Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, Vt. 1764-1887, Part 38

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Co., Printers and Binders
Number of Pages: 886

USA > Vermont > Essex County > Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, Vt. 1764-1887 > Part 38
USA > Vermont > Caledonia County > Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, Vt. 1764-1887 > Part 38

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

3II

TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY.

ton, men of influence and position in the state, were also non-resident proprie- tors to the amount of four rights. The principal proprietor was Samuel Stevens, who held eighteen rights, or about 5,400 acres. Being a non-resident, however, he subsequently transferred most of his lands to Doctor Arnold and others who were ready to settle. Arnold, at the date of the charter, held 3,900 acres, thirteen rights, or a tenth in amount of the old township of Dun- more. Of the other grantees, the last eight in the list obtained the rights of proprietorship by virtue of settlement previous to the chartering of the town, and held respectively one 210th part, or about 100 acres. Each of the seventy-one equally divided rights included 310 acres, one rood, twenty-two poles, the whole area being estimated at 21, 167 acres.

Besides the rights appropriated to the several grantees, one 7 Ist part was reserved for the use of a seminary or college, and the same for the use of county grammer schools in the state. Also "lands to the amount of one 7Ist part for the purpose of settlement of a minister or ministers of the gospel in the said township, and the same amount for the support of an English school or schools in the said township." The first two mentioned reservations were to be under the control of the state assembly, the latter to be located "justly and equit- ably or quantity for quality " in such parts of the township as would least in- commode the settlement thereof. At the first proprietors' meeting was deter- mined that the college and grammer schools reservations should include two full rights in the extreme northeastern corner of the town-the others were variously located, in no case comprising more than one third of the same right. Provision was also made in the charter for the erection of the first gtist and saw-mills out of the proceeds of the public lands, and nine acres in each 7Ist part, and the same proportion for each lesser part, was so arranged by the charter that the profits arising therefrom should be applied to the con- struction of public roads and highways. The conditions and other reserva- tions of this charter were, " that each proprietor of the township should plant and cultivate five acres of land, and build a house at least eighteen feet square on the floor, or have one family settled on each respective right in said town- ship within the time limited by law of the state. Also, that all pine timber suitable for a navy be reserved for the use and benefit of the freemen of the state." The penalty of non-fulfillment was forfeiture of each non-improved right of land, the same to revert to the freemen of the state, and by their repre- sentatives be regranted to such persons as should after appear to settle and cultivate them.

The surface of the township whose birth we have thus recorded is pleasing to the eye and well adapted to the purposes of cultivation. Through the center of the town from north to south the Passumpsic river has its course. From its smiling valley the higher lands rise on either side to the east and west. In the southern part of the town it is joined by the Moose river, a large stream from the east, and Sleeper's river, a smaller tributary, from the

312

TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY.

northwest. There are a number of smaller streams in the township, so that the territory is well watered, and much available mill-power afforded.

In 1880 St. Johnsbury had a population of 5,800. In 1886 the town had sixteen school districts and thirty common schools, employing fifty-two female teachers, to whom was paid an average weekly salary, including board, of $9.06. There were 1,374 scholars, 365 of whom attended private schools. The entire income for school purposes was $21,403.93, while the total ex- penditures were $19,375.61, with E. T. Sandford, superintendent.

