USA > Vermont > Caledonia County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 52
USA > Vermont > Essex County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 52
USA > Vermont > Orleans County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 52
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After clerking two years for H. S. Root, in April, 1878, he entered the employ of the Passumpsic, now the Boston & Maine railroad, as clerk in the office. In October, 1885, he was appointed station agent at Newport, which position he now holds. Mr. Dane has entire charge of the business of this im- portant junction, with the excep- tion of selling tickets. He has thirty employés in the freight de-
partment, beside nearly that num- ber employed in the yard. Since he assumed the agency, twenty-four years ago, the business has doubled several times, and everything con- sidered, it is probably the most ex- tensive of any point north of Con- cord.
Mr. Dane possesses that large measure of industry, order, and ex- eentive ability, combined with a practical knowledge of men and affairs, requisite to the successful discharge of this most responsible position.
He married Mabel Robinson in 1880, and they have three children: Walter A., Marion A., and Henry R. Dane.
Mr. Dane is a member of Evening
OLIN S. DANE.
Star lodge and Frontier encamp- ment, 1. O. O. F., and of Memphre- magog commandery, U. O. G. C.
ORLEANS COUNTY.
127
BLAKE, Z. C., son of William and Caroline (Kendall) Blake, was born at West Derby, December 22, 1836. The Blakes were early set- tlers in this town, and William Blake kept the hotel at West Derby. Z. C. Blake was one of a family
years in the same line at Island Pond. During the past sixteen years his business has been located at Newport at his present stand, Lawrence block. Z. C. Blake & Sons represent every feature of the business, including vegetables, and
THE TERFTENG.CO. COL'S.O.
Z. C. BLAKE
of seven children, four of whom are now living in this vicinity. He be- gan in the meat business nearly half a century ago, and has con- ducted it continuously at West Derby and Newport until the pres- ent time, with the exception of ten
seven men, including the proprie- tors, and four horses are employed in conducting this extensive busi- ness in Newport and West Derby, which is probably the largest in the state. There is no other line of trade that so closely touches the
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
health and comfort of the people, and the continued growth and sue- cess of this business is a sufficient index of the fairness, character, and ability of the members of this well- known firm.
Z. C. Blake married Elizabeth Kelley of Derby, and five children were born to them: William and Herbert are now the active partners of the business, Jennie is the wife of W. H. Jenks of St. Johnsbury, Oren is deceased, and Addie is the wife of John Hildreth of Newport.
COOK, EDWIN AMos, son of Amos and Sarah Wing (Norton) Cook, was born in Glover, Novem- ber 19, 1856. His father was a well- known carpenter and builder, also a farmer, of Glover, and Edwin A. learned and for a time followed the carpenter's trade. His academic training was obtained at the Orleans County Liberal institute and St. Johnsbury academy. He studied law with Hon. L. H. Thompson of Irasburg, was admitted to the bar in 1884, and located in practice in his native town until 1891, when he came to Newport, and three years later formed, with J. W. Redmond, the law firm of Cook & Redmond, which existed two years. He then continued in practice by himself until December, 1898, when F. C. Williams became a partner of the present law firm of Cook & Will- iams. Mr. Cook is in close touch with the rank and file, a jovial, com- panionable man, and an excellent. practical lawyer in the varied field of general practice.
Mr. Cook married, in 1885, Car- rie A. Morse of Glover, daughter of Royal and Orlantha (Ketchum) Morse of Craftsbury. They have one son, Harold Amos, now a stn-
dent of the Newport high school. He is the fifth generation bearing the name of Amos Cook.
Lawyer Cook is a member of
EDWIN A. COOK.
Evening Star lodge, No. 37, I. O. O. F., of Frontier encampment of New- port, and of Crescent canton of St. Johnsbury, and has passed all of the chairs of both the local bodies. He is a member of the Grand lodge, I. O. O. F., of Vermont, and Grand Patriarch of the Grand encamp- ment of Vermont. Mr. Cook also affiliates with Memphremagog lodge, F. & A. M., of Newport.
HILDRETH, D. L., is one of the oldest and most influential citizens of Newport Center, and has acted well his part in private and public life. He was born in Milan, New Hampshire, in 1831, came to New- port in 1856, and four years later engaged in trade at Newport Cen- ter, where, in 1862, he was ap-
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
pointed the first postmaster. He removed to North Troy in 1868, en- gaged in the watch and jewelry trade, and was the town clerk of Troy. In 1872, as the head of the firm of Hildreth, Young & Co., he engaged in the portrait copying business, residing for a time in Phil- adelphia. The firm employed a large canvassing force, and con- ducted a successful and extensive business. Returning to Newport Center, by reason of failing health, he was for a time engaged in mer- cantile life.
