USA > Vermont > Franklin County > Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83 > Part 9
USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > Gazetteer and business directory of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vt., for 1882-83 > Part 9
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Capt. Andrew Rublee, from Massachusetts, canie to Berkshire with three of his brothers, John B., Frank, and Hiram A., about the year 1795. Hiram located on a farm just north of the present village of Berkshire Center, were he continued to reside until his death. Capt. Andrew located on Pike river,
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TOWN OF BERKSHIRE.
temamed there a number of years, and finally removed to Canada, where he died. Frank located in the northern part of the town, and from there emi- grated to one of the Western States, where he died. John B., settled upon a farm just east of West Berkshire, and served the town as an efficient officer until his death. Hiram and Daniel- Rublee, sons of Capt. Andrew, are still living, the former in Enosburgh Falls and the latter in Franklin. David Rublee, father of George, who resides on road 27, was born in this town in 1798, and is now living in Iowa, aged eighty-four years. Numerous descend- ants of these brothers reside in the town and throughout the State.
Robert Noble, from Pownal, Vt., was one of the early settlers of the town, having located upon the farm now owned by his son, William P. He took an active part in town affairs, held most of the town offices, and died here in 1860, aged seventy-six years, leaving a large family of children. William P. was born in 1828, and has always resided on the old homestead.
Josiah Ewins came to Berkshire at an early day, and located in the south- em part of the town. His son, Lewis, who came with him, died in 1871, leaving a widow and two sons, George L. and Philo S., who still reside here.
Nathaniel Jenne, from St. Armand, P. Q., came to this town among the settlers, and located upon the place now occupied by Benjamin F. Stiles, where he still resides, aged seventy-seven years.
Benjamin, John, Samuel, George W., and James Stone, five brothers, from Pierpont, N. H., came to Berkshire about the year 1800. John, the eldest, located in the western portion of the town, while the others established thein- selves along the banks of the Missisquoi river. Benjamin located where Addison Pond lies, and reared a large family of children, who brought honor and respectability to the family. He died in 1850, aged eighty-one years. Mitchell. the only son now living, is nearly eighty-two years of age. He is a second cousin to President Arthur. James R. Stone, of East Berkshire, is the oldest practical harness maker in the county, having carried on the busi- ness here for over forty years. He is an ex-representative of the town.
John Lewis, from New Haven, Conn., came to this town about the year 1800, locating in the central part. He served in the war of 1812, and com- manded a company at the battle of Plattsburgh. He died in 1856.
Josiah Wheeler, from Windsor, Vt., came to Berkshire about the year 1800, and located in the central part of the town, where his grandson, Marshall S., now resides. Lucius H., father of Marshall, and son of Josiah, came here with his father and resided on the old homestead until his death.
Oliver Austin came to this town in 1800, and located upon the farm now owned by his grandson, H. P. Austin, on road 42, where he died in 1813. His son, Raymond, who was eight years of age when Oliver moved here, became a Baptist clergyman, married Abigail Ladd, and died in 1862. His widow is still a resident of the town, aged eighty-three years. Raymond had a family of five children, three of whom are living.
Pennal Leavens, from Windsor, Vt., came to this town about the year 1806,
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TOWN OF BERKSHIRE.
and located in the central part, upon the farm now occupied by O. H. Stowe. He took an active interest in town matters, held most of the offices, and was a member of the first council of censors, in 1822, and again in 1836. He died in 1844.
William Laraby, a Revolutionary soldier, came to Berkshire, from Weth- ersfield, Vt., in 1806, and located in the central part of the town, upon the farm now owned by his son, George W., where he died in 1838. George W. is the youngest and only surviving one of a family of ten children, and is now eighty-two years of age.
Harrison Bowen, father of Albert H. Bowen, was born at Clarendon, Vt., in 1813, while his mother was on a visit to that place, from Berkshire. He always resided upon the farm now occupied by his son, Albert H. Bowen.
Deacon Washington Chaffee, who died here, April 12, 1881, was born in this town, August 12, 1815. He held the office of constable for twenty years, and was also a deacon of the Baptist church for many years.
Theophilus P. Bond, now a resident of the town, at the age of eighty-two years, was born at Hyde Park, Lamoille county, in 1800, came to Berkshire in 1815, and, in 1816, located upon the farm he now occupies. He says he can remember of hearing the roar of the cannonade at the battle of Platts- burgh.
