USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 41
USA > Vermont > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 41
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VILLAGES AND HAMLETS OF ENOSBURGH.
Enosburgh Center is probably the most ancient of the settled villages of the town, and one that had its foundation almost as early as settle- ment was made in the locality. Here it was that the proprietors voted to lay out the parade ground, being an act nothing less than the dona- tion of lands for the public use. The Center never had any corporate ex- istence, but in a way was once the most important trading and business points in the town; here was located the usual and indispensable pot and pearlash works, a comb factory, a harness shop, a blacksmith shop, and a tailor shop, which, with the customary two stores, comprised the business interests of the hamlet at an early day. Here, too, was the resi- dence of Dr. Eliphaz Eaton, who came in 1805 or '06 and practiced for many years, besides holding the responsible office of town clerk In this office he was succeeded by his son, Horace Eaton, who likewise was
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a physician, and who became not only a person of large influence in the town and county, but was elevated to the high office of governor of the state, being, perhaps, the highest position ever filled by any citizen of the town.
For many years, and until the stage coach was replaced by more modern means of travel, Enosburgh Center was the chief settled and leading community of the town; but with the constant march of im- provement and the establishment of modern industries the hamlet has been robbed of much of its former glory, and is now become one of the least important trading points of the town. Its present business in- terests may be summed up in the possession of Woodward's general store, Spooner's hotel (the Central House), a blacksmith's shop, and the legal and justice business performed by Orrin Woodward. The town clerk's office has ever been maintained at the Center, and the incumbent of that position has generally been a physician, the present being Will- iam W. Hutchinson, the successor in office of his father, Dr. William R. Hutchinson.
In addition to what has already been referred to as forming the hamlet of Enosburgh, the place has two regularly established church societies, each being the outgrowth of pioneer efforts and the first founded in the town. These societies are the Congregational and Episcopal. As early as the year 1804 there was an effort made in town meeting to have public worship and preaching at the town's expense, but the proposi- tion did not meet with general approval and was voted down; but at a later period the subject was again discussed with the final result of es- tablishing a primitive church organization, from which the Congrega- tional church and society of the present day are the direct outgrowth, although it was not until the years 1820 and 1821 that the meeting- house of the society was built. Among the early preachers in this vicinity, whose labors were of the character of missionary work and not presumed to be denominational, were Revs. James Parker, Thomas Skelton, John Scott, Moses Parmalee, J. T. Phelps, J. C. Wilder, J. C. Kent, Moses Robinson, Alfred B. Swift, and perhaps others, who were settled ministers and compensated by payment in grain or provisions, which, for want of cash, were considered and adopted as equivalent or money value. But as the population of the town increased the people
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ÍSLE COUNTIES.
began to divide themselves into societies according to their inclination, preference, or early teaching in spiritual affairs. In 1820 and '21 the Congregational meeting- house was erected, being the second of this society in the county. In 1849 and '50 the building was substantially repaired, but the society became so strong in numbers and influence that in 1870 the old building was replaced by the present edifice, the latter being of frame construction, and in all respects a commodious and attractive place of public worship. Its cost was about $10,000, and its seating capacity is 250.
Christ's Church of Enosburgh had its origin in the association formed on the 19th of December, 1821, by Nathaniel Griswold, Edward Baker, George Griswold, Joshua Miller, William Barber, Giles Martin, Robert Barber, Moses Wells, and others, to the number of nearly forty, but who never came into the church. The persons whose names are above re- corded formed the association at the time stated, but the church was not formally organized until May 6, 1822 ; and even then no church home was provided, nor until 1839-40, when an edifice was built at West Enosburgh, the society in the meantime having the occasional use of the Congregational meeting-house and the school-house for their serv- ices. The church was erected at the West village for the accommodation of members living in the west part of the town and in Sheldon. But this proved to be an unfortunate movement for the society, as expected results were not realized ; and again, the church structure was so insuf- ficiently built as to soon become practically valueless ; therefore, in 1857, it was sold and taken down, and the seat of the church moved back to the Center. In 1861 the church edifice was erected, and was conse- crated on the 9th of February, 1862.