In 1886 he was a member of the legislature from Newport, and has held many other public positions, but during the past few years he
D. L. HILDRETH.
has devoted his time mostly to his fine dairy farm.
By his first wife, Martha A. Will- iams. Mr. Hildreth had one daugh- ter, Flora A., wife of Frank Rich-
ards, a merchant in Philadelphia. By his second wife, Lydia W. Young, two sons were born: Fred L., a jeweler now in Barton, and Frank N., in business in Philadel- phia.
Irvie Gretchen, eight years old, only daughter of Fred L., has al- ways lived at grandpa's, and is the light of the household.
ERWIN, DR. CHARLES L., son of Ralph and Jane (Riley) Erwin, was born at Sheldon, Vermont, Feb- ruary 5, 1844. He was reared upon a farm and educated in the public schools and at the Frauklin acad- emv.
He had begun reading medicine with his brother, Dr. Ralph Erwin of Malone, New York.
When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in Company L, First Ver- mont cavalry, during the summer of 1862. He was on detached ser- vice at the hospital at Frederick City, Maryland, during the last two years of the war, where he contin- ued his medical studies under Dr. Bartholf, a surgeon of the regular army.
After the close of the war, he completed a course at the medical department of the University of Vermont, from which he graduated in 1867. He immediately settled in Newport Center, where he has re- mained until the present time, and is the dean of the medical profes- sion in town in continuous and active practice.
Dr. Erwin is a forceful person- ality, and has borne an active part, and exercised an important in- fluence in the public affairs of his adopted town. He has been health officer, both of the village and town. He is a member of the Vermont
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
Medical association, also of the Or- leans County Medical society, of which he has held all of the offices. Dr. Erwin is a member of Mem- phremagog lodge, F. & A. M., of Cleveland chapter, and Malta com- mandery, and is a Shriner.
He married, in 1884, Ella, daugh- ter of George L. Sleeper, Esq., of Newport Center, and they have had three children: Marjorie, Barbara,
CHARLES L. ERWIN, M. D.
and Charles L. Erwin, Jr. (de- ceased).
Dr. Erwin has a fine dairy farm of three hundred acres near the vil- lage, where he indulges his taste for good stock. Some eight years since he completed a fine public water system for the village of Newport Center; the water drawn from mountain springs to a large reservoir and thence distributed. This is an enduring monument to his enterprise and public spirit.
After filling the exacting de- mands of an extensive practice, Dr. Erwin has found time to serve the town nine years as selectman, seven years as chairman, and two years as superintendent of schools. As a Republican he was elected to the legislature in 1876, again in 1882, and was a senator from Orleans county in 1894. In 1896 he was ap- pointed one of the supervisors of the insane, and held that position six years. Dr. Erwin has a fine pro- fessional and general library, and is well versed in the literature and current topics of the day.
ROGERS, HON. NATHANIEL S., son of Nathaniel and Mary (Smith) Rogers, was born in Moultonbor- ough, New Hampshire, in 1840. In 1845 his father moved to Newport Center, where he commenced to clear and cultivate a farm, the son assisting and attending the public schools. The father, at the age of fifty-seven, enlisted in Company H, Fifteenth Vermont regiment, was captured by Moseby, confined in Libby prison, exchanged, and re- turned home broken in health. Af- ter his father's return, inspired by patriotism, he enlisted September 15, 1863, in Company M. Eleventh Vermont regiment. At the battle of Spottsylvania, May 18, 1864, he was the first man wounded in his regiment, which resulted in the loss of his right leg, and he was discharged from the Mont- pelier hospital September 15, 1864.
Returning to Newport Center, having purchased his father's farm, he carried it on until the death of his parents. He moved to his pres- ent village residence in 1880. Nat- urally a Republican, as such he has
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
held many positions of trust. In 1880 he was elected justice of the peace, and has held that office until the present time, as trial justice. In 1892 he was elected associate judge, and filled that position two terms. For several years he has been the trusted local agent of the Vermont Mutnal Fire Insurance company. He is serving his fourth term as second selectman.
NATHANIEL S. ROGERS.