Robert Anderson came to Berkshire about the year 1814, and located in the eastern part of the town, where he reared a family of eight children, and died in 1843. His son, Seth P., fourteen years of age when his father came here, died on the old homestead, in 1878. The place is now occupied by Seth's son, Ira S., one of the present selectinen,
Joel Gaines, from Gifford, Vt., came to this town about the year 1800, locating in the central part. He was a shoemaker by trade, and the first to introduce pegged shoes here. He died in 1880, aged eighty-five years.
Aaron Hoadley, Sr., was born in Hartland, Vt., and came to Berkshire about 1820, locating in the central part of the town, upon the farm now oc- cupied by Harmon Chaffee. He reared a family of thirteen children, four of whom are now living.
Silas Stowe, from Massachusetts, came to this town in February, 1819, and located in the central part, upon the farm now owned by Clark Hull. He died in 1869, aged eighty-eight years. His son, O. H., was born June 30, 1818, and is now one of the leading farmers and dairymen of the town.
Asahel Demning came here in 1822, leased a carding-mill and run it one year. then bought the carding-mill and cloth dressing works and continued the business for a period of thirty-seven years. In 1844, he opened a store at West Berkshire, where he continued to do business most of the time up to 1876, when he retired. He is now eighty-one, and his wife eighty-four, years of age.
Hon. Stephen Royce, who was so long an honored citizen of Berkshire, was born at Tinmouth, Vt., August 17, 1787, and removed with his parents
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TOWN OF BERKSHIRE.
to this town April 25, 1793. During the year 1800, he was placed by his parents in a common school of his native town, where his improvement was so rapid that during the following year he entered upon an academical course at Middlebury, under the tuition of Chester White, subsequently a clergyman of considerable note. Owing to the ill health and financial embarrassments of his father, young Royce was enabled to enter college only by the exercise of the greatest industry and economy. He graduated from Middlebury college with the class of 1807. In 1809, he was admitted to practice as an attorney in the county court, having studied with his uncle, Ebenezer Mar- vin, Jr. In 1817, Mr. Royce removed to St. Albans, where he pursued the practice of his profession with diligence until the autumn of 1825, when he was elected a judge of the supreme court. The town of St. Albans had chosen him as their representative to the legislature in 1822, 1823, and 1824, and also as a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1823. He held the office of judge during 1825 and 1826, and declining a re-election in the autumn of 1827, returned to the practice of his profession until the autumn of 1829, when he again accepted the appointment of judge, which he held by successive elections up to 1852, a period of twenty-three years, the last six of which he was chief justice of the court. In 1852, he closed his judicial labors by declining another election. He was elected Governor of the State for the years 1854 and 1855, and retired to private life in the latter year. Mr. Royce was never married. His death occurred in Berk- shire, November 11, 1868.
Dr. G. S. Goodrich, of West Berkshire, was born at Swanton, Vt., in 1822, and located where he now resides in 1856. The Doctor was educated at the Bakersfield academy, after which he read medicine with Dr. Fasset, of East Berkshire (now of St. Albans), and graduated from the Burlington medical college with the class of 1853. He married Jane Miner, of Richford, by whom he has been blessed with three children, Alice D., Ada L., and Mara- quetta K.
Henry Ladd was born in Enosburgh, where his father was an early settler, in 1818. He came to Berkshire in 1840, locating in the eastern part of the town ; but in 1853, he removed to West Berkshire, where he still resides. He is a large land owner and has held most of the town offices.
William J. Ayer, from St. Armand, P. Q., located in the northern part of this town in 1840, where he is now one of the heavy land owners.
Ethan A. Hull, born at Fairfield, Vt., July 1, 1813, located in this town in 1861. He is an extensive farmer, a railroad commissioner, and has held most of the town offices.
During the war of 1812, Berkshire furnished the following list of soldiers, who were present at the battle of Plattsburgh: Capt. Elias Babcock, Sergt. Scott McKinney, Amos Chadwick, Samuel White, L. Hapgood, and Daniel Foster. Berkshire's tribute towards quelling the late rebellion was 119 en- listed men and two commissioned officers, twenty-two of whom gave up their lives in the cause.
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السادة المتحدون
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TOWN OF ENOSBURGH.
The Calvary Episcopal Church, located at East Berkshire, was organized at a meeting held at the house of Dr. Titus Sampson, in March, 1818, there being six members. Rev. Joel Clapp was the first pastor. The first house of worship was a wood structure, built in 1822, which did service until 1873, when the present stone structure was erected. It will accommodate 200 persons, cost $7,000.00, and is valued at $10,000.00. The society now has forty seven members, with Rev. William Westoner, rector.
