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 76
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 76
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Parker, Charles S., was born in Elmore, Vt, April 18, 1850. His father, Charles S., a native of Barre, Vt., was born in 1820. He married Eliza, daughter of Seth Tanner, of Barre, and they had a family of five children, of whom Charles S. was the third. Charles S. was a successful farmer, and his sons were brought up to do farm work. He was educated in the common schools and in the Morrisville and Montpelier Acad- emies. In 1870 he came to Montgomery and engaged in teaching school. In 1872 he engaged as a clerk for L. W. Martin, and after being with him one year he started a general store in the village of Montgomery, where he has since conducted a fine trade. He is a Republican in politics, and has been postmaster of Montgomery village since 1882. He married Eliza, daughter of Samuel Head, of Montgomery Center, and they have had three children : Caley, born in 1875, died October 20, 1889; Howard, born in June, 1879; and Mabel, born in September, 1886.
Robb, John M., was born in Durham, P. Q., April 3, 1856. Andrew, his father, was a native of Montreal, Canada, and was born in 1825. He married Anna Brickly, of Durham, about 1850, and they had five children, of whom John M. was the second. John M. Robb came to Franklin county, Vt., in August, 1870. He worked on a farm and taught school in the town of Berkshire for six terms. In 1871 he came to Mont- gomery and was employed as clerk for Stiles & Dix at Montgomery Center. In 1883 he became a partner of this company under the firm name of William H. Stiles & Co , and in 1884 he opened a general store in Montgomery village, where he has since conducted a thriving business. He is what may be called a self-made man, having but a common school education and no capital to begin with. He is a Republican in politics and a member of Richford Lodge, No. 18, I. O. O. F. In November, 1878, he married Mary A., only daughter of B. F. Stiles, of Berkshire.
Smith, Horace H., was born in Berkshire, Vt., September 13, 1850. His father, Isaac H., moved with his family from Canada to Sampsonville, Vt., about 1850. In 1860 he moved to Montgomery Center and engaged in the manufacture of butter tubs, conducting a flourishing business until his death in 1870. Horace H. went to Canada about 1868 and engaged in mercantile business at Brome, P. Q. He married Cyntha, daughter of Thomas Chapman, of that place, in 1882, and they have had four children : Lena, Minnie, Horace, and Frederick. In 1888 Mr. Smith came to Montgomery and engaged in business with his brother, James E. They rebuilt the latter's mill, and com- menced the manufacture of bobbins for cotton-mills. The firm is known as J. E. Smith & Co., and is composed of the following gentlemen: James E. Smith, Horace H. Smith, Rev. George A. Smith, and J. T. Hughes. Mr. Hughes is an expert bobbin fin- isher, and joined the firm April 1, 1890. The capital stock is $100,000, and the firm owns 2,500 acres of heavy birch and maple timber. The lumber and clapboard-mill in connection with the bobbin factory is the best in Montgomery. Their mills are located at Black Falls, and they give employment to 125 hands. Rev. G. A. Smith, pastor of the Roger Williams Baptist church of Providence, R. I., is a silent partner in the firm
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of J. E. Smith & Co. Edward H. Smith, the eldest brother, was a pipe organ builder here, and while assisting at the erection of a smoke stack in Montgomery he was killed. Four sisters are living: Jennie, wife of Col. O. P. Patten, interested in the Fairbanks scales in Montreal, P. Q .; Adelia, wife of Augustus Rosa, an architect and builder, of Chicago, Ill., and Beatrice City, Neb .; Amelia, wife of Ira A. Smith, an architect and builder, of East Berkshire, Vt .; and Lilia, wife of W. O. Parker, for- merly of Montgomery, but now a resident of Billings, Montana. Sarah Clark, wife of the late Isaac H. Smith and mother of all these children, is still alive at the age of eighty-two. She resides with her son James.
Stiles, William H., a native of Enosburgh, was born June 21, 1823. His father, Sam- uel S., born in Chester. Vt., about 1795, married Hannah, daughter of Talma and Lydia Hendrick, of Enosburgh. William H., the first of ten children, was educated in the common and high schools of Enosburgh and earned his own living from an early age. In 1847 he came to Montgomery and started in a small way in the manufacture of but- ter tubs. September 25, 1849, he married Betsey, daughter of William and Mary Miller, of Enosburgh. Mr. Stiles was a member of the old Whig party in politics, and later of the Republican party. In 1858-59 he was sent to the state legislature, and in 1872-74 was senator from his district. He was elected assistant judge of the County Court in 1888, and from 1875 to 1888 was postmaster at Montgomery Center. For many years he has been actively engaged in the general mercantile trade at that place. His business career has been highly successful. Mr. and Mrs. Stiles had two children. The first, Annette, was born in Montgomery, October 28, 1850, and married S. N. Dix, of the same place, October 28, 1875. Mr. Dix is a general merchant. The second child, William M., also born in Montgomery, October 26, 1859, married May I. Ranney, of Pittsfield, Vt., June 30, 1885. He is a chemist in the employ of William Johnson & Co., of Mon- treal, P. Q.
