands. Here he lived until 1829, when he removed to Ohio, where he passed the remainder of a long life. Four children survived him, Timothy, Bartlett, Rhoda, the wife of Thomas Potter, and Asenath, the wife of Stephen Leach, all of whom attained a ripe old age. The first two died in Ohio, the last two, in Waterville. The year before Mr. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Zephaniah Leach

The Leache are the descendants of a McLeach family, of Scotland. Three brothers McLeach came to this country. from the Highlands of Scotland about 250 years ago, and settled at Cold Run, Mass. They afterwards removed to Westmoreland, N. H., where, nearly 125 years since, the name was changed, on petition to Parliament, from McLeach to Leach. One of these brothers, Josiah McLeach, whose wife was Sarah Brittain, of Wales, was the grandfather of Zephaniah Leach, the early settler of Waterville.

Biographical Sketch of Osgood McFarland

Osgood McFarland, a son of Major Moses McFarland, of the revolutionary war, a Scotch-Irish immigrant, together with his wife, Mary Bartlett, came to town from Haverhill, Mass., in 1809. A few years afterwards he removed to Marietta, Ohio. He remained there seven years, when, on account of his health, he returned to Vermont, driving his own team the whole distance, as he had done on the outward journey. On his second coming to Waterville he located upon the farm on East hill, known as the “Tobin place,” whence he removed, after a few years, to West hill, and tilled the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Luke Guyer

Luke Guyer, one of the three original settlers, came to Wolcott about 1790, from Hartford, Conn., and located on what is now known as the Guyer farm. He was a blacksmith by trade, and built the first blacksmith shop in the town. John, son of Luke, came here with his father, and was a resident of the town until his death. John reared a family of four children, none of whom are now living. Hezekiah, son of John, died on the old homestead, in 1895, aged eighty-one years. His widow still survives him, age seventy-nine years. Earl Guyer, son of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Abiathar Wetherell

The second family that located in the town was that of Abiathar Wetherell, who came from Westmoreland, N. H., in 1798. In 1803, there came from the same place Zephaniah Leach and his four sons, Stephen, Nathan, William, and Jacob. He first settled on East hill, above where Nathan Page now lives , but afterward removing to the village, in connection with his son Nathan he built the first saw and grist-mill in town.

Biographical Sketch of John Stevens

John Stevens, from Newbury, N. H., immigrated to Hyde Park in 1827, and died in Johnson about 1858, aged seventy-five years. Mehitable, his wife, died in Johnson in 1878, aged ninety-five years. Horace, son of John, came to this town in 1857, where he still resides, as a carriage maker.

Biography of Prof. Horace Lyman

PROF. HORACE LYMAN, – Few among those who came as missionaries to our state have held a more honored position, or have accomplished more genuine good, than professor Lyman. He was a new Englander of an old family, whose first American members crossed the ocean from England to Connecticut as early as 1639.His parents were plain farmer folks living at East Hampton, Massachusetts and in that town he was born in 1815. Of his five brothers, two went to college and prepared for the ministry. As a boy and young man, he was ever thoughtful and extra-ordinarily energetic, with a … Read more

Biography of Trueman Powers

TRUEMAN POWERS. – Among all the pioneers, few have left a richer legacy of quiet manhood than Trueman Powers. A gentleman of the past generation, of dignified and considerate manners, of deep conscientiousness, and prevailing force of mind and will, he occupies a distinctive place in the memory of all who knew him, and in the history of Oregon. He was born in Vermont in 1803. He received in that state the education then in vogue, which gave much prominence to music in its curriculum. The proficiency thus gained in singing was to Mr. Powers, a lifelong delight, and an … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isaac Tillotson

Isaac Tillotson, from Massachusetts, came to Belvidere at an early date, remaining until his death, in 1857, aged ninety-eight years. Isaac was a revolutionary soldier, and reared a family of eight children. His son, Eben, was born in 1783, reared a family of nine children, and died in 1848. Chauncey, youngest son of Eben, born in 1834, has been a resident of this town since 1862. Richard, the third son of Isaac, was born in 1798. His family consisted of six children, of whom the second, Orrin, has always been a resident of Waterville. He has held many of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Thomas

William Thomas, from the southern part of the State, came to the eastern part of this town about the year 1800. He was a Baptist clergyman, and held services in houses, barns, etc. Amos, a grandson of William, born in July, 1800, still manages a farm in Belvidere. George B., the oldest son of Amos, born in 1824, now resides on road 5.

Biographical Sketch of Jonathan Hemenway

Jonathan Hemenway, from Walpole, N. H., came to this town in 1800, and located on road 5, upon the farm now owned by O. A. Thomas. Two of his children are now living on the same road.

Biographical Sketch of Joel Brown

Joel Brown came from New Hampshire about the year ,808, and located in Underhill, where he remained about fourteen years, then removed to Cambridge, where he died in 1858. Samuel H., the second of his eight children, born in 1815, has been a resident of Waterville since 1854.