USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Ludlow > History of Ludlow, Vermont > Part 16
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eral years at about forty cents per pound for domestic wool, and so continued until the Wilson tariff law was introduced and took effect in 1894 which practically un- locked and opened our gates free to the markets of the world. This foolish act on the part of the American people brought all the wool producers of the world into free and unlimited competition with our own producers. The con- sequence is, that wool again sold at ten and twelve cents per pound and our farmers got no profit from this industry. Many woolen mills in this country stood idle and thousands of people were out of work, and all for the want of pro- tection to the American producer and manufacturer. The difference in the political views of the two chief parties, bring on many hardships to the people of the nation. The Republican party, when in power, work for protection, and build barriers against other nations, while the Dem- ocratic party work to destroy the fruits of the labors of their rivals in power, and open our markets free to the rest of the world, or at least to those countries where the fundamental principal of Democracy first originated in the form of Toryism. The above may seem to some as being out of the line of a town history, but as Ludlow has her members of both parties, they have helped lay the found- ation of the above principles.
MAPLE SUGAR
It is said that the Indians were the first race of mankind to discover that sugar could be manufactured from maple sap. Having no smooth cutting tools with which to tap trees, they would dig up a small root of the maple break off the end of the root, and from this the sap would flow freely. They manufactured sap pails of white birch bark. These were made funnel shaped, the bottom being bent up and pinned with a thorn. The sap was boiled into syrup in pails of green bark, swinging high enough above the fire to be beyond the reach of the flames. When the Pil- grims came, they made improvement on these methods, and tapped the trees with an axe by cutting a small notch
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in the tree, at a sharp angle. A chip or shingle was then placed at the base of the notch, and by this the sap was conducted into wooden troughs made from small bass wood or pine logs eight or ten inches in diameter, and about three feet long. These were split in halves, and dug out with an adze. They were bungling vessels, but remained in use until about 1840, when wooden buckets were used. About 1850 tin sap buckets were used somewhat, but they were so expensive that but few farmers could afford to use them. Since the opening up of the American tin mines, tin has nearly superceeded wood for sap buckets, and many of them are manufactured with covers.
In olden times it was thought that maple trees must be tapped with one or one and a half inch augers to get the sap from the trees. The size of the tapping bit has been gradually reduced in size, and it is now proved that the maple will give up its store of sap as freely and quickly if tapped with a quarter inch bit as when tapped with the old fashioned auger, and the injury to the tree from ad- mitting air to the fibre of the wood is much less.
The white men at first boiled the sap in large cast-iron kettles hung in the woods. These gave way to sheet iron sugaring pans, set upon arches as they were called. These were used for many years, the next improvement being the use of galvanized iron for the manufacture of the pans, and the use of heaters. These last were constructed with deep pockets or divisions in which the sap was quickly heated to the boiling point, and so rose to spouts by which it run into the pans. These methods have nearly all been superceeded by improved evaporators, and the quality of the sugar has been very much improved. By the old method of sugaring the product averaged from sixty to sixty-five percent of pure sugar, the remaining thirty-five of forty percent being made up of boiled leaves, cinders, ashes, etc. By the im- proved methods the sugar scales from ninety-five to ninety- eight per cent pure.
Maple sugar was about all the sweetening the pioneers of Ludlow had to use, with the exception perhaps of a few gallons each year of black West India molasses. The granulated and pulverized white sugar of the present time were unknown to them.
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BUSINESS MEN
Adams Warren, son of Peter and Lucy (Gibson) Adams, was born in Andover, Vt., August 28, 1815. He attended only the common schools of his native town. He married Lucy Coleman, June 27, 1837. There were four children by this marriage. Lowell P., Lucy Jane, Lizzie and Norris who died young.
Mr. Adams engaged in the mercantile business on East Hill in Andover. At that time he ran teams to Boston, load- ing them for the city with farm products, and for the re- turn trip with merchandise. In 1840 he moved to Ludlow, where he bought and handled real estate quite extensively, and built several buildings in the village. He owned and conducted the Ludlow House for several years, and was a most efficient and hospitable landlord, much liked by the travelling public. Mr. Adams also traded extensively in cattle. He died October 28, 1875
Agan, Frank W. son of John and Amanta (Hendry) Agan, was born in Plymouth, Vt., December 18, 1868. He attended the common schools and Black River Academy. June 10, 1896, he married Cora A. daughter of the late Maj. Darius Safford of Morrisville, Vt. She died Aug. 26, 1899. She was a lady of unusual gifts and beloved by all who knew her. In 1897, Mr. Agan commenced the manu- facture of shoddy, the first industry of the kind ever estab- lished in Ludlow. On June 28, 1909 he married Maria Fos- ter of Shawomet Beach, R. I. He died on May 13, 1934.
