USA > Vermont > Windsor County > History of Windsor County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104
The Black River Woolen-Mills .- These mills were established by the Village Falls Manufacturing Company in 1836. Of this company Samuel W. Porter was president, and among the stockholders were Don Lovell, George Kimball, John Holmes, David Brown, Hamlin Whit- more, and others. This company failed during the panic of 1837, and for a number of years the mills were idle, but finally in 1854 were started by John Holmes, George Kimball and Hamlin Whitmore, each taking a quarter interest, and Albert Brown and B. F. Dana taking an eighth each, under the firm name of Holmes, Whitmore & Co. Shoddy cloths were manufactured. The mills were burned in the year 1854, and from 1868 to 1871 were again idle. In the latter year M. Collins, William Dillon and Hamlin Whitmore formed a partnership under the name of Collins, Dillon & Co., and began the manufacture of Union cassimeres. Mr. Collins's interest was bought October, 1874, by Albert Brown, and the firm was changed to Whitmore, Dillon & Co. Mr. Brown disposed of his interest to his partners in March, 1877, and the firm became Whitmore & Dillon. In July, 1884, Mr. Dillon purchased the entire machinery, leasing the property from Whitmore Brothers & Co. The products of the mill are twenty-three thousand yards a month. There are four sets of machinery, and employment is given to seventy-six hands.
The Upper Dam .- In 1836 the Village Falls Manufacturing Company, which was a stock company, formed in that year, consolidated a number of the different industries on the west bank of the river. This included the cotton, woolen and oil-mills, and they erected on the upper dam a paper-mill for the manufacture of letter paper. This company failed in the panic of 1837, and the paper-mill came into the possession of Irving
wm Dillon
461
VILLAGE OF SPRINGFIELD.
& Blake, who disposed of it to Dr. Ebenezer Knight. After running it for three or four years he sold it to another party, who afterwards went into bankruptcy. The property was finally converted into a saw-mill, fully equipped with wood-working machinery, by Moses D. Barrett, who did a successful business for a number of years. Among the latter oc- cupants was the Industrial Company, a co-operative manufacturing con- cern that made wooden-headed dolls; but they had a disastrous fire, causing a loss of about $30,000. Also, at one time, Judson Fullam car- ried on the stencil business. For a number of years the water-power has not been used, excepting as a reservoir for the dam below it.
Springfield Marble and Granite Works .- The monumental business was begun in Springfield by Abel H. Grennell, who came from Dorset, Vt., in 1841. This was the pioneer works in this line in the county, the nearest competitors being at Concord, N. H., and Fitchburg, Mass. Even the marble quarries at Rutland were not then in existence, and the stone was brought from Dorset by teams. Mr. Grennell, although a first-class marble worker, was unsuccessful in business, and was suc- ceeded in 1849 by Hiram Houghton and Smith K. Randall, under the firm name of Houghton & Randall. In the fall of 1851 Franklin Bar- ney came to Springfield to work for this firm, and in 1852 purchased Houghton's interest, the firm becoming Randall & Barney. After one year they sold out to Alden W. Sherwin. In 1855 he sold to Henry Harlow and George H. Stowell, the firm being Harlow & Stowell. They afterwards bought the monumental works at Claremont, N. H., the latter removing to that place, and they operated both works for sev- eral years. In 1860 the firm was dissolved, Mr. Harlow retaining the Springfield works, which he sold in the following year to Franklin Bar- ney, who established the present works. This is the only shop in the vicinity that finishes their work by power. During the thirty years Mr. Barney has been located at Springfield he has well sustained the reputation of his predecessors for doing first-class work. A visit to the village cemetery shows many artistic and beautiful monuments, the result of his handiwork.
Gilman & Townsend .- As previously stated in this work, on the site occupied by these parties there was originally carried on the manufact- ure of shoe-pegs. Ira and Isaac Davis, who were connected with this
462
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
industry, began, about 1850, to manufacture locks of various descrip- tions suitable for banks, dwellings, etc., which had been invented by D. M. Smith, who was associated with them in business. This venture proved unsuccessful, and on March 18, 1853, the property was sold to Farley B. Gilman, who in connection with Isaac Davis ran a job ma- chine shop. In the following year Mr. Davis retired. For a number of years a patent scythe-snath, the invention of Pinckney Frost, was manufactured. About this time Mr. Gilman helped to make a machine for turning shoe-lasts, which was sent to Canada. It was there seen in successful operation by an interested party, who soon after ordered a similar one made. This was sent to Boston, and, upon its being pro- nounced the best machine for the purpose in the market, Mr. Gilman began improving and making the same. The manufacture has been continued uninterruptedly up to the present date, various improvements having been made from time to time. In 1884 Mr. Gilman was success- ful in producing a lathe that turns both rights and lefts with perfect ac- curacy from a single model, by the simple change of a gear.