RICHFORD.
Adams, Ransom W., born in Newport, Vt., January 16, 1850, is the son of Abiel A. and Irene (Gray) Adams, and of a family of fourteen children he was the youngest. The father was a mill owner and operator, and Ransom was generally found around the mill at work, so that he became a practical saw-mill man and competent to take full charge of the work of such an industry. In 1881 Mr. Adams purchased an interest in the mill of C. P. Stevens & Co. at the hamlet in the town of Richford which is called Stevens Mills. But even before becoming one of this firm he had worked at the place as foreman and manager. With his interest in the mill he also acquired a partnership in the mercantile business of the place. In 1870 Mr. Adams married Abbie L., a daugh- ter of Welby Hammond, of Newport. They have had three children. Although by no means a politician Mr. Adams has taken an interest in the affairs of Richford. In 1888-89 he was one of the board of selectmen, and under the Cleveland administration he was appointed postmaster at Stevens Mills, an office he has since held. In politics he is a Republican.
Ayer, Harlow C., the younger of two children born to William and Sarah (Chadwick) Ayer, was born in the town of Berkshire on October 20, 1852, where he remained with his parents until he finished school. He entered the employ of a produce commission house in Boston in 1872. After returning to his native town in 1875 he was united in marriage to Alma C., daughter of Calvin Hammond, of Franklin, Vt., and they have a family of three children. After his marriage he became interested in agricultural pur- suits, which he followed until 1885, when he removed to Richford, Vt., and became en- gaged in manufacturing and in the hardware trade, which he has since successfully fol- lowed. In 1890 the firm of H. R. Ayer & Co. was formed, and Mr. Ayer became one of the partners. He has always been identified with town improvements, and was one of the projectors and commissioners that built the water works of the town, which is
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
one of the best in New England. He is connected with the National Guard of the state. and has always taken great interest in military affairs. Since 1868 he has been first a member of the Third Regiment, then transferred to the Second in 1871, and was mus- tered out in 1872. He was elected first lieutenant of the Second Separate Company in May, 1887, and succeeded Captain Brown in January, 1890, as captain of Company M, First Regiment, which position he now holds.
Ayer, Horace R., born in the town of Berkshire, May 21, 1846, was the eldest of two children of William J. and Sarah (Chadwick) Ayer. William Ayer will be remembered by residents of Richford and Berkshire as one of the most energetic and prosperous farmers of the latter town. His labors acquired a comfortable fortune, which de- scends to his sons, Horace and Harlow. William J. and Sarah Ayer both died during the year 1889. Horace was reared on his father's farm, and continued his residence in Berkshire until some seven years ago, when he moved to Richford village and engaged in the business of supplying the Central Vermont Railroad with wood, and with which he is still connected. In 1884 he built what is known as the Opera House Rink, the largest and most comfortable place for public assemblages in Richford. In March, 1890, the firm of H. R. Ayer & Co. was formed for the purpose of the manufacture and sale of Sabin's Beeswax Oil Polish, a recent invention and one that promises well to those en -. gaged in its production. October 31, 1866, Horace R. Ayer married Hattie A., daugh- ter of Hubbard Chamberlain, of Sheldon, and of this marriage three children have been born, all of whom are living.
Boright, Sheldon, the fourth of eight children of Henry and Triphosa Jane (Sheldon) Boright, was born in Frelighsburgh, P. Q., April 29, 1832. His father was a farmer, and on the farm Sheldon remained until he reached the age of eighteen, when he went to Providence, R. I., with a brother, where he worked in a store. About two years later he returned to Canada and engaged in the mercantile business with Nelson Boright and two other brothers, in which business he continued until 1869, when he sold out his in- terest and came to reside in Richford. Here he established a general store. He has also been engaged in various other business enterprises. In the spring of 1890 he built and started a creamery in Richmond, but the immediate charge of this business is entrusted to his son, Clinton M. Boright. In all his various enterprises, especially during later years, Mr. Boright has had a valuable assistant in the person of his wife, Rachel R. (Ruthe- ford) Boright, the daughter of Major Rutheford, of Monkton, Vt., whom he married March 19, 1862. Five children have been born to them, of whom four are living, viz .: ยท Ethel L., Clinton M., Eva E., and Sheldon R. Mrs. Rachel R. Boright has been an earnest worker in the temperance cause, particularly in the organization of a juvenile temperance society, which now numbers some eighty members. She is also a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Sunday-school.