ST. JOHNSBURY village is charmingly located, where the Moose river joins the Passumpsic. The surrounding landscape is diversified by numerous mound-like hills and knolls, plateaus and winding water courses. Nature made it beautiful at first, and architecture and horticulture have added to the attractions of the place. It is a village of handsome residences and pleasant homes, and the hand of elegant culture is everywhere seen in the parterres of shrubs and flowers and verdant lawns fronting the dwellings of the people. Nearly every house is owned by its occupant, and prosperity and happiness reigns in the community. The name of "St. Johnsbury" and " Fairbanks," however, are almost synonymous appellations, and justly, too, for it is this large firm that has made this village what it is-a thriving, prosperous center. It was more than fifty years ago that the Fairbanks brothers-Erastus, Ver- mont's first war governor, Sir Thaddeus, the inventor, and Joseph P .- started the wheels of industry in a primitive scale factory here that has made their names famous the world over, and brought honor and wealth to the family and prosperity to the town. These pioneer scale makers were succeeded in the industry a generation since by the present management, ex-Governor Fairbanks becoming associated with the original firm of E. & T. Fairbanks in 1842, Col. Franklin Fairbanks entering in 1856, and Col. William P. Fair- banks dating his connection with the scale company from a more recent date.

A series of moral and physical photographs of St. Johnsbury from 1830 to 1885 would be remarkably full of interest and instruction. In that era. it has become the shire town and business center of eastern Vermont. In addition to its great scale industry the town contains a number of handsome buildings and public institutions which the munificence of the Fairbankses have pro- vided or founded. The St. Johnsbury academy, with its fine and spacious buildings, the St. Johnsbury Athenæum, with its choice library of 11,000 vol- umes, the commodious and handsome Y. M. C. A. building, and other minor structures, stand as monuments of their public spirit and liberality. Then there is Music Hall and the North church edifice, to which they liberally contributed ; the handsome Union school building, a dozen beautiful and attractive churches, and a fine soldier's monument to interest the visitor. The town has two national banks, the Merchants', and First National, with an aggregate capital of $900,000.00; also two savings banks, the Pas- sumpsic Savings Bank, and the Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company. St. Johnsbury is admirably situated for manufacturing purposes, being located

313

TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY.

at the confluence of the Passumpsic and Moose rivers, both of which streams furnish good water-power for mills and factories. The vast lumber regions of Lamoille and Essex counties are tributary by rail to St. Johnsbury, and the valuable granite quarries of northeastern Vermont supply large quantities of block granite to St. Johnsbury manufacturers. Miller & Ryan manufact- ure carriages ; A. H. McLeod operates extensive flouring-mills ; the Ely Hoe and Fork Company manufacture agricultural hand implements ; M. J. Caldbeck and H. & H. E. Randall operate sash, door and blind factories ; John Belknap makes knife blades and water motors; the St. Johnsbury Granite Co. and Carrick Bros. manufacture cemetery work and execute building contracts ; Fletcher & Co. and E. T. & H. K. Ide operate flour and grist-mills ; Demers & Pinard turn out packing-boxes, and G. W. Bonnett and B. F. Rollins man- ufacture agricultural implements. The history of its railroads, its newspa- pers, and its county buildings has already been given.

SUMMERVILLE is a post village just east of St. Johnsbury village. It is located principally on one street.

ST. JOHNSBURY EAST is a post village in the southeastern part of the town. ST. JOHNSBURY CENTER is a post village in the central part of the town.

St. Johnsbury Academy ranks as one of the best educational institutions of its kind in the United States. The academic buildings were the gift of Sir Thaddeus Fairbanks, and are suited in every way to the requirements of mod- ern education. The academy edifice, of Romano gothic architecture, is three stories high, and stands over a high basement containing the gymnasium, heating apparatus, etc. South hall is four stories high and contains sixty rooms for students. The academy was founded in 1842, the present build- ings being dedicated October 31, 1873. Aggregating the original cost of the buildings, subsequent gifts and subscription to an endowment fund, the gifts of Mr. Fairbanks to the institution amount to $200,000.00.

P. D. Blodgett & Co., insurance .- The office of P. D. Blodgett & Co. is one of the largest fire, life and accident insurance agencies in the state, and the firm represents a large number of the best and strongest companies in America and Europe. This agency has had a large experience, and is able to offer reliable indemnity in all branches of insurance. The Messrs. Blodg- ett give their business their personal attention, and the adjustment of losses through their office has invariably given good satisfaction. They are to be found in their pleasant rooms in the Y. M. C. A. building, on Eastern avenue, and offer every form and plan of insurance issued by first class companies.