Archibald, James J., son of John J. and Addie Arch- ibald, was born Dec. 15, 1878, at Hinsdale, N. H. He grad- uated from high school, married Mae Coleman Sept. 30, 1901, and has three children; Kenneth R., born in June 1902. Ruth M., born June 7, 1904, Frances E., born March 22, 1907.
Mr. Archibald was in the clothing business for over thirty years. In August, 1909, he purchased the Hammond Block, and built his home in 1927.
Armington, George L., son of Samuel L. Armington, was born in Ludlow, April 2, 1838. He graduated from Black River Academy in 1855, and in 1863, married Anna Kim- ball of Townsend, Vt. They had four children, Winnie,
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Jessie, Gertrude and May. Mr. Armington was engeged in the mercantile business in Ludlow from his majority. Dur- ing his long business career, he never held any town office, and contrary to the custom of most of the merchants, was
George L. Armington
never in New York City. He was a man of more than or- dinary intelligence and ability, but believed that there was neither honor nor pleasure in holding public office. He died October 13, 1914.
Barrett, John son of Levi Barrett, was born in Hartland, Vt., Jan 28, 1836. He came to Ludlow in January, 1845, and worked on a farm till he was twenty-one years of age. He then went to Illinois, where he remained three years, then returned to Burlington, where he engaged in the clothing business for a year. In March 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. I, second regiment of Vt. volunteer infantry. He served three years and was discharged in April 1865, when he returned to Ludlow, Jan. 23, 1866, he married Martha P. Simonds, and the same year opened
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a restaurant on Main street where the Sherman block stands, and was there four years. He then went into the crockery and grocery business, in which he was engaged for many years. He had one child, Edna J., who was born
John Barrett
Apr. 3, 1874. Mrs. Barrett died Apr. 11, 1918, and Mr. Barrett Sept. 25, 1925.
Ballard, John F. son of Darwin Ballard, was born in North Dorset, Sept. 6, 1862. He attended the common schools of his native town, and Black River Academy. Oct. 25, 1893, he married Addie Hammond of Ludlow. He en- tered the boot and shoe business, Apr. 7, 1896. He died Jan. 23, 1940.
Ball, William D., eldest son of Henry W. and Mary (Dun- ham) Ball, was born in Dorchester, Mass., Aug. 28, 1843. He learned the tanner's and currier's trade of his father. He attended the local schools and Weston Academy.
Mr. Ball followed his trade till Oct. 23, 1862, when he enlisted from Weston, Vt., into Co. C., Sixteenth Vt. reg-
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iment. He was promoted to a corporal's rank and was mus- tered out of the service, Aug. 10, 1863. He re-enlisted from Londonderry Mar. 7, 1865, for three years but was dis- charged May 12, 1865, peace being proclaimed. Mr. Ball
William D. Ball
then attended Langley's Commercial College at Rutland, Vt., and after completing his course of studies, entered the employ of Robbins & Marsh at Chester, Vt., and remained there five years. He then engaged in business in Bellows Falls, Vt. He came to Ludlow in 1871, and engaged in the hardware trade for several years. Later he was in the sleigh, carriage and wagon business.
Mr. Ball married for his first wife, Agnes J. White, of Weston, who died in 1876. He married for his second wife, Eva E. Dorval of Ludlow. Three children have been born to them of which two died young. The surviving child, Allen D. was born July 22, 1882. Mr. Ball held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years. He died on Oct. 26, 1912.
Bridges, George S., son of John Bridges, was born in
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Bridgewater, Vt., July 19, 1844. He attended only the com- mon schools. He served his country in the war of the Re- bellion. In July 1863, he married Hattie Tilden of Bridge- water, Vt., and had one child by this marriage, May, who was born Apr. 30, 1865. He married Ellen M. Washburn of Woodstock, Vt., on March 8, 1866. By this marriage, a daughter Lena was born, July 5, 1870. She married Dr.
Henry T. Brown
H. L. Stickney, of Springfield, Vt. Mr. Bridges came to Ludlow in 1883 and opened a restaurant and small grocery which he carried on several years. He died on October 17, 1922.
Brown, Henry T. son of James S. Brown, was born in Plymouth, Vt., July 14, 1868. He attended the common schools of that town, and Black River Academy. May 21, 1890, he married Anna M. Gould of Ludlow, and has one child, Rae Marguerite, born Sept. 28, 1895. For many years he was in the hardware business under the name of Howard & Brown. Since his retirement he has spent his winters in Florida.