Combs, Reuben, a native of Richford, was born March 27, 1829. His parents were Caleb and Abigail (Cross) Combs, and they had a family of ten children, of whom Reuben was next to the oldest. Caleb Combs was one of the most progressive farmers of Rich- ford and a man highly esteemed in the town. He left to his children a good inherit- ance. Reuben was brought up to farm work, and has always been engaged in that occu- pation. He inherited many of his father's characteristics, and is known and acknowl- edged as one of the prominent men of the town. He is a firm Republican and has been frequently honored with town office. In 1884 he represented the town in the state legislature ; in 1879 and 1880 he was one of the selectmen; was lister for fourteen of the last twenty-seven years ; and has been justice of the peace. Mr. Combs has been twice married, his first wife, whom he married in 1851, being Harriet M. Farrar, and by her he had three children, two of whom are living. Harriet (Farrar) Combs died in February, 1879. His second wife, whom he married in March, 1880, was Alice (Stow) Woods, widow of Eugen Woods, of Williston, Chittenden county. The farm on which Reuben now resides comprises 350 acres, and is situated in South Richford.
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Corliss, Lorenzo D., a man well known and highly respected in Richford, was a native of the town, being born in 1818, the sixth child of Ephrain and Abigail (Goff) Corliss. At the age of about twenty-three years young Corliss commenced life for himself by purchasing and improving a tract of land in the eastern part of the town. Some sixteen years ago, having acquired a competency, Mr. Corliss retired from the farm and came to reside in Richford village. Subsequently, however, he again lived on the farm for a brief time. In 1843 he married Mary, a sister of Judge Silas P. Carpenter and a daughter of Jonathan Carpenter, of Richford. No children have been born to them, but they have adopted a daughter, Mary, the wife of Edgar G. Garvin. Aboue the time of the war Mr. Corliss was town representative from Richford. He has also served as town lister, and now is and has been for many years overseer of the poor.
Corliss, William, was born in Richford eighty years ago, or on December 7, 1810, the third of twelve children of Ephraim and Abigail (Goff) Corliss. Both the surnames Corliss and Goff stand for pioneership and respectability in Richford. Ephraim Corliss was a farmer, and on the farm William lived and worked until twenty years of age, when he hired out by the month for some two or three years. He married and soon afterwards purchased a small farm of 105 acres in the north part of the town, on which he lived until 1858, when he bought his present large farm, but still owns the old place. In 1833 Mr. Corliss married Louisa A., daughter of Jonathan Carpenter, by whom he had three children, only one of whom, Mrs. Mary Goff, is living. Mr. Corliss com- menced his business life with a debt of $4 for a pair of boots and $6 for a coat. He has been active in town as well as in personal affairs, having three times represented Rich- ford in the General Assembly. He has also been selectman, lister, appraiser of real estate, and held other offices of responsibility.
Dailey, John S., was descended from Revolutionary stock. His grandfather served during that war and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. His father was a volun- teer substitute during the War of 1812. John S Dailey was born at Barnet in 1822, the youngest but one of six children of David and Fanny Dailey. Young Dailey lived with his parents on the farm, but soon after becoming of age he went to Massachusetts, and after about five years returned, remaining at home for some eight years. In 1855 he went to California and remained two years, returning in the fall of 1856. He next went to St. Johnsbury, and some two years later went on the railroad as express mes- senger. During the later years of their lives Mr. Dailey cared for his aged parents until their deaths-the fatlier in 1861 and the mother in 1870. In 1871 he came to Richford and started in trade. In 1857 he married Mahala D., daughter of James Gib- son, of Canada, by whom he had one child, who died in infancy. In politics he is a Republican, and as such represented the town of Richford in 1884. He has also held several other town offices, and has several times declined offered positions on account of business interests.
