History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911, Part 67

Author: Lovejoy, Mary Evelyn Wood, 1847-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Burlington, Vt., Free press printing company
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Royalton > History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911 > Part 67

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Anson P. Skinner ranks next to Mr. Adams in the length of time he has been doing business in South Royalton. He did not settle in the village until 1871, but as a drover he carried on active business in the place as early as 1867. His first meat market was in the basement of the Bain & Crain store. From there he removed to the other side of the street into the basement of William Tarbell's building. In 1882 he bought a small building of R. D. Crain, east of the Bain & Crain store. His business increased, and he enlarged his stock to include groceries and provisions, besides the meat market. His carts are sent out to all the neighboring towns.

Mr. Skinner has always been ready to respond to any call that promised a public good, and has been connected with nearly every enterprise that was thought to be conducive to the welfare of the general community. He has been a Mason for thirty years, and has served twenty-five years as treasurer of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 7, F. and A. M. He is a deacon in the Congre- gational church, and has held different town offices, serving as town representative in 1894-95. He has recently turned over the grocery department of his store in the Block to his son, Leon Skinner.

William Mortimer Sargent. Lewis Cass Dickerman.

Mark John Sargent. Anson Perkins Skinner.

Ernest John Hewitt. William Henry Sargent.

John Harvey Hewitt. Marvin II. Hazen.

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John H. Hewitt has almost as long a record of active busi- ness life in South Royalton as Mr. Skinner. He began as a speculator in potatoes and hemlock bark in 1870, and success- fully continued in this line ten years. He then started a store in William Tarbell's building, in the second story, where he kept groceries, furniture, and crockery. From that place he removed into the King building on the corner, the store built by Daniel Tarbell for Horace Parkhurst. He had one-half the building, using both floors, and Dr. Whitcomb had the other half, and put in a stock of dry goods and drugs, and his son, Henry Whitcomb, had the post-office in the same place.

Mr. Hewitt was in this building at the time of the great fire, 1886, and lost all his stock, which was not insured. He was not discouraged, but at once began anew. After the Block was built, he rented his present store, and now carries a large stock of groceries,flour, feed, grain, paints and oils, and has the under- taking and embalming business. About a year ago he built an elevator and mill combined, and grinds the grain to supply his customers. In 1898 he purchased the old school building, which had been moved onto the Alden Chamberlain lot, and has since used it as a grain storehouse, fitting up the upper story for a hall.

Mr. Hewitt possesses unusual business acumen, and is anx- ious to please his customers. He is ably assisted by his son, Ernest J. Hewitt, and two other clerks. He has been auditor for the town many years, and has held other offices of trust. He is a Mason and a member of the Eastern Star. He was town rep- resentative in 1898-99.

Mark J. Sargent is another business man who has made South Royalton his home and center of activity for forty or more years. Mr. Sargent came from Randolph about 1868 and set up the manufactory of hoop skirts in the west end of the Bixby and Jones store building. He did not long continue this business, as hoop skirts began to decline in size and popularity. In 1869 he went into partnership with Dr. David Moore in the drug busi- ness. The next year he sold his interest to Dr. Moore, but soon formed a partnership with John B. Durkee, and bought out Dr. Moore and E. A. Maxham, who had moved his drug business from Royalton village to South Royalton. Sargent & Durkee had a store on the north side of Chelsea street, where it crosses Windsor street. They sold this store in 1873 to Miss Hattie Bean, who put in a milliner's stock of goods in connection with dressmaking. Mr. Sargent has conducted a remarkably well- equipped drug store for many years. His partnership with Mr. Durkee did not long continue. After his son, William M. Sar- gent, arrived at maturity he entered into partnership with his

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father, the firm now being M. J. Sargent & Son. The central office of the People's Telephone is in charge of this firm.

Mr. Sargent was a soldier of the Civil War. His record will be found under the proper head. He was one of the few who originated the Orville Bixby Post in South Royalton, and has been closely identified with it ever since. He is also a loyal Mason, and has a long and honorable record in connection with that organization. Other facts of his life will appear in the history of the Sargent family.

William Henry Sargent, a brother of Mark J. Sargent, came to Royalton in 1865. He settled here permanently in 1868, and bought a blacksmith shop of Charles Crandall, near the mouth of the First Branch. He continued at his forge until 1883, when he started in the meat business, opening a market in the village, and sending a cart on the road. He has continued this business until the present time, though he does not go on the road in the winter season. He is still hale and hearty, and in a condition to run his cart for many years to come.

