USA > Vermont > Franklin County > Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83 > Part 19
USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83 > Part 19
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Alfred Keith, who was prominently identified with the business interests of Sheldon for many years, came here from Pittsford, Vt. He was noted throughout the country as an iron manufacturer. Mr. Keith died in 1840, aged seventy-two years. He had a family of nine children, of whom only one, Alfred, Jr., is living.
David Foster, from Massachusetts, came to Sheldon in 1790, and located upon the farm now owned by John Draper. Of his family of six children, one only, Wade H., of Sheldon village, is living.
Samuel Hulburt came to Sheldon in 1794, and located in the southeastern part of the town upon the farm at present the property of Colvin Abels. He remained on this place one year, then settled upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Samuel M., on road 43. His son, Chauncey, father of Samuel M., came here with him and remained until his death, in 1864, aged sixty- four years.
Daniel Fish, from Rhode Island, came to this town in 1798, and settled at North Sheldon, where he kept a tavern for twenty-five years, and died in 1843. He made the first clearing in that part of the town, married Sybil Buck and . reared a family of seven children, two of whom, Mrs. Phoebe Draper and Daniel, Jr., are now living. The house now occupied by Daniel, Jr., was was built by his father in 1816.
Timothy S. Olmsted, from Richfield, Conn., came to this town in the year 1800, and located at Sheldon village. His son, Smith, came the same year, married Polly Brown and had a family of three children. Smith settled at the falls which have since borne his name, and built the first saw and grist- mill in this portion of the town. He died in March, 1864.
Benjamin Remington, from Rhode Island, came to this town in 1800, and located on road 16. His son, Jesse, was born here January 19, 1806. Jesse married Patience Griffin, and reared a family of seven children, only one of whom, Warren J., now lives here.
Gideon Draper came to Sheldon, from Duchess county, N. Y., previous to 1800, and located near the central part of the town upon the farm now owned by Horace Draper. Alanson, son of Gideon, was born here in 1800, married Phoebe Fish and reared a family of five children, three of whom, Horace, Wilson, and John F., now reside here.
Joseph Fairbank, from New Hampshire, came to this town in 1800, and located upon the farm now occupied by W. Kittell. In 1804, he married
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Abigail Smith, and as a result of the union reared a family of eight children, two of whom are now living. He died in August, 1852, aged seventy-three years.
Andrew Durkee, from Pomfert, Vt., came to Sheldon in 1802, and located upon the farm now occupied by his grandson, Alonzo, on road 23. He died June 2, 1823. Andrew, Jr., came here with his father when he was but six years of age, and resided upon the old homestead until his death, June 6, 1876. His widow still survives him, aged seventy-eight years.
Isaac J. Potter, from Connecticut, immigrated to this town in 1817, and located upon the farm now owned by his son, John A., on road 15. He was twice married, had a family of four children, and died in 1858, aged sixty-eight years.
John Sheldon came to this town, from Andover, Vt., in 1825, and located on road 5, upon the farm now owned by F. C. Sheldon. He was twice mar- ried and reared a family of eight children. Henry L., son of John, born here in 1835, is still a resident of the town.
James McFeeters, from the northern part of Ireland, came to Highgate in 1827, where he died, February 2, 1869. His son, James, came to Sheldon in 1837, and located on road 8, where he still resides. James married Isabella Riley, and had born to him nine children, five of whom are now living.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Sheldon village, was organ- ized by its first pastor, Rev. Isaac Hill, with seven members, in 1813. Their house of worship was erected in 1859. It will acdommodate 250 persons, cost $2,500 00, and is now valued at $3,000.00. The society has ninety mem- bers, with Rev. Dennis Bicknell, pastor.
Grace Episcopal Church, located at Sheldon village, was organized in 1816, by Rev. Stephen Beach, who also acted as first rector. Their first house of worship was erected in 1825, a wood structure, and gave place to a brick building in 1853, which in turn was replaced by the present brick edifice in 1878. The building is a neat structure, capable of seating 150 persons, cost $5,000.00, though it is now valued, including grounds, at $6,000.00. The church now has seventy communicants, with Rev. A. H. Bailey, rector.
The Congregational Church, located at Sheldon village, was organized in 1816. Just at what date, however, is not known, as there are no records now in existence farther back than 1830. The society has fifty-three members, with Rev. Charles P. Watson, pastor.