East Enosburgh, or, as otherwise known, Stoneville, is the smallest and least in importance of any of the hamlets of the town; in fact it was so exceedingly small as to require much effort in obtaining a post- office for the place, and that end would never have been obtained ex- cept for the influence of prominent farmers living in that remote part of the town. Industries and enterprises of like character the hamlet has none, but in the region of the place, and northeast of it, is John M. Whitcomb's saw, shingle, and planing- mill, which was started by him in 1885, and gradually enlarged as necessity required. The only public
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buildings at this point are the school-house of district number three, and the Baptist church, the latter having occasional services by a supply minister. This church was organized in 1810. The prominent dwellers in this locality are Samuel H. Dow, T. T. Snell, J. H. Chaffee, John M. Whitcomb, Clarence Whitcomb, G. H. Nichols, George Adams, and Gardner S. Fassett, each of whom is a truly representative citizen and progressive farmer.
West Enosburgh is a pretty little hamlet, situated, as its name indicates, in the west part of the town, on the branch, which stream at this point is of considerable magnitude, and furnishes power for such manufact- ures as are located here, but its capacity in this respect has never been taxed beyond, or even up to, its power. West Enosburgh has also been known as Jacksonville, but the latter name is applied more in derision and jest than otherwise. This place was the home of Judge Austin Fuller, who, in his time, was one of the foremost men of the whole town. The enterprise of Judge Fuller established this burg, for here he built and started, many years ago, a grist-mill, starch factory, and, likewise then an important industry in the town, a distillery ; also Judge Fuller was engaged in merchandising for many years at the West village. But after the Judge's time these industries passed into other hands, and some of them were discontinued. The grist and flour-mills became the prop- erty of C. F. Ovitt, and from him went to his sons, C. L. and W. R. Ovitt, the first named now being in charge of the mercantile business, while the latter is proprietor of the grist-mill. These, with the Bessee & Webster store and the few minor establishments, such as carriage and blacksmith shops, comprise whatever of business enterprise West Enos- burgh now possesses. A short distance from the village proper there stands an idle building that was formerly a carding and fulling-mill, but being remote from the railroad, and suffering from outside competition, it has gone into disuse. About two miles east from the burg is Lyman Gilbert's tannery, an industry of some note in former years, but now standing idle much of the time. South of the village is a patrons' creamery. The Venture was a newspaper publication founded by C. L. Ovitt at Bakersfield about 1873, and two years afterward moved to West Enosburgh, and there continued several years more. It started as a four-page paper, 8 x 10 inches in size, but was subsequently enlarged
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
to twice its original dimensions. After some six or seven years of life the Venture was discontinued.
West Enosburgh has one church society, the Methodist Episcopal, which was organized about 1825, under the ministry of Rev. Isaac Hall, and with a membership of fifteen persons ; but for many years pre- ceding that organization Methodist preaching was had in the locality, even as early as 1812 or '14. The church edifice at the West village was erected in 1839, and afterward repaired or remodeled in 1855, and again in 1882. It is a substantial brick building, having a seating capacity for 200 persons. Among the more prominent dwellers in West Enos- burgh and its immediate vicinity there may be named Henry Bessee, Henry H. Cutting, Charles L. Ovitt, Marshall P. Hubbell, A. P. Croft, W. R. Ovitt, C. S. McAllister, and J. P. Hendricks.
The little burg that rejoices in the name of Bordoville lies in the ex- treme southwest corner of the town, being nearly three miles from the West village, and about six from the Falls. Aside from its single store and Seventh- Day Advent Church there is but little to indicate to the wayfarer the presence of a named hamlet; but for all that Bordoville lives and has a being. The society of the church here was organized in 1860, with eleven members, but not until 1864 was the church build- ing erected, costing $700
Samsonville, so called in honor of its founder, Dennis Samson, is a station on the line of the Missisquoi Valley Railroad, and on the banks of the Missisquoi River. At this point it is said Samuel Stone built a grist-mill many years ago, probably somewhere about 1825, as old residents state. Samson, the founder of the hamlet, came later and started a starch factory ; also a fulling and cloth-mill at the place ; hence its name. But Samsonville is not by any means destitute of present business interests, for here are operated the extensive mills owned by Silas P. Carpenter, A. W. Woodward, and Daniel Moren, under the name of " The Samsonville Mill Company." John L. Perley became interested in these mills about the year 1851, then becoming half-owner, but afterward taking the whole plant, operating the saw-mill, grist-mill, and cheese-box factory. In 1887 he sold out to the company above mentioned.