Garvin, Edgar G., the enterprising druggist of Richford, was a native of Enosburgh, and was born at that place April 6, 1846. His father, Samuel S. Garvin, was a minister of the Second Advent church, and his mother was Betsey (Stetson) Garvin, and of their three children he was the eldest. The father had charge of several Advent churches in this locality. Some nine or ten years ago he removed to Fort Worth, Texas, with part of his family, where he still resides. When old enough Edgar G. Garvin began work at mechanical employments, and later became clerk, serving as such in various localities in Franklin, Chittenden, and Caledonia counties. In 1885 he established a drug store in Richford. He married Sarah A., daughter by adoption of Lorenzo and Mary (Carpen- ter) Corliss, and to them have been born three children. In politics Mr. Garvin is a Re- publican. He has never held or asked for political office.
Gibson, George W., born in Canada, September 1, 1834, is the son of James and La- mira (Arms) Gibson, being the second of their ten children. He lived with his parents on the farm until about seventeen, when he moved to Hanover, N. H., where he learned the jeweler's trade. Coming to Richford in 1859 as a journeyman jeweler he was in-
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duced to "set up a business" in the store of George W. Arms, from which small be- ginning has grown his present fine business. May 15, 1858, he married Jane E. Shep- ard, of St. Armand, P. Q, and of this marriage thirteen children have been born, eight of whom are living. In politics Mr. Gibson is a Republican, having been selectman and justice of the peace for thirteen years.
Hamilton, Nathan F., fiftli of the eight children born to Hannibal C. and Julia E. (Thompson) Hamilton, was born in Berkshire, November 16, 1845. Hannibal C. Ham- ilton was a farmer. At the age of fourteen Nathan F. began work at the carpenter's trade, but at sixteen he enlisted as drummer boy in Company F, Tenth Vermont Vol- unteers, and served about two and a half years, until the close of the war. He then commenced the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. J. H. Hamilton, which he dis- continued after a year, and took up the study of dentistry under the direction of an- other brother, Merrill T. Hamilton, of Newport, Vt. Nathan F. Hamilton has prac- ticed dentistry in Richford for about sixteen years, and is one of the leading surgeon dentists of Northern Vermont. In 1869 he married Nettie C., daughter of Alvin Goff, of Richford, and of this marriage two sons, Claire G. and Percy Goff, have been born. Mr. Hamilton is a Republican in politics, and has been justice of the peace for several years.
Heath, Henry R., the present (1890) capable and efficient selectman of the town of Richford, was born in that town February 14, 1845, the son of Elisha and Mary (Noyes) Heath, and of their eight children the youngest but two. Elisha Heath, son of the pio- neer, Samuel Heath, was the first town clerk of Richford. Henry R. Heath has always lived on the farm, and now owns and occupies the old Mark Bannister place, compris- ing seventy-five acres of land. During the war he enlisted as a private in Company G, Thirteenth Vermont Volunteers, and served in all about thirteen months, first with the nine months' men and then re-enlisted in the one year's service. In 1872 Mr. Heath married Cleora, daughter of Stephani Smith, of Richford. They have had one daughter. Mr, Heath served as town representative in the state legislature in 1890-91.
Marcy, David, known as a thrifty and enterprising farmer, came to reside in Rich- ford in 1880. He was a native of Montgomery, a son of Russell S. and Nancy (Fair- banks) Marcy, and the youngest but one of their seven children. His father, Russell S. Marcy, was born in Stockbridge, Mass., in 1800, and his mother, Nancy Marcy, was born in Keene, N. H., in 1804. The father died in 1884, at the age of eighty-four years, and the mother in 1884, at the age of eighty years. David Marcy when about nineteen years old went to Massachusetts and worked there until July, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company H, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, with which he served throughout the war, and was present at the surrender at Appomattox. He has in his possession a piece of the famous apple tree, which is a cherished souvenir. Comrade Marcy was mustered out of service July 5, 1865, and returned to Richford, January 1, 1867. He married Zippi, daughter of Bethuel Stone, of Eden, Lamoille county, by whom he had one child, Russie Marcy. She died in October, 1872, and March 6, 1875, Mr. Marcy married Lorri I., adopted daughter of Morris Hendricks. Mr. Marcy is an extensive farmer, his lands in Richford comprising 180 acres. He has a sugar orchard of some 1,600 trees, from which he makes annually over 6,500 pounds of maple sugar.