Herbert C. Sargent, son of Henry Sargent, has a neat and attractive store in the Block, where several clerks are kept busy attending to the wants of customers. He went into business for himself in 1896, by running a cart on the road, then opened a store in the basement of Tarbell's block, and is now in Martin's block.

He carries a considerable stock of groceries in connection with his meat market, and tempts the young with his soda foun- tain and ice-cream on hot summer days, and with fresh baked peanuts in the cold winter season. His customers are sure of prompt and courteous attention. His carts are on the road the year round, one of his clerks being his brother, Fred, and an- other, his cousin, Edward H. Sargent.

J. Orlando Belknap removed from East Barnard, where he was bred to mercantile life, to South Royalton in 1875, and leased the store that Bain & Crain had occupied. Mr. Belknap's father, Seymour Belknap, was a merchant in East Barnard for many years. "J. O." as he was familiarly called, had sold pins and thread almost from the time his head reached the counter, and he early went into business for himself. He had been post- master at East Barnard for some time.

His usual success attended him in South Royalton, until he was burned out in 1883, when a fire started in the store of Bixby & Jones, catching from a spark from the railroad engine, as was supposed. He then rebuilt, and went on prosperously until the fire of 1886 swept away everything again on both sides of Chel- sea street, as far east as Windsor street. Mr. Belknap then united with other merchants in putting up the Block. He con-

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tinued the business of a dry goods merchant until his death in 1910. The firm now exists under the name of J. O. Belknap's Sons. At the time of his death Mr. Belknap was postmaster at South Royalton, and one of the directors of the National White River Bank at Bethel. His son, Perley, has been appointed post- master to fill the vacancy, and his son, William, who remains in the store, has been elected bank director in the place of his father.

Mr. Belknap was auditor for the town a considerable period of years, and held other offices of trust and honor. He was con- sidered a man of sound judgment, conservative in methods of business, of strict integrity, and was entrusted with the settle- ment of estates, which were expeditiously and successfully closed up to the satisfaction of those interested. His son, William, has been connected with the store from youth, except when prose- cuting his studies. He is now manager of the business, and is keeping a well-selected, up-to-date stock of dry goods, men's and women's clothing, and groceries. Perley Belknap is kept busy in the post-office. He has served several years as a member of the Board of Education in South Royalton, and his influence has always been in the direction of a liberal support of the public schools in the matter of equipment and the salaries of teachers.

L. C. Dickerman came to South Royalton from Tunbridge in 1873. His father, Lewis Dickerman of Tunbridge, purchased the Wilmot building on the south side of Chelsea street, and leased it to his son, L. C. Dickerman, and Albert W. Davis. They put in a large stock of dry goods on the first floor, and Mr. Dickerman occupied the upper floor as a tenement. He sold out to Mr. Davis in April, 1875, but bought the stock back again the next year, and continued the business alone until he was burned out in February, 1878. Mr. Lewis Dickerman rebuilt, and L. C., or "Cass," as he is often called, put in another stock of goods. He was successful in business until the great fire of 1886 again destroyed everything. As no stores were rebuilt on that side of the street, the Sanborn lot and house were purchased on the cor- ner of Chelsea and Windsor streets, and another store was erected. The Sanborn house was cut in two, and the store built on to the half left standing. This was necessary, as there was not room for a new building next to Windsor street. In the fire of October 2d, 1893, he again lost everything, store and stock of goods. Not baffled by repeated disasters, Mr. Dickerman again rebuilt, this time a store and tenement combined. He em- ploys two clerks, Miss Bertha and Miss Mary Morse, who also have a milliner's shop in the north end of the Dickerman build- ing. Mr. Dickerman has a large patronage among the farmers, who are sure of receiving the highest market prices for their produce. He is doing a thriving business.

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Charles E. Black, a brother-in-law of J. O. Belknap, and a successor to the Belknap store in East Barnard in 1875, re- moved from that place to South Royalton in the fall of 1891. He bought of John B. Durkee his store in the Block, and his stock of hardware and groceries. He at once began to close out the hardware, and to put in a stock of dry goods. He carries a heavy stock of general merchandise, and has the true trades- man's instinct that knows how to please customers. For twenty- two years he has employed as clerk, George R. Allen, who is equally urbane, and solicitous to suit their patrons. Mr. Black has held important positions in town affairs, having been select- man, overseer of the poor, and auditor. He was postmaster six- teen years in East Barnard, and four years in South Royalton, under Cleveland. He is a Democrat.