T. ALBANS, the shire town of Franklin county, lies in the western part of the same, in lat. 44° 49' and long. 3º 54', bounded north by Swanton, east by Fairfield, south by Georgia, and west by the waters of Lake Champlain. The tract was chartered, to contain an area of 23,040 acres, August 17, 1763, by Benning Wentworth, the royal governor of New Hamp- shire, to Stephen Pomeroy and sixty-three others, in seventy shares, and
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subject to all the restrictions, reservations, etc., incident to these grants. In outline, owing to the indenture of St. Albans bay, the town is extremely irreg- ular, it being nearly nine miles from its eastern to its western limit, while from north to south it is but five miles. Several islands have been annexed to the territory since its charter was granted, the largest being Potter's Island, con- taining an area of 303 acres, annexed October 28, 1842, and Wood's Island, with an area of 115 acres, annexed October 27, 1845. Aside from these, both of which are inhabited, are Ball's Island, lying south of Potter's Island, Popasquash Island, lying off the northern limit of the town, and two small ones in the bay, called respectively Rock and Ram Islands.
No town in the State, probably, has so pleasing a surface contour, and at the same time commands as fine scenic prospects as St. Albans. Along the eastern border of the town there extends a range of hills, their southern terminus and highest point being an elevation called Bellevue, very happily named from the grand prospect it commands. Another hill near by, called Prospect, and Aldis Hill just north of the village, constitute the principal elevations, while the other portions of the town consist of high and verdant plateaus and broad, level meadow-lands. The lake shore is pleasingly in- dented by Lapan and St. Albans bays, the latter being the port-entry of the town. It is about two and one-half miles in length by from a half mile to a mile in width, and was originally given by the Indians the euphonious title of Bellamaqueam. Separating this bay from the main channel of the lake is St. Albans point, a neck of land about two and one-half miles in length by a half mile to two miles in width. From the summit of Bellevue a prospect of exquisitely blended scenery is presented, which only the hand of a skillful painter can fitly portray, embracing the beautiful and highly cultivated Cham- plain valley, with it numerous villages, bounded on the east by the blue, ser- rated peaks of the Green Mountains, grand in themselves, and grander still in historical lore, the view limited in the hazy west by the brown Adirondacks, between which and the beholder lie the silvery waters of Lake Champlain with its numerous verdant isles, while away to the north, where the British lion yet rests his paw, the mountains lying in the rear of Montreal and other points in Canada are in full view. The soil is principally a rich loam, well adapted to the growth of the several cereal crops indiginous to the latitude, and also producing abundant crops of grass. There is little waste land in the whole township, the hills being arable nearly to their summits, and thus affording sustenance to large herds and flocks, for which the town is noted. Though there are nostreams of importance, the territory is well watered, the principal one being Tuller's brook, flowing into the head of St. Albans bay. The original forest trees were mostly maple, beech, birch, elm, ash and hemlock, with maple preponderating. Little, however, of the timber is now standing. Geologically, the formation of the town varies considerably, the several varieties or rocks, however, retaining the usual parallel ranges or veins com- mon throughout the county. Near the lake shore, including the whole of
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that portion of the territory lying west of a line extending north from the bead of St. Albans bay, is an immense bed of Hudson river slates, next to which is a narrow range of Hudson river limestone; next to this, extending to the western limit of the village, the rocks are of the Georgia slate forma- tion, while the residue of the township overlies beds of quartz rock and tolcose conglomerate. These several general divisions are composed of the usual great variety of formations entering into their composition, while some varieties are peculiar to this town. Among the latter are the celebrated St. Albans calico stone, a fine building material, variegated marble, and several grades of limestone suitable for lime manufacture and building purposes. No minerals of importance have been discovered.
In 1880, St. Albans had a population of 7,195, was divided into thirteen school districts, and contained twenty-one common schools, employing three male and thirty-two female teachers, to whom was paid an aggregate salary of $7,253.00. There were 1,626 pupils attending common school, while the entire cost of the schools for the year, ending October 31st., was $8,406.45, with S. W. Landon, superintendent.