North Enosburgh is a post station on the Missisquoi Valley Railroad,
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VILLAGES OF ENOSBURGH.
and likewise has its site on the north side of the River Missisquoi. Here Thomas Fuller made the first substantial improvements something more than sixty years ago. Here, too, at the intersection of the principal roads, was built, about 1810 or 'II, a building that is said to have been occupied by Charles Stevens as a hotel or inn. Thomas Fuller "traded" in the little red store building, but afterward built another and larger building near the corner or cross roads, the latter being now occupied by Daniel Woodward, one of the prominent men of the locality. Among the other prominent residents of the vicinity of North Enos- burgh may be mentioned the names of D. M. Perley, Byron Woodward, Edwin P. Stevens, and Horace Read Ingalls, the last two named being residents south of the river.
Village of Enosburgh Falls .- The village of Enosburgh Falls is by far the most important trading and manufacturing center in the town, but practically within the last quarter of a century has this prominence been attained. Indeed, so rapid and healthful has been the growth of this locality that on the 19th of November, 1886, the state legislature passed an act incorporating the old Seventh School District into a vil- lage, and otherwise provided for the election of trustees, clerk, treasurer, collector, one chief engineer, two assistants, three fire wardens, and con- ferred upon the village the power to govern its district in the same manner that other corporate villages are ordered and governed.
But Enosburgh Falls as a hamlet had an existence almost if not quite as early as any other settled locality of the town, yet it was not until the construction of the Missisquoi Valley Railroad through the town that the rapid strides in the direction of municipality were made. The hamlet was first started and built up in the vicinity of the falls, where nature designed one of the best of the many fine water privileges of the valley, but which required the arts of man to develope and put into practical use and operation. That this power has been utilized by past genera- tions, as well as by the present, there can be no doubt, for the old build- ings still standing are sufficient evidence of the fact in the absence of other proof, but just when manufacturing commenced here, and what was its peculiar character, none of the present villagers will venture to state. During the early years of the present century Samuel Kendall was numbered among the most prominent men of this locality. In 1824
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
he built and put into operation a woolen-mill, or, as it was then known, a carding and fulling-mill, and manufactured cloth for the few settlers of the locality. Also, that he might profitably turn into cash an accumu- lated stock of corn, he started a distillery, but the latter industry he gave up, not liking the whiskey business. After Samuel Kendall, the pioneer, came his sons Marshall and Samuel, jr., as proprietors of the mill, and about 1860, or perhaps earlier, the "red mill " was built by Samuel, jr. The property afterward passed through other hands, and finally came to its present occupancy.
At an early day Retup Peck built a saw and grist-mill just below the site of the bridge as at present located. It afterward went to Samuel Peck, and was eventually torn down. Horton Hall was early in the saw-mill business, his 'mill standing where John Lawrence's mill now is. Perley Hall owned it at one time, and after him Reed & Sprague, and finally, in 1866, it was bought by Mr. Lawrence. There, in the same locality, was the old broom-handle factory, owned and operated by one Drake; but this, too, is numbered with the things that have passed.