Caspar P. Abbott was in the harness business in Hartford, before removing to South Royalton in 1887. He opened a livery in the Vermont Central Hotel barn. This hotel burned soon after, and he purchased the house now owned by W. O. Belknap, south of the hotel. He built a barn here and put in a livery and harness shop. He sold this in 1894, and built a harness shop and tenement combined, with a stable connected. He sold his stock to Fred Culver, and the livery came into the hands of T. G. Dearborn. This building is on the north side of Chelsea street, east of the Dickerman store. In 1903 Mr. Abbott bought a half interest in the saw mill commonly called the "Pierce Mill," and with Elmer Doyle continues in this business. In 1908 he built a grain and feed store below the W. W. Gallup house, near the bridge, and now gives his chief attention to his store.

Arthur A. Abbott came from Chelsea to South Royalton about twenty years ago, to learn the harness trade with his brother, Caspar. After he had mastered the trade, he worked in various places, but returned in 1900 to work for his brother. In January, 1910, he purchased of Fred Culver his stock of harness goods, and now keeps a first-class supply of goods in his line. The same year that he started in business for himself he married Miss Emma Rowell, a popular and successful teacher in the vil- lage schools, and purchased a pleasant home on South street.

George H. Dewey is a native of Royalton. He learned the hardware trade of A. H. Lamb. In 1898 he went into business for himself in the basement of Tarbell's block. It is doubtful if any other trader in South Royalton ever began business in just the same way. His only stock was his tools. As he earned money he invested in goods, and step by step worked his way up, until today he has as fine a stock of hardware and tinware as can be found in any country store. He soon removed from the Tarbell block into the basement of the Martin block, and later

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to the first floor of No. 9 in the Block. In 1909 he removed into No. 7 of the Block, where he still is doing business. He has employed Charles P. Folsom for several years, who attends to the plumbing and heating.

Allen W. Bohonnon, a native of Bolton, was appointed sta- tion agent at South Royalton in 1903. He had had twelve years' experience in railroad stations previous to this. He held this station until 1908, when he was sent to the station at Waterbury. He resigned his position there and returned to South Royalton. In company with John E. Phelps he bought the hardware stock of Henry Manchester in 1909. They ran the business a year, then Mr. Bohonnon bought out his partner, and removed his stock of goods to the store which he purchased of Mrs. Erva Sargent in the Block. He is a man whom his patrons trust, and, though new to the business, he has been very successful.

John E. Phelps learned the hardware business of E. F. Wardwell of Woodstock, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He worked as clerk for George H. Manchester in South Royalton two years, then bought a part of the Manchester stock, and went into trade for himself in the same store. After he dis- solved partnership with Mr. Bohonnon, he removed his part of the goods into the basement of the Martin block. His specialty is plumbing and heating, and he is kept busy most of the time in this and neighboring towns in attending to calls for this kind of work. He keeps one clerk, Mr. Lewis.

Ernest F. Moody bought out his brother, Bert L. Moody, in 1902. This was a furniture store, and with it Mr. Moody has combined crockery and fancy ware. He makes a specialty of Christmas goods, and his store is always crowded during the holidays, when the little ones are often given a free treat.

Upon the death of Edward Foster in 1897, his son, Heber, assumed the responsibility of conducting the flour, feed, grain, and coal business, which his father's death left without a head. He has shown commendable faithfulness, zeal, and sagacity, and is reckoned as one of the most reliable, solid, business men of the village.

George E. Flint was an employe of the South Royalton Shoe Factory for a time. He then went to Bethel, and was given charge of the stock room of the Bethel Shoe Company, returning to the shop in South Royalton when the Bethel Company sus- pended. He worked for a time in the C. A. Hibbard Shoe Fac- tory at Burlington, then resumed work in the White River Shoe Factory, and when it removed from town he went to work in Newport, N. H. He soon returned to South Royalton and formed a partnership with Elmer Hapgood, which firm is noted in the chapter on "Industries." For a year and a half he has

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had a shop on the second floor of the Skinner block, where he repairs and sells shoes.