The East Berkshire Congregational Church was organized with nine mem- bers, by the Rev. Benjamin Wooster, in 1820. The first pastor was Rev. Phineas Bailey. The first church building was erected in 1822, did service until 1860, and was superseded by the present structure. It will seat 200 persons, cost $2,000.00, and is now valued at $3,000.00. The society has seventy-seven members, with Rev. Elias W. Hatch, pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, located at West Berkshire, was organized in 1845. The society has 200 members with Rev. William Puffer, pastor. The building will seat 200 persons and is valued at $3,000.00.
The Union Church, located at Berkshire Center, was built, and has since been occupied, as a union church, the denominations contributing to its erec- tion and maintenance holding services therein alternately, in proportion to their respective contributions. The Universalists, the Baptists and the Meth- odists are supposed to be the principal, and perhaps the only, owners, though neither has yet had a settled or permanently resident minister connected with the church.
NOSBURGH, located in the eastern-central part of the county, in lat. 44 52 , and long. 4º 15', bounded north by Berkshire, east by Montgom- ery, south by Bakersfield, and west by Sheldon, was granted as a township to contain thirty-six square miles, by Gov. Thomas Chittenden, March 12, 1780, and chartered the 15th of the following May, to Roger Enos, from whom the the town received its name, and fifty-nine associates. The restric- tions and reservations under which the charter was issued were as follows :-
"Each proprietor of the town of Enosburgh, his heirs and assigns shall plant and cultivate five acres of land, and build a house at least eighteen feet square on the floor, or have one family settle on each respective right, or share of land, within the term of four years next after the circumstances of the war will admit of settlement with safety, on penalty of forfeiture of his grant or share of land in said town; the same to revert to the freemen of this State, to be by their representatives regranted to such persons as shall appear to settle and cultivate the same. Secundo: That all pine and oak timber suitable for a navy be reserved for the use and benefit of the freemen of this State."
But as the town was not settled until many years after the date of the charter, the conditions attending its grant were not complied with. Still it does not appear that any of the grantees forfeited their right. On October 31, 1798, a portion of the town of Bakersfield was annexed, so that the town
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TOWN OF ENOSBURGH.
now contains something more than the original six miles square, or 23,040 aciCs.
In surface, Enosburgh is considerably diversified by mountain, hill, and dell, having a very picturesque contour, the eastern portion of the town lying entirely upon a spur of the Green Mountains. The western and central por- tions, however, are more level and unbroken. The soil generally is better adapted to the growth of grass than grain, though the alluvial flats in the basins of the several streams, and in the mountain valleys, is exceedingly rich and productive, yielding a large percentage of the fruits and grains indigenous to this latitude, with comparatively little labor. The country is well watered, and many excellent mill sites are afforded, by numerous streams, the principal ones being the Missisquoi river, flowing a westerly course through the northern part of the town, Trout river flowing across the northeastern corner, and Tyler's branch flowing across nearly the whole southern part of the town from east to west. All of these streams, constituting the principal water- courses, have numerous tributaries, some of which are of considerable size. The timber is that common to most of the highland towns of the State, con- taining large quantities of maple, from which many thousand pounds of sugar is manufactured each year. Geologically, the rocks of the town are com- posed almost entirely of talcose schist, with its several varieties. The south- eastern part contains a small bed of steatite, though no minerals of impor- tance have been found. The Missisquoi railroad crosses the northern part of the town, with stations at North Enosburgh, Enosburgh Falls, and Samp- sonville.
In 1880, Enosburgh had a population of 2,213, was divided into fifteen school districts, and contained seventeen common schools, employing eight male and nineteen female teachers, to whom was paid an aggregate salary of $1,795.00. There were 509 pupils attending common schools, while the entire cost of the schools for the year ending October 31st, was $2,093.80, with Reuben Chaffee, superintendent.
ENOSBURGH FALLS, a post village and station on the Missisquoi railroad, is beautifully situated in the midst of a prosperous agricultural community, in the northwestern part of the town, on the Missisquoi river. The falls at this point, from which the village receives its name, afford the finest water- power in the county. The village contains four churches, (Episcopal, Bap- tist, Methodist, and Roman Catholic,) nine stores, two millinery and three dress-making shops, a high school, one hotel, Kendall's spavin cure manufac- tory, three carriage shops with blacksmith shops, three horse-shoeing shops, one bakery, one tannery, a shoe shop, lumber and shingle-mill, broom-socket manufactory, grist-mill, jobbing shop, where sash, doors and blinds are also made, a saw-mill and box factory, a woolen-mill, a livery, one dentist, and one photograph gallery.