MANUFACTURES.

The following extract is from a late publication, "Attractions of St. Johns- bury, Vt. : "-

Fairbanks Scale Works .- "The magnitude of special manufacturing is one of the few items of American industry of which the majority of people know but little. The years which must crown the labors of the inventor find their

314

TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY.

corollery in the lifetime of exertion of those who control and direct the largest of America's special manufacturing establishments, dotted here and there throughout the United States, and which can be counted on one's hand; they assume but little of their genuine importance when referred to by the march of progress. No more striking illustration of this theory can be referred to than the honest success, and, we think we will be pardoned if we use the strong expletive, the prodigious magnitude of The E. & T. Fair- banks & Company Scale Works. The benefit St. Johnsbury derives from this manufactory can hardly be estimated; and only those who have made a careful examination of the works can have any approximate idea of the magnitude of the industry. The history of the Fairbanks scale dates back to 1830. About that time a business company was established in St. Johnsbury for the purpose of cleaning hemp and preparing it for market. After commencing operations it was found that a machine or scale was very inuch needed to facilitate the operations of weighing the hemp. This necessity led to an investigation of the principle of levers as combined in a weighing machine and resulted ultimately in the invention and development of the platform scale by the late Sir Thaddeus Fairbanks. The invention of this machine-the first grand idea which has resulted in profit not only to the manufacturers, but to almost every branch of human industry-was by no means a mere accident ; and yet, hardly less mental ingenuity was required to originate the idea than in after years to perfect the manufacture, a work to which the skillful mechanical genius of the inventor was constantly and most successfully directed.

"The works of E. & T. Fairbanks & Co. occupy about twelve acres of ground upon which are over a score of substantial buildings, chiefly of brick. Spur tracks run from the railway lines entering St. Johnsbury to the com- pany's works, thus facilitating the shipment of goods. Labor-saving ma- chinery, and all the appliances which years of study can develop, are employed by the firm to facilitate the manufacture of their goods ; and the delicate accuracy, strength and unchanging quality of the scales are due in a great measure to the minor improvements successively introduced. The success of the establishment has been a natural sequence of skill in construction, care in mangement, and increasing demand for the article manufactured. The officers of the company are as follows : Horace Fairbanks, president ; Franklin Fairbanks, vice-president ; William P. Fairbanks, secretary and treasurer. The company gives employment to about 600 skilled artizans and mechanics who annually turn out over 80,000 standard scales of every con- ceivable form, the different modifications of which number over 400. The works have been operated by the present company since 1874, the company being incorporated in that year. The Fairbanks scale is recognized as the standard in all countries, and in every competitive exhibition it has received the highest honor and awards. Large shipments of scales are made to Rus- sia, Austria, Germany, Brazil, Chili and Australia. The Russian and Aus-

Gianuy Cabrandy

AC/EPNOR OF VERMONT, 1852-3. 1860-1.

315

TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY.

trian government railways are supplied with the Fairbanks track scale, and Russia has adopted the Fairbanks scale as the government standard.

" Messrs. E. & T. Fairbanks & Co. have for many years supplied the United States government with all the scales used in the Postoffice depart- ment. In addition to this contract the company have recently built and erected a monster testing machine in the U. S. Navy Yard shop at Washing- ton. The capacity of the machine is 150,000 pounds, and when tested it responded promptly to a weight of one and one-fourth pounds.

"In 1884 a company known as the Austro-Hungarian Fairbanks Company was organized at Buda Pesth, Hungary, with a capital of $100,000. The company was formed to set up scales for the European market made at St. Johnsbury and shipped thence in pieces. E. & T. Fairbanks & Co. have agencies in almost every city in the world. Their principal warehouses are : Fairbanks & Co., New York, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Md., New Orleans, Buf- falo, N. Y., St. Louis, Mo., Indianapolis, Ind., Albany, N. Y., Montreal, Can., Philadelphia, and London, Eng. ; Fairbanks, Brown & Co., Boston, Mass .; Fairbanks, Morse & Co., Chicago, Ill., St. Paul, Minn., Cincinnati, O., Louis- ville, Ky., and Cleveland, Ohio; Fairbanks & Hutchinson, San Francisco, Cal."