But it cannot be essentially within the province of this chapter to dwell at any considerable length upon these old industries ; they have many of them long since passed into history, have outlived their useful- ness, and are now replaced by new industries, some of like character and others wholly new and different ; but all, both past and present, have contributed their full share in building up and maintaining the reputa- tion that Enosburgh enjoys, as being not only one of the prettiest, but as well one of the most enterprising and prosperous villages in the state of Vermont. The honor of establishing this good name for the place does not belong to the old generation of inhabitants, but to those in the field of business at the present day ; and as past writers have alluded mainly to the established institutions of the period of which they re- corded events, so it remains only for the present historian to confine his narrative to the things that are rather than those that were, and, at the same time, taking each subject at its founding and pursuing its history to the present .. Manufacturing industries have made Enosburgh Falls the prominent village that it is; and it can be said, as an undeniable truth, that no village in the entire state, having no greater population than this, can boast of as many or of as great a variety of manufactured
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VILLAGES OF ENOSBURGH.
commodities as Enosburgh Falls. The principal manufactures of this village, and those which bring to the place the greatest annual revenue, are proprietary or patent medicines ; and in this special industry Enos- burgh Falls has a reputation second to no place in the state. There are in operation in the village at the present time no less than five firms or companies engaged in this branch of manufacture, each of which appears to be doing a reasonably successful business.
The B. J. Kendall Company .- Away back in the early 'seventies Dr. B. J. Kendall was the proprietor of a drug store in this village; and in the course of his business and practice became in some manner possessed of a number of valuable recipes, or prescriptions, or remedies, for application and use in cases of sickness or infirmities in either man or beast. One of these remedies (and how the worthy doctor happened to discover it the world has not yet learned) was found to be peculiarly beneficial when applied to horses affected with the infirmity commonly called a "spavin." This remedy was then a new discovery, and one not in use in the market, and to give it circulation and bring it prominently before the public it was named " Kendall's Spavin Cure," and so adver- tised and published to the world, at least so far as Dr. Kendall's means enabled him to do. But the good and worthy proprietor soon found that the invention and compounding of a medicine, however meritorious an article it might be, was one thing, while putting it on the market and bring in substantial revenue returns was quite another thing, and some- what difficult of accomplishment. In his efforts to advertise and make a market for his remedy the doctor soon found his means were exhausted and his success doubtful ; but in his extremity he applied to Carmi L. Marsh, a resident of Franklin, and a farmer of large means, with the re- sult that the latter became interested in the business under the firm style of B. J. Kendall & Co., in the year 1879. This acquisition to the busi- ness and firm proved highly beneficial, and Kendall's Spavin Cure was freely and liberally advertised throughout the country. Among other things the worthy doctor issued a book publication called "Dr. Ken- dall's Treatise on the Horse," and this was given a wide distribution and circulation, in the form of club inducements and other legitimate devices. But the prominence these measures brought to the company and. its business was not wholly due to the firm as at first constituted, but rather
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
to the energy and push of Mr. Olin Merrill, who had been brought into the concern in December, 1879, in the capacity of business manager. And it may be said here, and it is no fulsome compliment either, that from the time Olin Merrill became a partner in the firm the business has steadily increased, and it is doubtful whether the annual or monthly output of the company was ever so great as at the present time. Again, in 1881, the firm required additional assistance in its managing depart- ment, therefore Moses P. Perley, then traveling salesman for a Boston house, became an active partner in the business. In 1883 the B. J. Kendall Company was incorporated and subsequently organized, having a capital stock of $200,000, with Dr. Kendall as president; Carmi L. Marsh, vice-president ; Moses P. Perley, secretary ; and Olin Merrill, treasurer and business manager. The stock of the company was en- tirely owned by the officers. In 1884 Dr. Kendall resigned his position and moved away from the village, whereupon General Marsh was chosen president, the other officers remaining as formerly. But with the young and active business managers of the company Dr. Kendall could not agree; their methods, however successful they had been, were not his methods, and the result was his offer to sell to them his stock in the concern, which was accepted, upon which in September, 1889, the origi- nal proprietor of this famous cure retired from connection with its manu- facture and sale.