WEST ENOSBURGH, a post village located in the western part of the town on Tyler's branch, contains one church (Methodist), two stores, one black-
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TOWN OF ENOSBURGH.
smith shop, a grist and flouring-mill, printing office, two shoe shops, and seven or eight dwellings.
EAST ENOSBURGH, a hamlet located a little southeast of the central part of the town, on a tributary of Tyler's branch, contains one church (Baptist), a blacksmith shop, district school-house, and several dwellings. By reason of two men by the name of Stone having lived here at an early day, it has locally borne the name of Stoneville since. There were mills erected here at one time, and some manufacturing carried on, though there is none at present.
ENOSBURGH CENTER (Enosburgh p. o.), a hamlet located near the center of the town, contains two churches (Congregational and Episcopal), one store, a blacksmith shop, wheelwright shop, a district school-house, hotel, and about half a dozen dwellings. The hamlet has a beautiful site, on an eminence, surrounded by well cultivated farms, betokening it the neighborhood of a thrifty class of people, rendering it also a desirable place in which to pass the heated months of summer. The hotel is kept by Mr. John Spooner, who has been its landlord for the past thirty years, and in that time gained an ex- perience in hotel keeping, which, with the assistance of his very estimable wife, renders his house a most homelike and welcome retreat.
BORDOVILLE (p. o.), a hamlet located in the southwestern corner of the town, contains one church (Advent), one store, a wagon and blacksmith shop, and several dwellings.
NORTH ENOSBURGH (p. o.), a station on the Missisquoi railroad, is a small hamlet located in the northern part of the town, on the Missisquoi river, about twenty miles from St. Albans.
SAMPSONVILLE, a station on the Missisquoi railroad, is a small hamlet located on the Missisquoi river, containing a few dwellings, blacksmith shop, grist and saw-mill, and one store. It derived its name from a man by the name of Sampson who settled here many years ago. At one time it was the center of quite a lumbering district, mills were erected, and it bid fair to be- come a flourishing village ; but for some reason it degenerated and the bustle of manufacture has dwindled down to one dilapidated old mill.
Manley & Towle's job shop and sash and door manufactory, located at Enos- burgh Falls, was established by Sprague & Manley, in 1872, and operated by them until the spring of 1878, when the present firm took possession. · The firm does a general line of job work, in addition to manufacturing sash, doors, blinds, and builders' furnishings. They employ five men.
Pierce's patent broom-socket manufactory, located at the Falls, was estab- lished in April, 1871, by the North American Broom Co. The works are operated by water-power, employ fifteen hands, and manufacture 6,000 broom-sockets per day.
The Missisquoi flouring and grist-mill, located at Enosburgh Falls, was established by the present owners, Stetson & Gilbert, in 1877. The mill is 40 by 50 feet in size, exclusive of wheel-house, and operates four runs of stones, in addition to one set of machinery for merchant work, employing three men.
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TOWN OF ENOSBURGH.
Gladden & Marsh's saw-mill and box factory, located at the Falls, was built by J. Burt & Sons, in 1868, upon the site of a mill built by John Burt many years ago. It is furnished with a circular saw, and cuts 300,000 feet of lamber and manufactures about 50,000 boxes per year, in addition to a large number of "Simplicity " bee-hives, employing three men.
B. J. Kendall & Co.'s spavin cure laboratory, located at the Falls, was crected in 1880, for the manufacture of this remedy, ranking as one of the largest industries of the county. The building is a commodious wood struct- ure, two and one-half stories in height, with a basement, and is furnished with all modern appliances and improvements for the manufacture of this valuable temedy. One large room is furnished with two printing presses and devoted entirely to preparing advertisements. The business now employs twenty men and is rapidly increasing.
The Lawrence saw and shingle-mill, located at the Falls, was originally established as a saw-mill, with an upright saw. In 1852, it was purchased by Sprague & Reed, who put in a circular saw, and on April 16, 1854, Reed's interest was purchased by John Lawrence, and the business continued under the firm name of Sprague & Lawrence until 1876, when Mr. Lawrence became sole owner and added the shingle-mill. The mill cuts about 500,000 feet of lumber and manufactures 100,000 shingles per year, employing four men.