Carrick Brothers' granite works .- The granite works of Carrick Brothers have been in operation only about three years, yet in this brief time the firm has built up a large business, and now employs over fifty hands. The Car- rick Brothers are sole proprietors of the Victory Hill quarries, and do all kinds of granite work, monuments and statutes being a specialty. The Victory Hill granite is especially adapted to monumental purposes, being of a fine grain and very durable.

Ely Hoe and Fork Company .- The works of the Ely Hoe and Fork Com- pany were established by the late George W. Ely, in 1848, Ely, Balch & Co. succeeding Mr. Ely, the Ely Hoe and Fork Company being organized in 1880. The company employs a force of fifty men in the manufacture of hoes, forks, diggers, and other agricultural implements, the annual capacity of the works exceeding 12,000 dozen. The firm makes forty different sizes of hoes and forks, and uses 150 tons of steel annually. Superior workmanship and the use of the best materials in the manufacture of their goods have given the Ely Hoe and Fork Company a high reputation at home and abroad.

The Paddock Iron Works, located at Paddock Village, on the Passumpsic river, were built and established by Huxham Paddock, in 1828. His blast furnace was supplied with ore from Troy, Vt., and bog-ore from Lancaster, N. H., and other towns, and hauled by teams. The charcoal (and he had no other) was supplied from the forests near at hand, and also hauled to the furnace, giving employment to a large force of laborers. In conjunction with the foundry, where was manufactured plows, stoves and general custom cast- ings, he established a machine shop for manufacturing all kinds of machinery, and especially for mills. The business was conducted by Mr. Paddock until

316

TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY.

near the close of his life, in 1845. About 1843 his only son, John H. Pad- dock, in company with his uncle, John C. Paddock, and Newell Woods, assumed the business, under the firm name of J. C. & J. H. Paddock & Co. In about a year Mr. Woods retired from the firm. About 1849 Joseph Fuller became a partner with J. C. & J. H. Paddock, and about one year after J. C. Paddock withdrew from the firm. Mr. J. H. Paddock, with and without a. partner, conducted the business until recently. Now the iron works are con- ducted by Mr. Hynes.

The Paddock machine shop, established in 1828, was leased by O. V. Hooker and. Daniel Thompson in 1876, and the business was continued about a year under the firm name of Hooker & Thompson, when Mr. Hooker retired from the firm and Mr. Thompson continued the business alone until May, 1881, when Edward Goss became his partner, under the firm name of Thompson & Goss. This firm continued until September 18, 1886, when Mr. Thompson again became sole proprietor, and is now prosecuting the business. He is a. manufacturer of all kinds of iron and brass machinery, with a specialty in steam engine repairing and pipe fitting. This enterprise of Mr. Thompson gives employment to a force of from ten to twenty men.

The St. Johnsbury Brick Company's works, N. P. & T. H. Bowman, pro- prietors, located in Paddock Village, give employment to about twenty hands * in the manufacture of common and pressed brick, turning out about 1,000,000 per year. The business was established in 1871, and came into the posses- sion of the present proprietors in 1881.

The St. Johnsbury Granite Co. was established in 1874, by R. W. Laird, P. B. Laird and H. Moody. Mr. Moody retired from the company during the first year, and Mr. R. W. Laird is now sole proprietor. This leading in- dustry gives employment to from seventy-five to one hundred men, manu- facturing everything called for in the line of granite and statuary, with monu- mental work a specialty. Mr. Laird is also proprietor of granite quarries in Brunswick, Ryegate, Greensboro and Woodbury, all of which yield granite of superior quality. The manufactory is under the efficient management of Mr. E. M. Harris, foreman, and turns out of manufactured goods about $50,000.00 to $75,000.00 worth annually. Crystal granite quarry of Brunswick, Vt., yields a quality containing seventy-three per cent. of glass.