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Bryant, William N. M. D. was born in Weston, Vt., in 1851. After attending the common schools, he entered the Vermont Methodist Seminary, at Montpelier, one of its first students. While there he began the study of medicine with Dr. D. G. Kemp. Later he entered Harvard Medical School, but finished his course in the medical department of the University of Vermont. Immediately after gradu- ating in 1873, he located his practice in medicine in North- field, Vt. In the fall of 1879, he removed to Chester, Vt., where he administered relief to the sick and suffering for eight years. In 1887, he came to Ludlow, where he had a large practice. He was married in 1871, to Miss Angelia Holbrook of Lemington, Vt. They had two children, Eva May, wife of Eben J. Fullam, and William LeRoy who died April 25, 1931.
Dr. Bryant was a Mason, a member of the Independant Order of Odd Fellows, and also a member of several med- ical societies. He was a most entertaining public speaker, and his skill and earnestness in his profession made him a physician of wide repute. He was a member of the state board of health many years. He was beloved by the towns- people. He died July 10, 1929.
Cooledge, Daniel F. M. D., was born in Plymouth, Vt. December 23, 1839.
He was a volunteer in the Civil War, was wounded, and taken prisoner to Libby Prison. After his exchange to a northern hospital, he was discharged from the army because of the wound.
Upon completion of his studies in the University of Ver- mont and Bellevue Medical, New York, he opened an office in Ludlow. He was respected by his colleagues for skill in diagnosis. After some years, ill health compelled him to give up active practice, his work then being confined to the drug store on Main street. This store continued under his name for about seventy-five years.
Dr. Cooledge was active in the Congregational Church, and was greatly esteemed by all who knew him for his in- tegrity of character. He died Sept. 17, 1911.
Sept. 4, 1866, he married Viola A. Marsh of Plymouth. They had two sons, Bernard and Leon and three daughters, Ethel, Mary and Christel.
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Mrs. Cooledge assisted in the drug store and was the first woman pharmacist registered in the State of Vermont. After her husband's death until her own death on June 6, 1934, she was manager of the store.
Davies, Rees W., son of Griffith R. and Jane Williams Davies, was born in Middle Granville, N. Y., Sept. 16, 1865. His parents came to this country from Caernarfonshire, Wales, in 1857 and settled in Middle Granville, where they resided for the remainder of their lives.
Mr. Davies attended the village school until twelve years of age, then worked in the slate quarries. Later, he attended the village school two winters, resuming the quarry duties in the summer. Attendance at the Packard School, N. Y. City for nearly a year, completed his school days.
In December 1890, he entered the National Bank of Granville, as an apprentice, and for the next four months received instruction from that excellant and successful banker, President D. D. Woodard. April 1891, found him in Kansas City, Mo. with the Guarantee Loan and Trust Co., and later, at the First National Bank, Downs, Kansas, both of which institutions were established and managed by Mr. John Hall, Fort Ann, N. Y.
Early in 1893, Mr. Davies returned east, and soon after- ward, was called to Ludlow to become Treasurer of the Ludlow Savings Bank & Trust Co., then in process of or- ganization. He also became a Director of the Institution, succeeding the late Hon. Henry A. Fletcher. He was a mem- ber of the M. E. church, Black River Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Ludlow.
September 16, 1899, he was married to Edna Fletcher, daughter of Hazen Fletcher, and Rena Warren Fletcher, of Ludlow, and had two children, Rachel Fletcher, born June 29, 1902, and Griffith Richard, born March 31, 1905.
Dennett, John Alonzo, son of John Dennett, was born in Ludlow, Jan. 9, 1841, and married Sarah Elizabeth Buck of Pittsford, Vt., Nov. 7, 1867. They had one daughter, Ada Amanda, born Oct. 8, 1870. Mr. Dennett attended the dis- trict schools of the village and Black River Academy. In 1858 he entered the store of L. G. Hammond as clerk, and remained there seven and one half years. He then engaged
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as a commercial traveler for Glazier, Masean & Co. of Boston, Mass. This occupation he followed for three and a half years, and then, in partnership with Martin H. Tay- lor opened a dry goods store in Ludlow, in 1869, and re- mained in this till 1877. At this time he purchased his part- ner's interest in the business and continued alone until 1900, when he retired from business. He became one of Ludlow's most popular merchants. He died Dec. 28, 1904.
