USA > Vermont > Addison County > Bristol > History of Bristol, Vermont (1762-1980), Third Edition > Part 11
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Horatio Needham was the next lawyer to practice here. He was born in Whiting, Vermont, in 1796. He began his study of the law in the office of Eli- jah Parker in Brandon and completed it with Samuel Holley in Bristol. He was admitted to the bar in 1821, opened his office here at that time, and continued his practice in Bristol until the time of his death in 1863. He was very active in town affairs, holding the office of Town Clerk for five years, that of Selectman for six years, and was representative to the General Assembly for four terms.
Joseph Bradley was an active lawyer in Bristol for several years but no information concerning his dates is available, except that he practiced here prior to 1880.
William H. Rider was born in Bristol in 1841 and studied law with Horatio Needham. In 1865, he was ad- mitted to the bar and practiced here until the time of his death in 1915.
Lauren Scott and Riley Mardin were two other lawyers who were here during the early years of Mr. Rider's practice. Mr. Mardin specialized in claims and pensions. He was Super-
The next lawyer to establish a practice in Bristol was Joel Page who came here in the early part of the 1890's and practiced in Bristol until 1904 when he moved to Burlington. He continued his practice there and was later joined by his son, Guy Page.
Jasper Page was born in Bristol in 1874. He was graduated from Beeman Academy in New Haven and attended Albany Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1906 and practiced in Bristol from then until the time of his death in 1924.
Three lawyers who came to Bristol after 1900 and who remained but a short time were: Murray Bourne, about 1908; Melwood Taft, about 1913; and Guy Townsend, who came in the middle of the 1930's.
Ezra S. Dike was educated in Bristol and at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River. He attended a business college in New York and then worked in law offices in Middlebury and Bristol. He studied law and obtained a law degree from LaSalle Extension University by correspondence. He was admitted to the Vermont State Bar in 1937 and has maintained a private practice in Bristol since that time. Mr. Dike served as a state representative in the Vermont Legislature for three ses- sions in 1951, 1953, and 1955. He was appointed Addison County State's At- torney by Governor Philip Hoff in 1966 and served until 1973.
David A. Bronson was born and raised in Addison County, Vermont. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont. He continued his education in Maine and graduated from the University of Maine Law School. Mr. Bronson began his law practice in Bristol in May 1975. His office is located at 5 South Street. He presently serves as Bristol Village and Town Attorney.
George R. Vince started the private practice of law in Bristol in October 1975. His office is located on
Vince graduated from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and received his law degree from American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, D.C.
Information for this article compiled from the History of Bristol, Vermont, First Edition and Second Edition, and from the July 26, 1978, edition of the Valley Voice, Middlebury, Ver- mont.
Physicians
The list of physicians is in com- plete and in many cases no data is available. Where only one date is given, that represents the date at which practice was begun in Bristol. The first group of physicians is as follows: Dr. Joseph Cable, 1794; Dr. James Day, 1799-1814; Dr. Robert Smith, 1803; Dr. Joseph Needham, 1813-1833; Dr. Noble Finney; Dr. Franklin B. Hathaway; Dr. William C. Warner, 1843; Dr. Tousley; Dr. Frederick P. Wheeler; Dr. Levi Hasseltine; Dr. Oren Smith; Dr. S. A. Skinner; Dr. J. H. Steele; and Dr. White.
Dr. Elon B. Prime was born in Bristol in 1843. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Phil- adelphia, in 1870 and from the Royal College of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1882. He practiced in Bristol from 1886 until his death here in 1896.
Dr. E. M. Kent, son of Dr. Marble Kent who had also practiced in Bristol at one time, graduated in 1866 from UVM Medical College. He came to Bristol that year and stayed until his death. In his later years, he changed from the practice of medicine to phar- macy and opened the drug store now known as the South Side Drug Store.
Dr. Ashbel. Dean, born in Monkton in 1857, graduated from the New York University Medical College in 1878. He settled in Bristol im- mediately and remained until his death here in 1899. He, too, changed to phar- macy in his later years and opened a
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drug store on the north side of Main Street.
Dr. D. A. Bisbee graduated from the University of Michigan in 1875 and came here in 1879. He started work here in the practice of medicine and later changed to pharmacy at the Village Drug Store.
During the 1880's and 1890's, there were three physicians in Bristol of whom little is known: Dr. Allen, Dr. Edgar Walker, and Dr. E. I. Hall. Dr. Hall was a homeopathic doctor and re- mained here for some time.