ST. ALBANS, a post village and capital of the county, was incorporated by the legislature, November 18, 1859. It has an area of about two square miles, admirably located on a high and fertile plateau, 375 feet above, and three miles back from the lake shore, in nearly the center of the southern part of the town, on Steven's brook. A more healthful and pleasant loca- tion could scarcely be imagined, while the thrift, energy, economy and good taste of its seven thousand citizens, renders it one of the most prominent villages in the State. The highest point is reached in the eastern part, at the residence of Hon J. G. Smith, 215 feet above the court-house, and 590 feet above the level of the lake, from which a most charming view may be obtained. Sloping gently towards the lake the village lies at one's feet, remarkable for its neat, commodious, and in some instances elegant residences, beautiful gardens, fine rows of business blocks, several large manufactories, mammoth railroad buildings, fine churches and public structures, and near the center of all a large public park, having an area of fifty by twenty rods. The park was formly known as the "Square " or "Common," but on June 1I, 1870, it was named Taylor Park by the trustees of the village, in honor of Holloway Taylor, Esq., one of the early settlers of the town, who, on Sep- tember 26, 1799, deeded the land that it contains to the town for the pur- pose for which it has since been used. In front of the park, having a width of six rods, is the principal street of the village, and upon which, and cross- streets adjacent to the park, are situated the principal business houses. North of the park it is called north Main street, and south of it South Main street. Parallel with Main street are several other broad, well-kept streets, which are crossed at right angles by numerous others, giving the village an exceedingly neat and uniform appearance. Gazing on beyond the village, one's eye takes in a broad, level tract of land reaching to the lake shore, where that beautiful
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picture begins, which, coupled with its historic associations, has made the name "Champlain " world-renowned. The most picturesque part of the lake is at this point, it being completely dotted over with verdant islands, and appearing from a distance to blend into alternate brakes of silver and emerald, beyond which the Adirondacks limit one's vision, forming in their grandeur a fitting object upon which to cast the last lingering gaze after so charming a vision. To the north, east and south, as one turns, is to behold but types of the same loveliness, until the admirer of the beautiful finds his senses ravished with the scene, and can only say with Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, in his first chapter of "Norwood," it is "a place in the midst of greater variety of scenic beauty than any other that I remember in America."
Not alone is St. Albans noted for its scenic beauty, however, for it is one of the largest railroad centers of the State, and contains the largest depot in New England, while its butter market shows the heaviest transactions of any in the country. Of its manufacturing interests, the following are the principal :-
St. Albans Foundry, located on Lake street, corner of Foundry street, was established in 1840, and the present works rank among the best establish- ments of the kind in the country. The works do a general business in machinery and foundry work, repairs and jobbing, in addition to which they manufacture many specialties, the chief of which is Olds' patent horse-powers, threshing machines, etc. Circular and drag saw-mills, agricultural implements of all kinds, stoves, light and heavy forgings, car-wheels, railroad castings, and hundreds of other articles which we have not space to mention, are also con- structed, while the works furnish plans, specifications and estimates for every class of work, on application. About five years ago the establishment began . the manufacture of Olds' patent horse-powers and threshing machines, not expecting a very extensive business in that direction, but the excellence of the apparatus at once created a healthy demand, until now it has the pre- cedence over other manufactures at the works. Its sale is constantly increas- ing, and the machines are now shipped to all parts of the country. The foundry is located directly opposite the depot, and forms a group of half a dozen buildings, the grounds surrounding and upon which they stand amount- ing to between three and four acres. About seventy-five operatives are employed, and the number is increasing. The principal castings for the Cen- tral Vermont railroad are manufactured here, and the daily consumption of iron averages about seven tons. The proprietor of the works is Mr. W. C. Smith, while Mr. N. C. Hyde is general agent, and Amos W. Clark, superin- tendent.
The St. Albans Iron and Steel Works, engaged in the manufacture of car- rails, located on the south side of Welden street, were incorporated by a special act of the legislature in the autumn of 1873, the following named gentlemen forming the list of officers : Philo Remington, of Ilion, N. Y., president ; Edward A. Smith, vice-president ; John W. Newton, treasurer ; and George G. Smith, secretary. During that winter the company erected
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the necessary buildings, and commenced active operations the following spring, though it was not until 1878, that the manufacture of steel was begun, nothing but iron having been used previous to that time. It was the original intention of the firm to supply but the moderate demands of local roads, but the busi- ness gradually extended, until now nearly one-half of their goods are shipped to western markets. The firm has a capital of $350,000.00, employs 175 men, and manufactures 20,000 tons of rails per annum, about three quarters of the steel used being imported from England and Scotland, and the bal-
F. F. Twitchell & Co.
CHARLES WYMAN
DRY GOODSYS
BRAINERD BLOCK, CORNER OF MAIN AND BANK STREETS .- Built by Hon. Lawrence Brainerd in 1841.)
ance manufactured by themselves, with the open-hearth furnace-Seimens process. The present officers are: A. O. Brainerd, president ; Edward A. Smith, vice-president and manager ; and Herbert Brainerd, secretary and treasurer.