Eben C. Ford
Ford, Eben C. son of Warren L. Ford, was born at Gran- ville, Vt., Dec. 11, 1861. He attended the common schools of that town, and the agricultural school at Dartmouth College for one year. He married Mattie D. Russell of Cav- endish Vt., Jan. 13, 1887 and had two children. Harold, born July 7, 1889, and Russell, born July 4, 1897. Mr. Ford came to Ludlow Apr. 3, 1881, and entered the employ- ment of John A. Dennett, with whom he remained fifteen years. He commenced business for himself Apr. 1, 1896.
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He had a very successful dry goods store for several years. He died August 27, 1948.
Fullam, Leighton G. son of Granville Fullam was born in Ludlow, Oct. 5, 1841. He married Addie Slack of Ply- mouth, Vt., March 15, 1865 and had three sons; Ernest L. born May 7, 1867, Herman G., born Oct. 28, 1868, and
Leighton G. Fullam
Eben J. born March 20, 1871. Mr. Fullam attended common schools in town, and Black River Academy. He held several town offices and had good business capabilities. His chair manufacturing business is described in another part of the history. Mr. Fullam died on May 10, 1926.
Fullam, Sewell, son of Sewell and Mehitable (Harris) Fullam, was born in Cavendish, Vt., Apr. 7, 1799. His early life was spent in his native town, and in Reading, Vt. He had the advantages of only the common schools, and at an early age, learned the carpenter's trade. In this occupation, he proved himself a fine workman for those early days. Having a great fondness for books, and being possessed of a good memory he read much, and there-
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by gained a practical education which was a great advan- tage to him in his after life. He borrowed law books of Judge Reuben Washburn, and laid the foundation of his legal education, and soon became a great debater. Apr. 16, 1828, he removed to Ludlow, where he worked at his trade devoting part of his time to legal business until 1836, when he was admitted to the Windsor county bar, and followed his profession until his death Nov. 26, 1876. Mr. Fullam married Eunice Howe Goddard of Reading, Vt., Nov. 17, 1825, by which marriage there were five children; Elizabeth G., wife of E. J. Whitcomb of Ludlow, Candace L., who married Rev. J. O. Skinner, a Universalist minister, Volney S. who followed his father's profession with marked ability, Benoni B., and Eunice Victoria, wife of Marcus A. Spaulding.
Gill, James Seel, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Seel Gill, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, Nov. 26, 1828. He was the eldest child in a family of six sons. His father was a man of wealth, his business being that of master dyer, but, in consequence of the financial panic of 1837, he, like thousands of others in this and other countries, lost his property, and in 1844, he removed with his family to the United States, settling in Northampton, Mass.
James S. attended a private school in England. About three years after his father's failure, he commenced to learn the dyer's trade and at the age of seventeen, took charge of the dye-house at the Thomas Bottomly Mills at Leicester, Mass. He was afterward employed by James Roy & Co., of West Troy, N.Y.C. L. Harding & Co., of Oxford, Mass., and Edward Harris of Woonsocket, R I. On account of his health, he then engaged in mercantile business in Leicester and Holliston, Mass. In this and other enterprises he continued until 1863, when he again engaged with C. L. Harding & Co., who were at that time running the Burlington Woolen mills at Winooski, Vt.
In 1868, he became interested in the Ludlow Woolen Mills, and was connected with these works for thirty years. In 1849, he married Miss Rachel Wood. There were no children to continue their name. They had an adopted daughter, Florence Harding and at her death they gave the library in her memory at the Congregational church.
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Mr. Gill was a man of great business capabilities, and his business in Ludlow did much to bring prosperity to the town. Both he and Mrs. Gill were liveral donors to worthy objects, they gave the Odd Fellows Home to the town. Mr. Gill died Mar. 14, 1900, at East Cambridge, Mass.
Gill, James S. was born in Ludlow, May 27 1876. He was the son of Samuel and Hannah Gill. He attended the public schools and Black River Academy, graduating in 1894. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later attended the Philadelphia Textile school. He was connected with the Ludlow Woolen Mills and organized the Jewell Brook Mill in 1906, of which he was a successful manager for over 39 years. Besides managing this he was president of the Verdmont Woolen Mills, Inc. in Ludlow and the Medway Mills, Inc., of West Medway, Mass. Mr. Gill was interested in the youth of the town and gave generously to their projects. He served on the committee when the new school was built and gave generously to the work. The assembly room was named in his honor.
He was an accomplished musician and was a member of the Ludlow band for years. He was a village trustee and a member of Black River Lodge, F and A. M. In 1940, he married Catherine Hughes of Texas. He died suddenly June 23, 1945.