The lathes find a ready market throughout the United States, and in European and other foreign countries. The firm also manufactured a rotary shears for cutting sheet iron, steel, brass, etc., which is used by last-makers and others, and they also do a general jobbing business.
In 1861 F. V. A. Townsend became a member of the firm. The present buildings were erected in 1869. Employment is given to ten hands, the annual production being about $15,000.
Vermont Snath Company, Brass and Iron Foundry .- The site occu- pied by this company is located at the lower end of the village, where originally a foundry was built about 1840 by Noah Safford, who after- wards sold to Mitchell Shepardson. The old building on the west side of the road now used for a pattern store-room was the first Congrega- tional church, located on the village common. After passing through various hands it was sold by C. E. Richardson to the above company, in January, 1872. During the year 1852 Pinckney Frost began to man- ufacture scythe-snaths on this plant, and the following year admitted Franklin P. Ball as a partner, the firm being Frost, Ball & Co. In the same year C. C. Church became a partner, and the title was made Frost, Ball & Church. The latter interest was bought in 1853 by Udney
463
VILLAGE OF SPRINGFIELD.
Burke, and from that time till August, 1863, the business was conducted under the name of Frost, Burke & Co. From 1863 to 1866 Smith K. Ran- dall had an interest in the business, but in 1866 the firm was dissolved, and in the same year a new one was formed by Franklin P. Ball and Horace W. Thompson, under the style of Ball & Thompson. An act of incorporation was obtained November 18, 1868, and a stock company organized under the present name August 21, 1869, the capital being $30,000. On the night of June 8, 1882, the works were visited by a terrible fire, entailing a loss of $20,000, destroying the buildingson the north side of the road, including the snath buildings and part of the foundry. The present buildings were erected in that year, excepting the new pattern-room in the rear of the old one, which was built in 1888. It is a two- story building and basement, 30 x 50 feet. Before the fire the principal production was scythe-snaths, but since that time the manufacture of this article has been discontinued. Employment is given to about thirty hands, and stoves, mill machinery, brass and iron castings are manufactured. Miles Smith has been president of the com- pany since 1875, and Joseph White treasurer since 1882.
Vermont Novelty Works Company .- The foundation of this company was laid in 1857, when J A. H. Ellis, H. H. Mason, Hamlin Whitmore and Albert Brown formed a partnership under the style of Ellis & Co., and began to manufacture splint baskets. The factory at that time was located on the east bank of the Black River, just north of the covered bridge. Employment was given to about twenty hands, and in the fol- lowing year splint baby carriages were added to their product, being the first manufactured in the United States. The firm proved unsuc- cessful in business, was dissolved, and in the winter of 1858 J. A. H. Ellis and R. G. Britton became partners as Ellis & Britton, and made toy carts. During the month of February, 1859, E. M. Eaton became a partner, the name of the firm being Ellis, Britton & Eaton, and to the former business was added baby carriages of various designs, toy per- ambulators, and wooden toys of different patterns and shapes. Requir- ing more room for manufacturing purposes, in the summer of 1863 the present plant was purchased, and extensive buildings and a twenty-two- foot dam built. The main building was of stone, 100 x 60 feet, having an ell 50 x 25 feet. Owing to a rise of the river in November, 1863,
464
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
one-half of this building was carried away, but the works were fully completed in the summer of 1864. The flood of 1869 destroyed the dam and made a complete wreck of the buildings, entailing a loss of over $40,000. Notwithstanding these disasters, in 1870 there were com- plete two three-story buildings on the site, and a joint stock company was incorporated in that year under the present title, William A. A. Heyer, of Boston, being elected president, Albert Brown, secretary, and J. A. H. Ellis, treasurer. The works at this time were run to their full capacity, from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five hands being
employed, and the annual production aggregated $100,000. The company was to meet its next enemy in the shape of fire. On June 25, 1878, the works were entirely destroyed, the loss reaching over $60,000. Again they were rebuilt, the capital stock being reduced to one-fourth of its original amount, but evincing the same determination on the part of the corporation to brave all adversities. Employment is now given during the busy season to about seventy hands, and the yearly produc- tion is about $50,000. The present buildings are six in number, the different departments of the works being now conducted in separate buildings. The present officers of the corporation are A. M. Allbe, president; N. W. Andrews, secretary; E. M. Eaton, superintendent and treasurer.