Previous to 1880 the manufacturing department of the firm was in a small, one-story frame building, but during the year named the firm erected the large and elegant three-story and mansard building which the company now owns and occupies. It stands fronting on Main street, in the north part of the village, surrounded by ample and well-ordered grounds. The building itself is quite attractive in appearance, and its exterior and interior alike are so arranged as to provide comfort and health to its occupants and the employees of the company. The ar- rangements for various branches of the work done inside are admir- able, each department having its own apartment, and all well lighted and ventilated ; in fact, everything is done "decently and in order." Much more might be said concerning the business and manufacture of the B. J. Kendall Company, but it could not be desirable or essential in this connection other than to state that, besides the enormous output of
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VILLAGES OF ENOSBURGH.
the spavin cure, the company also manufactures the celebrated " Dr. Flint's Condition Powders" and a preparation called "anti-aploplectine."
Daniel A. Harvey is the proprietor of a large business, and one that had its origin in 1882, when Mr. Harvey and H. D. Kendall became as- sociated in the manufacture of proprietary medicines, but of which busi- ness Mr. Harvey afterwards became sole proprietor. His manufactures, past and present, comprise Kendall's liver and kidney cure, Kendall's sarsaparilla and iron, elixir, cordial, pain cure, pills, soothing syrup, con- dition powders, and, lastly, superior healing oil, this being the leading product, and one that meets with a wide sale, for it is an article of much merit and deserved popularity.
The firm of Nathan A. Gilbert & Company (the partner being J. W. Beatty) was organized as a patent medicine company in 1886, as the outgrowth of a drug and medicine business formerly established by H. D. Kendall, and in which Mr. Gilbert became interested. The pres- ent firm of N. A. Gilbert & Company manufactures Scotch oil, lung bal- sam, and sarsaparilla bitters, and does a successful business.
Hamilton Kimball & Co., successors to the former firm of Hamilton, Best & Kimball, began business in the manufacture of proprietary medi- cines in 1888, although the business was in fact started in 1886 by the preceding firm. The present firm puts upon the market a number of the well-known Kendall preparations, and also a variety of extracts.
McAllister & Green are also one of the patent medicine firms of the village, having been formed in 1886. Their productions comprise Green's blood purifier and nerve tonic, cough elixir, condition powders, besides a silver polish and other products.
Allard & Burt is the firm name of another proprietary medicine con- cern, the chief manufacture of which is " black oil."
The Missisquoi Woolen-Mills is one of the substantial industries of the village at the present time, and stands on the site where Samuel Kendall originally built a carding-mill. The present mill is operated by M. A. Kent, of Boston, and superintended by C. A. Nichols. Here are manufactured gloves and mittens, giving employment to about thirty persons.
The Missisquoi Flouring-Mill was built in 1877, by Daniel B. Stet- son and Nathan A. Gilbert. The mill stands near the dam, on the east
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
side of the river ; a substantial building, well adapted for its use, having four " runs of stone," and equal in capacity to any industry of its kind in the region, excepting only those at Swanton. In 1883 Mr. Gilbert retired from the business, and was succeeded by General C. L. Marsh, the firm becoming Stetson & Marsh, a relation that has ever since been maintained. In connection with the milling business here done the firm has an extensive grain, flour, and feed store on Main street, near the railroad.
Alanson A. Kendall is the proprietor of a carriage and wagon shop, which is located near the end of the bridge at the falls. This plant was established in 1841, by Nathan Kendall, who managed it some twenty- eight years, and then sold to Frank Eldridge; later it went to Jere Leach, and finally to Alanson Kendall. Then the old and unprofitable so-called broom-socket shop went also to Mr. Kendall, and forms a part of his carriage works.
Lucius C. Kendall commenced the manufacture of carriages and lum- ber wagons about the year 1868. His factory stands on St. Albans street, near Main street, but is now used only for the manufacture of wagons, the carriage branch of the business having become unprofitable on account of the cheap product in that line by the factories of the large commercial cities. Still Mr. Kendall deals extensively in carriages and buggies in connection with his manufacturing business.
Allen H. Manley is the proprietor of the sash and door factory and planing-mill that stands below the bridge at the falls. In 1872 Mr. Manley bought the privilege there, and built the sash and door factory, in addition to the plant formerly there and known as the Sprague & Lawrence planing-mill. The present proprietor has materially increased the capacity of the mill, and made it the prosperous industry that it now is, using it in connection with his extensive business as contracting builder and carpenter.
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