I.ucia's tannery, located at Enosburgh Falls, was built about sixteen years ago by John Kellogg. In 1871, Antoine Lucia, the present owner, purchased the property. The business is now carried on by Leonard Irish, who does a general line of custom tanning.
C. F. Ovitt & Sons' grist and flouring-mill, located at what was formerly known as Fuller's Falls, on Tyler's branch, was originally built by Judge Austin Fuller, the fourth he had built in this vicinity. It was destroyed by fire in 1877, and rebuilt by the present owners within four months subse- quent to the fire. The mill is furnished with three runs of stones, and grinds 10,000 bushels of custom, and 12,000 bushels of merchant grain, per year.
The Missisquoi Woolen Mills, located at the Falls, were purchased by Milton A. Kent, the present owner, a half interest in 1865, and the remainder in 1870. The mill has a water-power capacity for four sets of mills, operates seven looms, but is capable of running thirty-two, and consumes about one hundred pounds of wool per day, employing twelve hands. It makes a specialty of cassimeres and flannels. Mr. Kent is extensively engaged in the glove and mitten business in Boston, so the mill here is doing but little business in comparison to what it might. It is managed by Harvey Clark, who has held the position since 1873.
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John L. Perley's grist-mill, located at Sampsonville, was built by Norman Davis, upon the site of a mill built many years ago. The mill has one run of stones and does custom work.
Perley's saw-mill, located at Sampsonville, was built by Anson and John 6
i
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TOWN OF ENOSBURGH.
L. Perley, and is now the property of the latter. It is operated by water- power and uses a circular saw.
Gilbert's tannery, located on Tyler's branch, at the junction of roads 33 and 34, was built by John Tolman, from Massachusetts, in 1827, and sold to Dexter Gilbert, in 1837, who in turn transferred it to his son, Lyman, the present owner. It turns out about 1,000 hides and 6,000 skins per year, em- ploying three hands.
Charles L. Rounds's carriage shop, located on road 45, was established by the present owner in 1878. It employs three hands, and does a general line of carriage and wagon work. Mr. Rounds has also a cider-mill attached which makes 400 barrels of cider per year.
L. C, Kendall's carriage shop, located on St. Albans street, turns out a general line of carriages, wagons, and sleighs, manufacturing about fifty of the former and thirty of the latter per year, giving employment to seven hands. Mr. Kendall also deals in lumber, lath, shingles, etc.
Alfred A. Simpkins's saw-mill, located on road 48, corner 52, is furnished with a circular saw and cuts about 350,000 feet of lumber per annum. It has also a sbingle and custom feed-mill attached.
None of the original proprietors ever settled in the town. Their first meeting was held at the residence of Joseph Baker, in Bakersfield, Septem- ber 8, 1795, when, and at subsequent meetings, the following business was transacted :-
" Chose Jedediah Hyde, Stephen House, Samuel D. Sheldon, Levi House, Amos Fassett, Joseph Baker and Martin D. Follett, a committee to allot said township at their discretion, after they have reviewed said township thoroughly. . Adjourned to meet at five o'clock this p. M., at the house of Jonathan Fisk, in Cambridge. Attest, Jedediah Hyde, moderator ; Martin D. Fisk, clerk. Met agreeably to adjournnient. Adjourned till to-morrow at six o'clock, A. M., then to meet at this place. September 9, proprietors met agreeably to adjournment. First,-Voted that said committee lay out ten acres in center of said town of Enosburgh, for a public parade, or as near the center as the land will admit of ; taking into view every other cir- cumstance relating thereto ; which ten acres to be laid in square form. Ad- journed until the 24th of October next, at seven A. M., at the house of Joseph Baker, in Bakersfield. At which time the proprietors first voted to give Stephen House the privilege of pitching 400 acres of land, as the law specifies, for building a saw-mill and grist-mill in said town ; which mills are to be completed at a time to be agreed upon by said proprietors at their next meeting ; said House to give bonds for the performance of the business. Adjourned until the fifth day of May next, at nine o'clock A. M., at this place."
From this time forward the proprietors met from time to time, transacting the usual business of a new settlement, until January 29, 1823, when they ceased, nothing of particular importance ever having been voted by them.
The first family who wintered in the town was that of a Mr. Balch, con- sisting of himself and wife, in the winter of 1796, and '97. They located in the western part of the town, upon what has since been known as Balch hill. Previous to this, from 1795, some who owned land had come on and worked
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