W. H. H. Slack, Manufacturer of Shoddy and Flocks .- This business was established in 1871 by W. H. H. Slack and Frederick G. Ellison, under the firm name of Slack & Ellison, and is situated on the west bank of the Black River, near the falls bridge. Mr. Ellison disposed of his interest in 1875 and the business has since been conducted by Mr. Slack, excepting during 1883-84, when C. D. Brink was a partner. The three - story flat roof extension to the works was built in 1887. Employment is given to twenty hands.
The Jones & Lamson Machine Company was originally located at Windsor, Vt., but a majority of the stock being purchased in 1887 by Springfield parties, and the town exempting them from taxation for ten years, the company, on April 10, 1888, began to build their present shops, which are of wood, two stories in height, and 50 by 150 feet. The company owns patterns for the manufacture of lathes, planers, and drills, but makes a specialty of brass monitors and screw machines,
ALITTLE
12H. N. Jours
465
VILLAGE OF SPRINGFIELD.
making of the latter the largest constructed by any works. The capital stock is $60,000. From seventy-five to one hundred hands are employed, and the new industry is destined to prove a great financial benefit to the village of Springfield. The present officers are as follows : President, Amasa Woolson; treasurer, William Woolson; directors, Amasa Woolson, Adna Brown, Charles E. Richardson, C. K. Larabee, R. L. Jones.
Springfield Creamery Company was organized February 28, 1888, the following officers being chosen : President, Henry Arms; clerk, James E. White; who, with the following, form the board of directors : Leroy M. Holmes, Charles F. Aldrich, F. H. Nichols. The building was completed in the spring of 1888, having a capacity for one thousand cows, and though the enterprise is new in this locality, it is fast becom- ing popular among the farmers. The present officers are : President, Samuel Brown ; clerk, Charles F. Aldrich ; who, with Leroy M. Holmes, F. H. Nichols, and Daniel O. Gill, form the board of directors.
Mercantile .- The first merchants of Springfield village : Before there was a settlement in what is now the center of the village there were two stores situated near the common. One of these was located on what is now Mansion Hill, and was kept by James Whipple. The other was subsequently removed to where the town hall now stands and run by James F. Brown. The oldest building in the center of the village is the one situated on the northeast corner of Main and Park streets, and was originally used by a Mr. Day, for the manufacture of hats, and afterwards was occupied by Mr. Whipple, who moved from the hill. He was suc- ceeded by John Perkins, who, owing to misfortune, was obliged to dispose of his business to Mills Duncan. He moved West and John Perkins again carried on business at the same store as late as 1845. The next occupants were Adams & Bundy. After several changes in this firm it was changed from a general store and occupied by Charles Sabin, who carried on the drug business. The building was purchased of Mr. Sabin about 1850 by Noble J. Crain and Frederick W. Porter, who added jewelry to the stock. On the death of the former, Mr. Porter carried on the business alone, but in 1854 William H. Wheeler pur- chased an interest and they continued in partnership till 1870. Since that time Mr. Wheeler has conducted the business alone.
59
466
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
On the opposite corner where the Woolson block now stands, in 1815, May & Wales, of Westminster, Vt., erected a store and engaged in trade, which they followed till about 1830, though during the latter part of the time the business was conducted by Phineas Wales. The next firm at this stand was Whitmore & Morris, who were succeeded by Ed- win Whitmore; he by B. F. Dana, who afterwards took as a partner George W. Porter, and they were succeeded by C. K. Larabee, the last occupant before the present block was built.
On the opposite side of the street, in the Tontine building, which was originally built for tenements, Cook & Boynton ran a general store as early as 1830. Afterwards it was converted into a stove and tin shop and run by a man named Ingraham, and afterwards as a grocery run by the Robinsons. Crossing to the foot of the hill, Jonathan Chase there built a store before 1830 and carried on business till his death in 1851. Next to this, in what is now the Randall block, Russell Burke kept the first store about 1826. A. L. Thompson was afterwards associated with him as partner. From 1853 to 1863 Charles A. Forbush was engaged in the mercantile business at this stand and sold the same to Walker & Howe, who failed. At the head of Main street the brick building was erected by George Washburn and others. Mr. Washburn came to Springfield in 1823 and was a harness-maker, and began work in Burke's store and afterwards carried on that business in this block till his death in 1866.
Opposite the hotel Selden Cook, a shoemaker, began business about 1830. He afterwards became a partner with George W. Porter in a general store under the firm name of Cook, Porter & Co., F. W. Porter being a member of the firm. About 1850 this firm dissolved, Mr. Cook continuing the boot and shoe business and George W. Porter and F. W. Porter the jewelry trade. Sylvanus Blanchard kept the first exclusive grocery and confectionery store in the village and was the first one to keep horses to let. As early as 1830 D. A. Graves kept a tailor shop. Thomas Dana, who came to Springfield in 1800, was one of the first masons and helped to build all of the early buildings in the village.