Mills, Leonard M., a descendant of Vermont ancestors, was born in Sutton, P. Q., April 25, 1843, the second of eight children born to Reuben and Ruth Mills. The older residents of Richford will remember when Reuben Mills had charge of the grist-mill there, but it is not generally known that the grandfather of our subject, Moses Mills, hewed the timber used in the construction of the original mill on the site in 1797. Leonard M. Mills was brought up to the trade of his father, and at the age of twenty-four years went to Wisconsin, where he became engaged in this business, and remained six years. In 1872 he came to Richford and purchased the William Goff grist-mill, which
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he has since owned and operated. In 1886 the structure was substantially rebuilt and it is now known as one of the best feed and grist-mills in the county. He has been asked to accept office, but has always declined. In 1882 Mr. Mills married Ruth, daughter of Ephraim Hawley, of which marriage one child, a daughter, has been born.
Mitchell, Frederick W., the well known druggist and proprietary medicine manufact- urer of Richford, was born of Irish parents at St. Armand, P. Q., July 11, 1859. His father was William and his mother was Margaret Mitchell, and of their five children Frederick W. was the youngest. He remained on his father's farm until his fifteenth year, when he went to East Berkshire and entered the employ of W. S. Rublee. Later he was clerk in the store of Richard Smith, of Richford. About 1879 young Mitchell started a drug store in East Berkshire, which he continued for about five years, when he sold out and came again to Richford, purchasing the store of his former employer, Richard Smith. In 1890 the Richford Chemical Company was incorporated and Mr. Mitchell was chosen its president. June 7, 1879, Mr. Mitchell married Ella E., daugh- ter of O. J. Smith, of Richford. Of this marriage four children have been born, of whom three are living.
Noyes, James, a pioneer of Richford, came with his family to that town in 1806. His children were Joseph, Henry, Mary, Nathaniel, Rufus, and Phebe, and of these only Mary, now the widow of Elijah Heath, is living. Joseph Noyes, the oldest son, married Philenda Carpenter, and by her had six children, as follows : Amos M., Lucius Y., Harvey L., L. Marvin, and Homer B. and Heman A. (twins). Amos M. Noyes was born in Richford, April 21, 1827. He was reared on the farm and his subsequent life has been devoted to this pursuit. Mr. Noyes has been twice married. His first wife, whom he wedded in 1860, was Mary Ann, a daughter of M. T. Reed, of Enosburgh, and by her he had two children, Flora and Laura. His second wife was Alida A., the daughter of Na- thaniel Sears, widow of Lucius Y. Noyes, and by her he had four children : George S., Coralyn, Mabel, and Mary. Mr. Noyes has also been interested in the mill business, he and his father having built in 1855 the saw-mill that now stands on Amos's farm, and is what is known as the upright mill, having power from the stream leading from Hard- wood Hill Pond.
Powell, Charles A., son of Herman and Julia (White) Powell, was born in Richford, May 16, 1843. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Tenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, where he served as private for nearly two years, when he was made second lieutenant of Company F, Tenth U. S. Colored troops, and subsequently was promoted to the cap- taincy of the same company. After spending several years in farming Mr. Powell went to Massachusetts, at the place formerly East Medway, where he managed a fancy stock farm for three years. He then returned to Richford and became a member of the firm of I. J. Sweat & Co., jobbing builders, manufacturers, etc., and about the same time he became interested in mercantile pursuits, being now senior partner in the firm of Powell & Comings, dealers in general hardware. Charles A. Powell married, Feb- ruary 6, 1867, Mornilva, daughter of Lucas Kingsbury, of Fairfax, of which marriage two children have been born. Mr. Powell is a Republican in politics.
Powell, John N., born in Richford, December 31, 1850, is the son of George N. and Mary (Barrows) Powell. George N. was three times married, his second wife being Mary Barrows, by whom he had two children, Mrs. Rose Kellogg, of Boston, and John N. He was a wheelwright and farmer, and moved from Richford to Eden, Lamoille county, nearly a score of years ago. John N. Powell lived with his uncle, Calvin P. Dwyer, till his death in 1867, when the charge of the property fell on him. After his uncle's death he obtained a clerkship in the store of another uncle, James G. Powell, and subsequently became his partner, a relation that was maintained for some years. In 1881 Mr. Powell built the substantial brick building he now occupies, and started in trade on his own account, his stock being general merchandise. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been frequently honored with his party's nominations. In village
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
affairs he was one of the trustees for 1889, 1890, and 1891, and has been justice of the peace for two years. September 19, 1871, Mr. Powell married Alice I., daughter of James M. Thayer, of Berkshire, and they have had two children, one of whom, J. Ber- nice Powell, is living.
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