Valley Falls Mills, manufacturers of air-dried straw-board, were established by A. A. Pierce in 1864. He continued to operate them with his son, F. A., until May, 1884, when A. A. Pierce retired, and F. A. and J. W. Pierce as- sumed the business, under the firm name of Pierce Brothers. They pro- duce about 2,500 pounds of straw-board per day, employing eleven hands, and running about five months per year. Pierce Brothers also operate a cir- cular saw mill, doing custom and merchant work, cutting about 6,000 feet per day, about five months of the year.

D. M. Bacon's tannery, on road 23, near 35, was established about sixty years ago. John Bacon, 2d, bought it of Alden Foster, in 1853, and operated

317

TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY.

it until his death, in 1876, since which time his son D. M. has conducted the business. He employs two or three men, and tans from 1,000 to 1, 200 hides per annum.

O. P. Bennett's marble works are located opposite the depot in St. Johns- bury. Mr. Bennett gives employment to from three to five men in all kinds of monumental work.

Jones & Shields' furniture shop is located on the Passumpsic river, at Pad- dock Village, where they manufacture chamber and office furniture and ex- tension tables, employing seven men.

The Caledonia grist and flouring mills, A. H. McLeod, proprietor, are located at the north end of Railroad street, in St. Johnsbury village. They have six runs of stones, with the capacity for grinding 2,500 bushels per day.

Pinard & Demers's shops are located on Pleasant street, Paddock Village, where they manufacture hard wood furniture and packing cases. The firm commenced business in 1877, and give employment to twenty-five hands.

O. V. Hooker & Son's machine shops are located at the north end of Rail- road street, St. Johnsbury village. The company was formed in 1878, and the present buildings then erected. They manufacture circular saw-mills, planers, stave machines and general machinery, also doing job work of all kinds. The upper portion of the building is occupied by Warren S. Smith, as a sash, door and blind factory.

The Acme Iron Works, located at Paddock Village, are owned by M. Hynes, who makes all kinds of brass and iron castings, giving employment to eight men.

Wilder & Sons' machine shops, on Railroad street, were established in 1885. They manufacture Wilder's patent beveled sawing tables, and do general light machine work.

Thompson & Goodwin's turning works, located opposite the depot, in St. Johnsbury, were established by them in June, 1886. They have machinery for turning out 1,000 broom handles per day, or a proportionate amount of other work, from maple, ash, birch, poplar and basswood.

Miller & Ryan's carriage shop, at the corner of Railroad and Portland streets, was built by them in 1881. They employ twenty men, and manu- facture 200 carriages and 100 sleighs per annum.

Pierce & Jones' feed mill is located on the site of the mill built by Rufus Spaulding in 1817, at St. Johnsbury Center. The mill has two runs of stones, and turns out both custom and merchant work.

The East St. Johnsbury tannery was built by Henry F. Griswold, in 1881. F. W. Estabrook's grist and flouring mill is located at St. Johnsbury East.

BANKS.

The First National Bank of St. Johnsbury .- This bank was organized May 9, 1864, and authorized to begin business in July following ; but it really began banking in February, 1865, succeeding the old Passumpsic bank then

318

TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY.