The first jeweler of the village was John Holden, who came from Quincy, Mass. The next one was David M. Smith, who had the south end of the Wales store. In 1844 F. W. Porter opened a jewelry store
467
VILLAGE OF SPRINGFIELD.
where the town clerk's office now is, which was afterwards removed to Smith's old stand and finally he became a partner with Cook, Porter & Co.
North Springfield .- This is a small hamlet situated in the northwest corner of the town, on Black River. It has two churches, a store, be- sides a number of small mills, and about sixty-two dwelling houses. The selectmen of the town, in response to the petition of sixteen free- holders, laid out the boundaries of the village March 11, 1833, in accord- ance with an act passed by the State November 11, 1819, as follows :
" Beginning at the west end of the bridge across Black River, near Joel Griswold, on the road by Timothy Williams, to Weathersfield line, from thence by Francis Griswold and by the brick meeting-house to Isaac Williams, and also by Oliver Cook to the bridge across the big brook, from thence by Moses White's on the road through the village to the place of beginning; and also from the old school-house across the bridge by widow Hannah Williams south to the first bridge and east from the widow Williams to the first bridge."
In 1840 there were located at this point three stores and two hotels, besides various other business industries. Where the present store and post-office are located, in 1831 was a dwelling-house occupied by Otis Litchfield, and in that year Sylvester Burke and Abner Field, under the firm name of Field & Burke, changed it to a store and purchased an eight- thousand-dollar stock of goods in Boston, Mass., and Hartford, Conn., and opened a general store. In 1834 Mr. Field disposed of half his in- terest to Josiah Barnes and in 1837 the firm of Field, Burke & Co. was dissolved, Mr. Field continuing at the old stand until 1847, when Benja- min Smith carried on business for two years and was succeeded by D. C. Griswold & Co. The next change was to a co-operative and protect- ive union store, No. 269, which lasted a number of years and was suc- ceeded by John Hall and Ryland Harrington, under the firm name of Hall & Harrington. Mr. Harrington's interest was purchased in 1865 by Fred G. Field, and since that time, though he has had several part- ners, he has continued in the business. The following partners between 1865-77 have been interested with him: John Hall, Henry B. Wood- bury, Hiland E. Chandler, and Charles A. Leland. When Sylvester Burke retired from the above firm he built in the fall of 1837 a store, the
468
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
first building west of the Baptist church, where he continued business till the spring of 1856, when he sold to John Hall and J. W. Lockwood. The latter subsequently bought the former out, and Henry Newell and Sidney Burke became partners. This firm was in business only one year when Sylvester Burke and C. H. Shipman engaged in trade, and after disposing of their stock, the building in 1870 was occupied by John Hall, who continued till 1875, when it was remodeled into a dwelling house.
Post-Office .- The post-office was established at North Springfield solely through the exertions of Abner Field, who was appointed the first postmaster in 1832. Owing to a change in the administration he was succeeded in 1836 by John White, who held the position till 1849, when D. C. Griswold was appointed and served till 1852. John White was then re-appointed and kept the office till 1861, when the present incum- bent, John Hall, received his commission.
The saw and grist-mill at North Springfield was built by Joel Gris- wold in 1837-38, and in the following year Dr. Leonard Chase purchased an interest and the firm became Griswold & Chase. The former sold out to John Farnham, and Abner Field had an interest in the business, the firm being Chase, Farnham & Field. The latter, however, did not long remain a member of the firm and the two others in 1859 sold the grist- mill to Phineas Parker. The saw-mill was afterwards sold to Lyman Ellis, who had James Thompson in company with him. The freshet of 1869 washed the property away and it was bought by Durant J. Boyn- ton, who now carries on the saw-mill. In 1866 Phineas Parker sold the grist- mill to Abner Hall, who disposed of it to Elisha Keith, who after- wards sold it to D. M. Crane, Fred G. Field, and Ariel Kendrick, and from them William J. Johnson purchased the property and operated the mill a number of years. Upon his death it came into the hands of the present proprietor.
Frank D. Martin's Fancy Box Manufactory .- Upon the site occupied by this novel industry as early as 1843-44 Henry Dyer had a blacksmith shop and a few years later Luke Taylor began to manufacture mop- heads as late as 1863. Mr. Martin was engaged in the manufacture of chairs, but in 1865 began making and turning wooden handles for all kinds of wire utensils. This business was carried on till January 1, 1879, when Frank D. Martin began in a small way to make fancy wood boxes.