Dr. George Farnham graduated from UVM Medical College in 1884. He was here only two years, 1884-1886. While here, however, he started the prize speaking contests which were popular at that time and also the first lecture course ever given in Bristol. Among the lecturers in this course were Henry Ward Beecher and Russell Conwell.
Dr. Homer Bogue graduated from UVM Medical College in 1886 and set- tled here a year later. In 1894, he moved to California and was an outstanding surgeon and physician there.
Dr. Anson Norton was born in Bristol in 1863 and graduated from UVM Medical College in 1889. He was prominent in the political life of the town. He served with dedication dur- ing the influenza epidemic of 1919. He died in 1921.
Dr. George F. Edmunds was born in Irasburg and was a boyhood friend of Dr. Homer Bogue spoken of earlier. He came to Bristol in 1890. He attend- ed UVM Medical College and graduated from Baltimore Medical College. In 1894, he bought Dr. Bogue's practice. He served the town in various capacities and worked as a physician here until his death in 1939.
Dr. Francis Briggs settled in Bristol in the late 1890's after graduating from Baltimore Medical College. He was a skilled surgeon as well as a family physician. Older residents also remember his musical talents. He died in Bristol in 1924.
Dr. Harold L. Williamson was born in Huntington, graduated from UVM Medical College, and established himself as a physician in Bristol in 1906. He served on many local boards
and for several years was President of the First National Bank of Bristol. He died here in 1953.
Dr. Max Thompson came to Bris- tol in the early 1920's after his gradua- tion from UVM Medical College. He practiced here for three years and then moved to Rutland.
Dr. Edward Lane came to Bristol in 1924 from North Ferrisburg where he had practiced for a number of years. He worked in Bristol until his death in 1939.
Dr. Charles S. Paine, born in Ran- dolph, graduated from UVM Medical College in 1932 and settled in Bristol in 1933. He had a large practice here and served until his death in 1952.
Dr. A. Harry Roller graduated in 1935 from UVM Medical College. He came to Bristol in 1939 and built up a sizeable practice. He died suddenly in 1948.
Dr. Charles K. Johnson came to Bristol about 1946. He was a Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at UVM Medical College and was the first cer- tified pediatrician in Vermont. He con- tinued his practice in Bristol until 1958.
Dr. Harold E. Williamson, son of Dr. H. L. Williamson spoken of earlier, was born in Bristol. He graduated from UVM Medical College in 1940 and served several years in the U.S. Navy. He was chosen to go with Admiral Richard E. Byrd on the An- tarctic Expedition, "Operation High Jump," and served as Senior Medical Officer, Flight Surgeon, on the U.S.S. Pine Island. He left Norfolk, Virginia, in December 1946, and returned to San Francisco in December 1947. In 1947, Dr. Williamson took over the office used by his father and has been practic- ing here ever since. He served Bristol for fifteen years as Public Health Of- ficer from 1950 to 1965. He served as a Director of the First National Bank from 1948 to 1952 and as Vice Presi- dent from 1952 to 1968. Since 1968, he has been on the Board of Advisors for the bank now known as The Merchants Bank. He is serving in that capacity currently, as well as carrying on a full- time practice.
Dr. Lindsay Robinson, a graduate of Toronto Medical College, came to Bristol in 1952. His poor health forced
him to give up his practice here.
Dr. Harley G. Shepard graduated from UVM Medical College in 1951. He located in Bristol in March 1953, on the second floor of the Lathrop Block. Later he moved his general family practice to 30 North Street. In September 1958, he moved to New Jersey where he lives at present and works as an industrial physician.
Dr. Dwight Kresge came to Bristol in 1959. He graduated from Temple University School of Medicine in 1953. He had additional training in pediatrics and in internal medicine after gradua- tion. He served two years active duty in the U.S. Air Force and also had a private practice in Burlington before coming to Bristol. He was established in Bristol from 1959 to 1962. While here, he served on the Board of Educa- tion and as President of the Bristol Association for Retarded Children. He was also a member of the Vermont Air National Guard. Dr. Kresge is current- ly living in Connecticut and is a scien- tist in Aerospace Research with United Aircraft.