A. R. Fielders went into partnership with J. G. Ashley in the fall of 1900. When Mr. Ashley sold his interest to P. A. Blanchard, the firm became Fielders and Blanchard, tonsorial artists. Mr. Fielders bought out his partner in December, 1903, and continued the business alone until June, 1904, when he took as a partner E. H. Ashley. He sold his interest to Mr. Ashley in April, 1908, and bought out P. A. Jerd. He has a shop in the Skinner block, second floor. He came from Randolph, where he learned his trade. He is a Mason, an Oddfellow, and a Wood- man.

Frederick R. Seymour, born in Milton, came to South Roy- alton from Claremont, N. H., in September, 1907, and purchased the stock of goods belonging to the jewelry store of L. F. Terry in the Martin block. He is assisted by his wife, and both are persons with whom customers like to trade.

The connection of E. H. Ashley with A. R. Fielders in the barber business has been mentioned. After he bought out Mr. Fielders, he sold a half interest to A. L. Benedict, with whom he continued until March, 1910, when he bought out his partner, and has since run the business alone at the old stand next to the post-office, where his shop seems always to have a customer.

THE BLOCK, SOUTH ROYALTON.

SPECIAL DAYS.

OLD TIME PICNIC. 1853.

VETERAN REUNION.

1909.

DEDICATION & NEW YEARS

AT H. H. WOODARD'S HALL,

WEDNESDAY EVE, JANUARY 1, :851.

٠٠١٠٠١١٨١

WW. \ 115EL.

minstt . Bensmorr's Banh.

TICKETS, $0,00.

DISAPPOINTED ---

HAPPY - ROOSEVELT ALIGHTING TO MAKE A SPEECH.

ROOSEVELT STEAMS BY.

AUGUST 30, 1902.

Roosevelt on the rear platform of the train, hat in hand. Lower left-hand corner.

CHAPTER XLI.

MISCELLANEOUS.

VISITS OF NOTED MEN.

A town always feels honored when a noted man or woman accepts its hospitality as a guest. This was especially the case when traveling was not so rapid and easy as it is today, when Presidents dash from one shore of the country to the other, making hundreds of speeches in the course of transit. Then, fortunate indeed was the village or city that had the pleasure of entertaining a public functionary of national fame.

During Madison's administration the demands upon the time of the Chief Executive left him little time for rest, or oppor- tunity for becoming acquainted with the people who had elected him. When President Monroe came to the White House, a period of peace had begun. James Monroe in preceding years had been much in the public eye, as agent to foreign Courts, and as Secretary of State, and had the happy faculty of winning the hearty support of all parties. To become still better acquainted with the needs of the nation over which he was placed, he visited portions of it, and so in the course of his travels he came to Royalton.

He was the first chief magistrate to visit Vermont. He en- tered the State at Norwich, July 22, 1817, dined in that village, and spent the night in Windsor. He followed the stage route from Windsor to Woodstock, then through Royalton to Mont- pelier. It is unfortunate that no record has been preserved of his entertainment in Royalton. He passed through the town July 23, and there is no doubt that he was given a royal welcome.

The true love of liberty implanted in every soul never con- fines itself to domestic, national, or racial lines. Wherever there is a down-trodden, oppressed people or person, it is sure to awaken heart-throbs of sympathy, and a desire to help, in the minds of those who live for the betterment of the world.

To this fact is due the debt of gratitude which this nation owes to the noble, self-sacrificing zeal and labor of the Marquis Lafayette. It was no mere spirit of adventure that drove him

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from the sunny shores of lovely, fertile France to the bleak, for- est-covered land of America. It was no mere desire for fame that made him strike hands with Washington, the leader without means, the commander of a small army of half-clad, almost whol- ly undisciplined soldiers. It was with no expectation of golden returns in the future, that prompted him to pour out his fortune like water, that America's sons and daughters might breathe the air of true freedom. It is not strange that every school boy and girl loves the name of Lafayette. With this spirit of gratitude and love he was welcomed, when he returned for a visit to the land, then and to the day of his death, dear to him.