The National Car Company, with their office located at the depot in this village, own about four thousand railroad cars which they rent to different roads. The company was chartered by an act of the legislature, approved November 18, 1868, the capital to be $500,000.00, in shares of $100.00 each. This act, however, was amended November 21, 1870, so that the capital stock was unlimited, and it was immediately increased to $2,000,000.00,
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and again by a vote of February 16, 1882, this amount was increased to $3,000,000.00, a large proportion being owned by non-residents. Up to this time the company have owned no shops, and consequently have been obliged to pay out large sums for repairs ; but it is now contemplated by them to build large shops at this point, to cost- not less than $50,000.00. Should this be done, as it doubtless will, it will add greatly to the manufacturing interests of the village. ' The present officers of the company are, Lansing Millis, of Boston, Mass., president ; John B. Fletcher, superintendent ; and F. Stewart Stranahan, secretary and treasurer.
Joseph H. Crosby's grist-mill, located on Market street, was established in 1879, with a small, twenty-inch Harrison mill, operated by a ten horse- power engine. It now requires a thirty-five horse-power engine and operates three runs of stones, and has ground fifty-four car-loads of 'grain during the past twelve months.
R. Mc Dougall's carriage and sleigh factory, located on Kingman street, was established in 1870. Mr. McDougall now employs three men and manufactures all kinds of wagons, carriages and sleighs.
The St. Albans soap works, located on road 22, about a quarter of a mile outside of the corporation limits, were established by the present pro- prietor, Mr. F. C. Prentiss, in 1880. He manufactures all kinds of soap, turning out about 2,000 pounds per month.
The Glens Falls Shirt Company .- This factory was removed to St. Albans, from Glens Falls, N. Y., February 15, 1881, a few weeks subsequent to a destructive fire which ruined nearly all of the machinery in use at the factory in Glens Falls. It was not, however, until July that the factory began operations, and soon had a number of persons employed. The factory is located at 90, 92, 94 and 96 Main street, the building being the old Tremont House, an imposing structure 120x80 feet, five stories in height. The first, or basement floor, is devoted to a wash-room for laundry and supply purposes ; the second contains offices, shipping rooms and an ironing room ; the third, finishing room, store room for unlaundried shirts, dampening, starch and dry ' rooms for laundry and and ironing`machines; the fourth, stitching room ; the fifth, cutting room and storage of patterns and stock. An engine room is added to the building, steam being generated in a forty horse-power boiler, supplying an engine of twenty-five horse capacity. The capitalists of the concern are O. A. Burton, of Burlington, and Edward A. Sowles, of St. Al- bans, while Mr. James MacDonald is manager of the business.
Frederick Dutcher's fly-paper manufactory, located on Pearl, corner of Water streets, was established by L. L. Dutcher & Son in 1850. Mr. Dutcher now employs twelve hands and manufactures 2,000 reams of fly- paper per annum.
The Naramore Power Company, W. T. Smith, secretary and treasurer, and T. C. Naramore, superintendent, was lately organized for the purpose of man- ufacturing a power for raising buildings, pressing hay, cotton, cider, hops etc.,
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and for lifting stones, pulling stumps, etc. The works are located in con- nection with the St. Albans Foundry.
The International Hay and Cotton Press Company was incorporated with a capital of $300,000.00, at the legislative session of 1882. The officers are Guy C. Noble, president ; D. D. Ranlett, vice-president ; William H. Dubois, treasurer ; E. J. Chamberlain, secretary ; and G. W. Batchelder, of Boston, general superintendent. The office is on Railroad Square.
This completes the list of the principal manufactories. St. Albans should and must be a large manufacturing village, situated as it is with the navagable waters of the lake only three miles distant, and with the railroads branching from it in all directions, until it resembles a huge spider. There probably is no place in the State where manufacturing interests could be more advan- tageously conducted than here, and mechanics and capitalists are gradually awakening to a knowledge of this fact.