Dr. Dewees H. Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and came to Bristol in July 1959. He graduated from UVM Medical College in June of 1954, did his internship at Western Pennsylvania Hospital, and his residency in internal medicine at Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington. From 1955 to 1957, between his internship and residency, he served in the U.S. Air Force. Dr. Brown built up a very large practice while in Bristol. During his stay here, he also served as athletics doctor for Mount Abraham Union High School, President of the Vermont Medical Society, President of the Ver- mont Academy of Family Physicians, and as a member of the Vermont Air National Guard. He was involved in many other community service groups including the Bristol Rescue Squad. Dr. Brown left Bristol in 1975 and is currently Director of the Family Prac- tice Residency Program at Middlesex Memorial Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut. He and his family main- tain their home here and often visit in Bristol.
In June 1964, Dr. Clark W. Bryant came to Bristol. He was born in
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Pennsylvania and graduated from Temple University School of Medicine in 1961. He was in partnership with Dr. D. H. Brown for a short time. He became certified in internal medicine and family practice in 1967, and in June of that year moved his office to Middlebury. He is practicing there cur- rently.
Also in 1964, Dr. Wayne E. Peters came to Bristol. Born in Iowa, he graduated in 1961 from the University of Iowa Medical School. He, too, was in partnership with Dr. D. H. Brown for a short time. In 1965, he worked part time in Bristol and part time in Middlebury. In 1966, he moved his of- fice permanently to Middlebury and is practicing pediatrics there at present.
Dr. David F. Henderson arrived in Bristol in August 1975. He took over the former offices and practice of Dr. D. H. Brown. Dr. Henderson was born in Maine and graduated from the medical school at Jefferson University in 1969. He did a year of general in- ternship from 1969-70. He worked as a physician at the Fort Berthold Reserva- tion in North Dakota under the Indian Health Service from 1970-1973. From 1973 to 1975, he did his residency in in- ternal medicine at UVM. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the honor medical society. Dr. Henderson is currently a member of the Bristol Rescue Squad and other Bristol com- munity service organizations. He presently has a sizeable practice here in internal medicine.
Dentists
In 1909, two dentists began the practice of their profession in Bristol. Dr. R.J. Bristol, who was born in the town, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Dental College and returned to practice in his native town. Dr. Watson Morgan, a native of Lin- coln, graduated from Baltimore Dental College and began his practice here at about the same time. Both men built up large practices and were always will- ing supporters of any moves for civic betterment. In 1924, Dr. Morgan's office and equipment burned, and he moved to Burlington to practice. Dr. Bristol retired due to poor health in 1946; he died in 1955.
Dr. William H. Cardell, Jr., a native of Bristol, graduated from New York University Dental School and opened an office here in 1946. Until 1970, he was the only dentist in town. Dr. Cardell retired from his practice in 1975.
Dr. David F. Gage graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and began his practice of dentistry in Bristol in 1970. Dr. Gage purchased Dr. Cardell's practice and dental office at 34 Mountain Street and is located there at present.
Dr. Robert Frank briefly replaced Dr. Barkin in 1976. Dr. Frank left after six months and was replaced by Dr. Bruce Metz who served until he went into private practice in 1979. The present dentist is Dr. Kim R. Mont- gomery who plans to make the center his permanent career.
In 1977, Joseph Nolting replaced Barbara Brasure as Administrator. His work further improved the operation of the clinic, especially the bookkeep- ing and record keeping. It was his in- novation to change the name from the Addison County Dental Clinic, Inc., to the present Addison County Dental Center, Inc. In 1978, Jim Finn replaced Joseph Nolting as Administrator. Mr. Finn resigned in
1979, and in September, Mrs. Brigitta D. Lawrence became a part-time Business Manager of the center.
Information for this article provided by Brigitta Lawrence and Barbara Brasure.
Addison County Dental Center, Inc.
In 1972, after a Public Health Survey determined that there was a critical shortage of dental personnel in Addison County, the Addison County Dental Clinic was established. The clinic, also known as Tooth Hollow, provides non-profit professional dental care to residents of Addison County with special recognition of the needs of low-income residents. It was founded through the joint efforts of the Na- tional Health Service Corps, the Ad- dison County Community Action Group allied with the County Developer of the Office of Economic Opportunity, and Vista Volunteers.
The National Health Service Corps supplied equipment and a den-
tist. The Addison County Community Action Group supplied a facility and waived rent during the formative stages. The clinic served its first pa- tients in February of 1973, with Dr. Benjamin Lawton serving as the first dentist. In October 1973, Dr. Roger Barkin, another member of the Na- tional Health Service Corps became the clinic's dentist. Under Dr. Barkin the number of patients seen was greatly in- creased.