When it was known that he would come to this country in 1825, though most of those who had stood by him in the great conflict, which threw off the shackles of England, had answered to the final call, the new generation in every state was eager to manifest its appreciation of his noble efforts in its behalf. In- vitations from legislatures and governors were showered upon him, most of which he accepted. On the recommendation of Gov. Van Ness, the Legislature of Vermont in 1824 requested the Governor to invite Lafayette to visit Vermont in his tour through the country. The Governor extended the invitation in December, and it was accepted the January following.

Gen. Lafayette entered the state at Windsor, June 28, 1825. He was accompanied by his son, Col. George Washington La- fayette, and by his secretary, M. Le Vasseur. Gov. Van Ness and his suit met him at Windsor and escorted him to Mont- pelier. Lafayette went from Windsor to Woodstock, where he was given an ovation, and from thence he came by the old Roy- alton and Woodstock Turnpike road to Royalton.

Details had been carefully planned for his entertainment in Royalton. The committee of arrangements was composed of Moses Cutter, Daniel Rix, Dr. Jo A. Denison, John Francis, Franklin Hunter, and Jacob Collamer. No better account of the preparation made for the welcome of Lafayette can be given than that in Miss Ivah Dunklee's publication, "The Burning of Royalton," which account was based on an original paper by Mrs. Frances M. Joiner, read before the Woman's Club, Nov. 18, 1905.

"The town was brilliantly astir that morning. From Tunbridge came a full company of cavalry in new uniforms-blue trousers, white vests, bright red coats, and a peculiar shaped cap with stiff plumes of blue and white-no expense had been spared on these uniforms; even coat buttons had been ordered in Boston at the expense of $37 each.

Every building in town was dedicated this day to hospitality. Be- tween the church and (present) academy, where now runs the railroad, was a long, one-story wooden building without windows, but with numerous openings provided with heavy wooden shutters. One end was partitioned off for a woodshed, kitchen, and store-room, and the

I b

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remainder with its three long tables and benches built in the hall had been dedicated to feasts on training and other great days.

Here the women of the town were assembled ready to cater to all those not entertained at the hotel, and in front of this building was formed a long procession of school children and townspeople led by two five-year-old boys-Horatio Nelson Smith and Dudley Chase Deni- son."

Col. Stafford Smith was at this time landlord of the hotel, afterwards and now called the "Cascadnac." As no telephones were available in announcing the arrival of the distinguished company, mounted young men were sent out on the turnpike road toward Woodstock, stationed horn blasts apart. One of the horns used on that occasion is still preserved, and a picture of it may be seen in a cut of relics.

The turnpike road led across the toll bridge at Foxville, where they stopped long enough for Lafayette to accept a glass of wine, then the brilliant cavalcade came on to meet the pro- cession of gayly-dressed children, singing their songs of welcome, and of the townspeople cheering the hero whom they admired and loved. Gen. Lafayette and Gov. Van Ness rode in an open barouche drawn by six white horses. The Tunbridge cavalry commanded by Capt. Eaton, which met the General two miles from the village, rode behind the ten carriages, and then came the mounted horn bearers, whose blasts had joyfully announced the arrival of Lafayette, the whole escort to the village being under the direction of Major Warren.

A national salute was fired by Revolutionary patriots. A procession was formed under the direction of Oel Billings and his assistant marshals, and went to the front of Col. Smith's hotel and formed an extensive square. The General was advanced to the open portico of the hotel. Here the Hon. Jacob Collamer delivered the following address :

"In behalf of the citizens of Royalton and vicinity I am requested to express their extreme joy in seeing you among us. We bid you welcome to the green hills and happy villages of Vermont.

We know no way of rendering this welcome more acceptable to our nation's guest, than by assuring you that every little town and village of our country, however remote and obscure in the mountains which environ it, is happy in the protection and care of our govern- ment.

In the full enjoyment, in common with our splendid cities, of all those privileges and blessings which flow from the liberality of our republican institutions, and surrounded with the light and intelligence which attends those institutions, we cannot be insensible whence these blessings flow, or the debt of gratitude which they imply. These are the happy results of your early labors and those of your compatriots. Hence the thrill of pleasure which, at your condescending visit, vibrates with electric rapidity and sympathetic orison to the most obscure and remote recesses and extremities of our nation.

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History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911, Part 67

Author: Lovejoy, Mary Evelyn Wood, 1847- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Burlington, Vt., Free press printing company Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Lovejoy, Mary Evelyn Wood, 1847-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Burlington, Vt., Free press printing company
Number of Pages: 1280