BANKS.
The first bank in the town was a branch of the old State Bank, about 1807, and was located in the wooden building now standing on the southeast corner of Main and Congress streets. In 1826, a bank was incorporated by the leg- islature as " The President, Directors and Company of the Bank of St. Albans," with a capital of $50,000.00. This institution first did business in a building occupying the present site of Clark & Hatch's store, and afterwards erected a banking house where the Welden House now stands. The charter was re- newed once, and finally expired about 1856.
The Franklin County Bank was next organized, chartered in 1849, with a capital of $100,000.00, and commenced business in the spring of 1850, at St. Albans Bay. In 1853, the bank erected the building at the village now occupied by the First National Bank. O. A. Burton was the first president, and Edward W. Parker, cashier. The bank suffered from the raid of 1864, losing about $75,000.00, mostly their own bills. Immediately after the raid, the bank went into liquidation, paying all honest debts, but refusing to redeem its bills where a satisfactory account of proper possession could not be proven.
The St. Albans Bank, chartered in 1853, was organized in 1854, with a capital of $150,000.00. It began business in the Brainerd Block, and a year or so later moved into the building formerly occupied by the Bank of St. Albans. Hiram B. Sowles was elected president, and Henry Sowles, cashier. This bank was also raided in 1864, and lost heavily, but continued business up to 1866.
The First National Bank of St. Albans was chartered February 8, 1864, and commenced operations the following May, with a capital of $100,000.00 and the privilege of increasing the same to $500,000.00. The first officers . were Hiram Bellows, president; and Albert Sowles, cashier. The present officers are Edward A. Sowles, president ; Albert Sowles, cashier ; and Charles
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A Weeks, teller. During the Canadian raid of 1864, the bank lost $60 .- 000.00, though the Canadian government refunded $28,000.00, "and the United States about the same amount.
The Vermont National Bank of St. Albans was chartered in October, 1865, and began business June 1, 1866, with a capital of $200,000.00. The first officers were Douglass E. Smith, president, and Bradley Barlow, cashier. The present officers are Bradley Barlow, president, and Cyrus N. Bishop, cashier.
The St. Albans Trust Company was chartered November 18, 1868, and com- menced business in August of the following year, with a capital of $100,- 000.00. The institution has done a safe and successful business from the first, and now has 2,500 depositors, with a total deposit of $500,000.00. At its organization, Giles Merrill was chosen president, and Martin A. Seymour, treasurer. The present officers are Lawrence Brainerd, president, and He- ber E. Burgess, treasurer.
HOTELS.
The American House, occupying a central position on the west side of the park, is the oldest of the present hotels in the village. It is a large, four- story brick structure, capable of accommodating 150 guests. The house is well appointed throughout, furnishes excellent board, and has long been a favorite hotel with the traveling public, a reputation that the present propri- etor, Mr. S. I. Stroud, endeavors to maintain.
The St. Albans House, located on Lake street, nearer the depot, is not so large as the others, but well-kept, and has an abundance of patronage. The building is of brick, three and one-half stories in height, well furnished, and modern in all its appointments. The proprietor, Mr. J. D. Shedd, came into possession in January, 1881, and immediately caused the hotel to show the effects of his long experience and adaptability to the business. Under his management it is daily becoming more popular.
The Welden House, located at the head of the park, is one of the largest and best appointed hotels in New England. It is a five-story brick structure, with a Mansard roof, and contains 200 high, well-ventilated, and luxuriously furnished rooms, many of which are arranged in suits of three or four for the accommodation of families. The dining-room is situated on the second floor, a spacious and convenient apartment. There are several large parlors, elegantly furnished with black walnut furniture and body Brussels carpeting, a counterpart of the furnishing throughout the house, while the cuisine is all that the most fastidious could desire. Mr. Thomas Lavender, the gentle- manly proprietor, by his courtesy and kindness to guests, has made himself extremely popular with the traveling public. As a summer resort, the house is widely known and is increasing in favor each year, for here one can enjoy all the luxury of the cool, country air, and sacrifice none of the comforts of city life. Banks, the postoffice, and business houses of all kinds, are close at hand, churches within easy distance, while charming drives and rambles
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