Goddard, Martin H. son of Henry W. and Lucina (Babbit) Goddard, was born in Londonderry, Vt., Feb. 26, 1844. He spent his early life on his father's farm, and attended the common schools of his native town. He entered Black River Academy in 1863, graduating in 1867. While attend- ing school, he studied law with Hon. Wm. H. Walker, and was admitted to the Windsor county bar in 1869. He fol- lowed his profession till his death, Mar. 14, 1891. He was successful not only in his profession, in which he was one of the foremost men of his time.
Mr. Goddard was married July 1, 1868 to Emma Wilder of Ludlow, and by this marriage had one son, Rev. Harry M. Goddard. Mrs. Goddard died Jan. 15, 1884, and Mr. Goddard was again married to Agnes A. Henderson of
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Salisbury, Vt., July 24, 1884. By this marriage there were three children, Emma A., Agnes B. and Silas C.
Goddard, Ira son of Henry W. and Lucina Babbitt God- dard was born in Londonderry, Vt. about 1848. He was a brother of Martin H. Goddard. His early life was spent on his father's farm and he attended the public schools. He married Sarah Farnham of Jamacia, Vt. in 1871. After which he bought a farm and took care of his grand-parents. There were two sons, Percy N. and Harry E.
He lived several years in Benson, Vt., where he ran a stage route to Fair Haven, Vt. He came to Ludlow about 1879 where he conducted a very successful job teaming line. With his Herculean frame he became a local land- mark.
He was appointed Post-master under President Cleve- land in 1887, and was assisted in the office by his son Per- cey. He was one of the village trustees. Mr. Goddard and his family were members of the Congregational church.
Goddard, Charles W. was born in Reading, Vt. on June
Charles W. Goddard
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13, 1858. At fifteen years of age he left home and began his mercantile career in Chester. After several years he started a meat and mercantile business in Proctorsville. Later he went to Pennsylvania and engaged in cheese and commission business. In 1879 he came to Ludlow and en- tered the meat business.
Lowell G. Hammond
He branched out into the livery business which he carried on successfully for fifteen years. At one time he conducted the stables at both hotels and one at Tyson. In the 90's he built the Riverside hotel.
He became an extensive cattle dealer, buying them in Canada and shipping by carload to Vermont. He became widely known. He also shipped horses mostly from Boston. At one time he had his meat business in the basement of the Riverside hotel. He held town offices. He died in Sept. 9, 1919.
Hammond, Lowell G., son of Jedediah Hammond, was born in Mount Holly, Feb. 17, 1824. He attended only the district schools of his native town. Aug: 19, 1847, he mar-
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ried Mariette Guernsey of Shrewsbury. They had three children, Leonora M., born June 13, 1850, Norris G. born Feb. 14, 1858, and Addie W. born May 17, 1860.
Mr. Hammond came to Ludlow in 1847, and opened a store in the basement of the brick house near Vail's gar- age. In 1849, he removed his business to the basement of the block on the corner of Main and Depot street now known as the Gill block, and remained there until Apr. 1, 1850, when he bought out the store and business of D. L. Greene and Horace Adams. The store stood on the site of the present Hammond block, and was burned May 8, 1871. He then built the present block. For more than half a century, Mr. Hammond followed the grocery and dry goods business in Ludlow, keeping steadily on with his calling while more than seven-eighths of the population passed on from this life. He died May 6, 1901.
Hathorn, Col. Ransom E. son of Eleazer Hathorn was born in Londonderry, Vt., on Nov. 3, 1843. He was working
Ransom E. Hathorn
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with his father in the harness trade when he enlisted in Co. G., Eleventh Vt. regiment serving three years and then being discharged, this will be found in another part of this history. He came to Ludlow in 1865 and engaged with Geo. E. Walker in the harness and collar business. In 1878 he became partner, as Walker & Hathorn. At Mr. Walker's death in '79 he bought his half interest in the harness bus- iness, about fifteen years after he also bought the collar business. This was the only business of its kind in the state. He was a very successful business man. He died on Jan. 9, 1931.
Hill, Sidney A. son of Isaac L. Hill, was born in Mt. Holly, March 12, 1861, attended the common schools of his native town, and was married Jan. 6, 1884, to Ida Wheeler of Perkinsville, Vt. They had two children, Maybelle born July July 14, 1888, and Frank, born Nov. 9, 1885, died Jan. 22, 1892. Mr. Hill came to Ludlow Aug. 23, 1893, and engaged in the grocery and meat business. He died July 31, 1926.
Charles H. Howard
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Howard, Charles H., son of Lewis Howard, was born in Andover, Vt., May 29, 1850. He attended only the common district schools. Nov. 30, 1877, he married Mary A. Rawson of Walpole, N. H. and had one son, Henry, born Oct. 7, 1878, who graduated from Black River Academy in 1896.
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