A LITTLE.
Abner Full
469
OLD FAMILIES.
On September 3, 1884, the works were entirely destroyed by fire, the loss being over $8,000. The present structure was immediately erected and consists of a two-story and basement wood building thirty by fifty feet, which is equipped for either water or steam-power. Over 100,000 boxes are made annually and employment is given to twenty-six hands.
The Cheese Factory was built in 1877 and was run from that time till 1884 by Charles A. Leland and Fred G. Field. From 30,000 to 60,- 000 pounds of cheese were made annually, milk being obtained from 150 to 350 cows, though the factory has a capacity of 400 cows. The present proprietor is Orange P. Dunn.
There was also established at North Springfield in 1881 the Slack Fer- tilizing Co., but this industry was removed in 1887 to Gloucester, Mass.
The Henry Parker Company is located at what is called Gould's Mills and sometimes Parker's Mills, situated in the southern part of the town on the Black River about three miles from Springfield village. As early as 1774 a saw-mill was built on the site and was known as Morris Mills. At present there are about twelve dwellings, a school-house, a saw and grist-mill and a bobbin and spool factory. Here the latter was established by Henry Parker in 1865 and in August, 1882, was pur- chased by P. W. & S. B. Gould. The senior member of this firm at that time was a resident of Pittsfield, Mass., but in September, 1883, came to Springfield and has since managed the business. All kinds of bobbins and spools are manufactured, but a specialty called the Wait's patent crossed-grain quill is the chief article produced. The improve- ment claimed for this quill over all others is that a ring of white oak is cemented and inserted in the groove at the ends of the bobbin, thereby making a sure protection against splitting. Employment is given to about twenty-five hands.
OLD FAMILIES.
It would be impossible within the compass of this work to give a gen- ealogical sketch of each family that has been connected with the town. The remainder of this chapter is devoted to those who feel and have manifested an interest in preserving the records of their ancestors. For sketches received too late for insertion in this chapter please refer to a later chapter of this work.
470
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
Adams, Eli, came from Stoddard, N. H., to Springfield in 1791. He married Hepsey Farley and had the following family : Anna, married Abel Lockwood, and died in New York State ; Joseph, died in Stockbridge, Vt .; Amos, died at Charlestown, N. H .; Sally, married Henry C. Dana; Jessie, died in Springfield.
Adams, Joseph, (son of Eli) was born at Stoddard, N. H., February 16, 1784, and died April 13, 1844. He married Polly Goodnow ; they had six children, viz .: Vianna, mar- ried Samuel Roundy ; Mary, married Alpheus Dean; Sarah, widow of J. C. Hall, resides in Springfield ; Marietta, married Asel Wyman; Abel resides in Springfield, Vt .; and Cyrus, who resides in Bridgewater, Vt.
Adams, Abel, son of Joseph, was born in Springfield, Vt., September 6, 1821, and married Susan Felch. Of their family of ten children one died in infancy. The others were George H., a resident of Springfield ; Sarah Jane, wife of Foster L. Piper, of Spring- field; Laura, wife of Allen Woodward, of Springfield ; Abby, wife of John C. Eaton, of Springfield; Eddie, died at the age of fifteen years; Mary, died at the age of four and one-half years; Marcia, Mary and John reside in Springfield, Vt.
Allbe, Albert M., of Springfield, the only son of Ellery and Hannah (Messer) Allbe, was born in Westminster, Vt., November 13, 1821. After attending the district schools he took an academical course at Walpole and Chesterfield, N. H., and studied law with Hon. William C. Bradley, a prominent lawyer of his native town. He was admitted to the Windham County Bar in 1843, and began the practice of his profession at West- minster, Vt., but removed in the latter part of the year to Londonderry, Vt., and owing to ill-health he was obliged to relinquish his practice in 1848. From that time he was engaged in various pursuits until 1872, being from 1852 to 1855 in California, and from 1855 to 1861 he was engaged in farming in Westminster, Vt., but in the latter year he became engaged in business in Fitchburg, Mass., which he followed until 1865. Re- turning to Londonderry, he was connected with a woolen-mill, but resumed the practice of law in 1872, and in the summer of 1874 located at Springfield, Vt., where he has since continued to practice his profession. He married Mary C., daughter of Barnet Wait, an old resident of Londonderry, where he now resides in his ninety-fifth year. Their chil- dren by this marriage are Alla N., wife of F. W. Pierce, a druggist of Chester, Vt .; Cora Annette, wife of Dr. E. S. Allbe, a practicing physician and surgeon of Bellows Falls, Vt .; and Gertrude A., wife of Alva C. Spencer, of Roslindale, Mass.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.