In the summer of 1973, David Rosen was hired as a part-time ad- ministrator in an effort to improve the clinic's income from patient fees and to coordinate fund raising. The outside fund raising was necessary if the sliding fee scale was to remain and service to low-income people to improve. Mr. Rosen was replaced by Ms. Barbara Brasure, and her work further im- proved the clinic.
On March 29, 1974, at approx- imately 3 p.m., fire completely destroyed the Addison County Dental Clinic located on Main Street. No one was injured, but there was no salvage of equipment, and many records were completely destroyed. Ms. Brasure im- mediately began trying to salvage the operation of the clinic. Arrangements were made to use Dr. Harvey Green's facilities, after hours, in Middlebury. Some dental work was done in Ms. Brasure's living room. In addition, her efforts raised the necessary funds and donations of equipment to reopen the clinic by the summer of 1974 in what was formerly known as Thompsons Store on Route 116, the present site of the clinic. Renovation and carpentry work on the clinic was supervised by Leon Jimmo, who volunteered his time and labor.
Today, the staff consists of one dentist, one dental assistant, a part- time dental hygienist, an outreach worker, a secretary-receptionist, and a business manager. A fifteen-member Board of Trustees meets monthly to oversee the affairs of the center.
The dental center consists of a fully equipped, two-chair dental opera- tory, a room for oral hygiene instruc- tion, a laboratory, a waiting room, and an administrator's office. The center is at present researching the possibility of a new site in the Town of Bristol.
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XVI Prominent Persons
The Munsills (Late 1700's-1800's)
The Munsills figured extensively in the early activities of the Town of Bristol. Captain Gurdon Munsill was born in Windsor, Connecticut, Oct- ober 26, 1760, and came to Bristol in 1789 where he lived in a log house which he had built. He was the first collector of taxes, a Selectman, and represented the town in 1796. He died in 1807.
Judge Harvey Munsill, one of his eight children, served the town in many capacities. He was Judge of Probate, 1836 to 1870, and Justice of the Peace for over thirty years. He also served the town as Selectman, Town Clerk, Town Agent, and Moderator. He was a Town Representative and a State Senator in 1842-1843. He was Captain of the First Brigade, Third Division, Vermont Militia. From 1828 to 1866, he was Master of Libanus Lodge. He died on April 11, 1876, full of years and covered with honor.
The Judge's only son, Harvey C. Munsill, was born in Bristol on June 22, 1824. He took over his father's real estate and at one time owned all the land west of Maple Street. He assisted in planting many of the maple trees on the streets of the town including all of them on Maple Street. He was a graduate of Middlebury College and practiced law. He dealt extensively in real estate and made several creditable additions to the village plot of Bristol. The Early History of Bristol, Vermont published in 1979 by the Bristol Historical Society was a direct copy of a manuscript written by the Honorable Harvey C. Munsill around 1860. His published information is a great addi- tion to the complete history of our town. Also, Munsill Avenue took his name.
Harvey C. had three children: Newcomb H. (July 14, 1852- February 2, 1900); Seraph L. (May 17, 1863-August 20, 1865); and Charles E. (born May 27, 1867). The first son, Newcomb H. was responsible
for the Rock Spring Water Company which supplied piped water from springs off the mountain to lots bought from the Munsills in the 1880's. He ex- tended the system and supplied a large majority of the families in the Village. In 1893, he presented the fire district with a hose cart and this was the start of the N. H. Munsill Hose Company, later to become the Bristol Fire Depart- ment as explained elsewhere in this book.
The Munsons (Early 1800's)
According to Harvey C. Munsill's manuscript, Captain Noble Munson was born in Westfield, Massachusetts. He moved to Bristol and built and oc- cupied the house now owned by Theo- dore D'Avignon at 29 North Street. Here he lived until his death in 1851. He served the town for many years as Selectman, Representative, and was the Town Treasurer for thirty-one suc- cessive years. He was in the Battle of Plattsburg. He was Captain of the Fourth Company Infantry in the
Second Regiment of the Militia of Ver- mont. Captain Munson was regarded as one of our most respected citizens.