closing up. Of the thirty-one men who signed the articles of association, twenty-three years ago, seventeen have died, as follows : Erastus Fairbanks, Noah Eastman, Ephraim Jewett, David Boynton, William W. Thayer, James K. Colby, Harry Chamberlin, Barron Moulton, A. G. Chadwick, Moses Kittredge, John D. Stoddard, Theron Howard, Joel Fletcher, James M. Eddy, Calvin Morrill, John Bacon, Thaddeus Fairbanks. The first board of ' directors were L. P. Poland, Horace Fairbanks, Calvin Merrill, John Bacon, Charles S. Dana, Franklin Fairbanks, and George A. Merrill. L. P. Poland, president ; Horace Fairbanks, vice-president ; and George May, cashier, held these offices from its organization until January, 1886. January 12, 1886, Luke P. Poland, president, and George May, cashier, resigned their respec- tive offices. Hon. Horace Fairbanks was then elected president, and John C. Clark, who was assistant cashier nearly three years, was elected cashier. The bank was organized with a capital af $ 100,000.00. This has been increased from time to time, until it now stands at $500,000.00. During its existence it has paid back to its stockholders, in dividends, $174.00 on each share, and at the present time holds a surplus of $79,000.00 unimpaired. It has declared one semi-annual dividend of $2.oo, one of $2.50, fifteen of $3.00. two of $3.50, twelve of $4.00, thirteen of $5.00, and the first one of $7.50. No losses were sustained until 1877, after which, for four or five years, the bank suffered severely, with others, in the general depression and depreciation of values.

Merchants' National Bank, incorporated 1875 ; capital $400,000, surplus $6,000. Banking house, Railroad street. W. S. Streeter, cashier. W. E. Peck, president ; H. E. Folsom, vice-president ; L. D. Hazen, C. T. A. Humphrey, W. L. Pearl and I. M. Smith, directors.

Passumpsic Savings Bank. Deposits, July, 1885, $1,279,000.00. Bank- ing house, 55 Main street. W. S. Boynton, treasurer. Investing com- mittee, Emerson Hall, Andrew J. Willard, A. E. Rankin, Edward F. Brown and G. L. Bradley. Emerson Hall, president ; Truman C. Fletcher, An- drew E. Rankin, Theron M. Howard, Andrew J. Willard, W. S. Boynton, Edward F. Brown, George L. Bradley, John M. Alvord, Henry C. Ide and Walter P. Smith, directors.

The Citizen's Savings Bank and Trust Company, of St. Johnsbury, organ- ized January 12, 1887, with Jacob G. Hovey, president ; Charles M. Chase, vice-president ; John T. Ritchie, treasurer; and O. H. Austin, G. P. Blair, A. L. Bailey, F. Richardson and P. F. Hazen, directors. The bank pays two per cent. semi-annually to depositors, and does general banking business.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The settlement of the town was begun in the latter part of 1786, just before the charter was granted. At that time James Martin, and J. C. and Jona- than Adams came up the valley to the meadow south of the Railroad street, and there began the first clearing in town. About the same time Simeon Cole established himself on the meadows south of Center Village. Later Ben-

319

TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY.

jamin Doolittle, Josiah Nichol, Thomas Todd, Jonathan and William Tres- cott had all obtained the right of proprietorship. The winter of 1786-87 was uneventful. A great settlement had not as yet sprung up on the ruins of Dunmore. The distant stores and grist-mills of Barnet furnished rum, sugar, and flour for the settlers. Amusing bits of experience of the men in bringing stores from Barnet to St. Johnsbury are related. One of these is about the old pioneer, first elected representative to the state Assembly, who used to make periodic journeys on foot to Barnet, and return with a two bushel bag of grain on his back, and a gallon of rum in his hand. Another story was told of a certain eccentric individual who bought a bag of potatoes "down below," and having, with the assistance of two or three able bodied men, secured the same on his back, set out for St. Johnsbury. Unfortunately a small rent in the corner of the bag became so enlarged in the course of the trip as to permit the escape of one of the potatoes. He feared to stoop least the weight of the bag would prevent his regaining his balance, and so pro- ceeded to kick the potato all the way home.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, Vt. 1764-1887, Part 38

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Co., Printers and Binders Number of Pages: 886

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Co., Printers and Binders
Number of Pages: 886