Luman Munson, son of Captain Noble Munson, built one of the first frame houses, now owned by M. E. Sargent at 6 Park Place. The Munsons owned all the land extending between North, West, and Church Streets. The Munsons gave to the Town the land known as the Park. The following deed is recorded in Volume 7, Page 120, of the Bristol Land Records: "In con- sideration of the friendship, love, esteem and good will we have for the town of Bristol we quit claim a certain piece of land of about one and one-half acres of land for the express purpose of a public Common and Green and it is particular understood that the Select- men of the town or any person shall not be at liberty to erect or build any house, shop or any building or fence the same up, or incumber in any wise by rolling logs or packing lumber, stone, brick, lime, clay, earth, or dig up the earth. It shall be and remain as a public Common without anything be-
A view of the Park in days gone by - property given to the Town by the Munson family
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ing built or laid there on. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the 21st day of April, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-seven. Luman Munson, George C. Dayfoot. Attest Winston H. Holley, Town Clerk, Bristol Vermont, April 21st, 1827."
The Hasseltines (1800's-1900's)
About 1820, Joseph Hasseltine settled in Bristol. His son, Levi, became a physician and practiced in Bristol for many years. Levi's oldest son, Amos E. Hasseltine, was born in 1811, and about 1840 he settled in Bristol on the farm which he bought from his father-in-law, John Brooks. This farm on Bristol Flats is now own- ed by George Burritt and located on the west side of Route 116 south of the Hewitt Road intersection. Amos Hasseltine built the large house on this farm in 1856. Amos had one son, Er- win A. Hasseltine, who probably was the most widely known member of the family during his lifetime.
Erwin A. Hasseltine was born in Bristol on April 30, 1838, in a brick house on the east-west road by the New Haven River. This road, now aban- doned, joined Carlstrom Road. Erwin A. Hasseltine was brought up on his father's farm on Bristol Flats and at- tended school at the Bristol Academy. He graduated in 1862 from Middlebury College. He taught school for a few years and then took up farming across the road from his father on the southeast corner of Hewitt Road and Route 116. Later, his son, Howard S. Hasseltine, farmed there. Erwin A. Hasseltine set out the maple grove now standing on the west side of Route 116 across the road from his farm. Later, Erwin moved back to his father's farm on Bristol Flats and helped his father operate it.
Erwin A. Hasseltine was always deeply interested in education. From 1888 to 1892, he was appointed super- visor of schools in Addison County. He then served as examiner of teachers in Addison County for several years. He was a member of the first Board of School Directors in Bristol and served as Superintendent for several years. In
1900, he was elected Judge of the Pro- bate Court for the District of New Haven and held that position for four- teen years. He died November 7, 1923, at the age of eighty-five.
Judge Erwin A. Hasseltine had three sons. George, the oldest, grad- uated from Middlebury College and then studied law. At one time, he was a practicing attorney in Bristol. George died in Pasadena, California, in June 1941, at the age of sixty-nine. Another son, Howard, lived in Bristol all his life and was well known as a fine musician. He was a member of the former Bristol Military Band from 1905 until his death in 1958 and was its leader for many years. A third son, Herman E., attended Middlebury College and later graduated from the Baltimore Medical College in 1904. He became an officer in the Public Health Service and served in that capacity in many places in the United States. He worked three years at the United States Leprosy Station in Hawaii. Later, Dr. Herman E. Hasseltine was placed in charge of the United States Public Health Service Hospital at Carville, Louisiana, where he served from 1935 to 1940. In 1938, he was chairman of the United States delegation to the International Leprosy Congress in Egypt. He retired in 1945 and spent his summers at his home in Bristol at 143 North Street. He died June 8, 1968, and was buried in the Hasseltine family plot in Greenwood Cemetery.
Noble F. Dunshee (1833 - 1923)
Mr. Dunshee, commonly known as Colonel Dunshee, was born April 4, 1833, and spent most of his life in Bristol. In 1849, however, he went with two friends to the California gold fields but evidently did not make any startling strikes. His only "discovery" was the Town of Denver where he pur- chased a sizeable piece of real estate.
In February 1857, Mr. Dunshee married Charlotte Soper, the ceremony being performed by Reverend David Bosworth. Less than ten years later, rumblings of the Civil War were troubling the whole country. Mr. Dun- shee organized the Vermont State Volunteer Militia at Bristol on
September 8, 1862. It was mustered in- to service at Brattleboro on October 21, 1862. Mr. Dunshee was Captain of Company G, 14th Regiment, and served until the end of the war.
He started a dry goods business in 1883 in company with Willis Peake. Later he established himself in the so- called Dunshee Block at the east end of Main Street on the south side. Here, with his son, Harry, he carried on the dry goods store until his death on April 4, 1923, at exactly ninety years of age. Mr. Dunshee was known far and near as a fine, reliable businessman. His son continued with the business for several years.
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