Judge Rogers was united in mar- riage in 1866 to Mary E., daughter of Rufus and Philander (Oaks) Whipple of Newport Center. Three children were born to them: El- mer C., Ernest S. (recently de- ceased), and Jennie G. Hle is a member of T. B. Alexander post, No. 26, of which he was two years and more past commander. He has also held the office of assistant inspector, Department of Vermont. G. A. R. For many years he has B-9
been a prominent member of the Free Baptist church of this place, joining at 19 years of age, and is a most exemplary citizen.
PRATT, HERBERT HAMILTON, photographer, Newport, Vermont, was born in Berkshire, Franklin county, February 25, 1861. His father. Gillinon W. Pratt, was born and raised in the same town, and was a well-known farmer and busi- ness man. In the year 1872 he moved to Newport and established the first milk ronte in town. In the year 1812 he bought what is now the True & Blanchard block, and continued the grocery business of Paine & Morse, which he run about five years. Subsequently he en- gaged as undertaker, in which he continued for about seven years. Ile, desiring to be in a business which would keep him out of doors, engaged with the Lister Phosphate company of Newark, New Jersey, and became a most successful sales- man, continuing in the business up to the time of his death, April 12, 1901. He left a fine property. His widow is now living, and makes her home with the only son, Herbert, the subject of this sketch.
Being of an artistie tempera- ment, Herbert H. Pratt early turned his attention to photogra- phy. Ilis first studies in the art were in Anomosa, lowa, under E. M. Littlefield and M. M. Mott, as fine artists as could be found in the state. In the year 1902, owing to his father's death, he returned to Newport and bought out William H. Jenks, and has since run the leading studio in town. His busi- ness steadily increasing, he found it necessary to build a more com- modious studio, and in the year
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
1903 he constructed the only strictly art studio in this section. A site was purchased on the corner of Main and Bayview streets, di-
HERBERT H. PRATT.
rectly opposite the court house, and a modern building, complete in all its appointments, was erected. The operating room is 18x34, and has the latest single slant light and up-to-date equipments, including the Nichols' flash light and patent printing window. The reception room is finely furnished, and is 18x22. the walls being hung with about $200 worth of sample paint- ings, photographs, ete. The build- ing, as a whole, is 40x50 feet, two stories, with twenty-two foot posts. It has plate glass windows, 6x10 feet in size. The design was by Mr. Pratt himself, and is after the Western type of architecture. The building is practically fireproof; it is covered by pressed steel plates
and has an original method of ven- tilation. Besides the photograph business Mr. Pratt has a complete printing outfit and has turned out some very creditable job work, al- though he does not push this de- partment of his business. He also manufactures picture frames in great variety and of high order, having bought out this branch in connection with art supplies of the well-established G. W. Burbank concern about a year since.
On November 27. 1880. Mr. Pratt married Miss Gertrude M. Richmond of Anamosa. Iowa, and five children have been born of this marriage: Alta E .. born October 10. 1882; Sadie G., born April 25, 1887; Carl F., born November 11, 1890; Eva L., born December 3, 1893; William M., born June 20, 1896.
Mrs. Pratt and the two older daughters are naturally artistic and are of great assistance in the con- duct of the business .. Mr. Pratt is a member of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. T. W., and has the degree of honor in the same order, A. O. of M. W., and the K. L. S. Mrs. Pratt and daughters are active members of the Daughters of Re- bekah.
CONNAL, WILLIAM ROBERT, the subject of this sketch, is of Scotch descent: his father. Peter Connal, was born in Sterling, Scotland, un- der the shadow of the old historic Sterling Castle. His mother. Har- riet (Butler) Connal, was of Scotch descent and Puritanie lineage. Mr. Connal was born in Newport m 1859, and has always lived on the farm he now owns. Mr. Connal is a persistent student of agriculture and dairy husbandry, and is a fre-
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
quent contributor to agricultura! and dairy papers. Like Mr. Beecher, he believes "in small farms and thorough cultivation; that the best fertilizer of any soil is a spirit of industry, enterprise, and intelli- gence. Without this lime and gyp- sum, bones and green manure will be of little use."
Mr. Connal has held various town offices and he represented Newport in the legislature of
WILLIAM R. CONNAL.
1902-04, serving on the general committee, and is chairman of the county committee of "The Ver- mont Farmers' Legislative Organi- zation." Mr. Connal's specialty is the breeding of American Jersey Cattle Club Jerseys for foundation stock, of the Stoke Pogis-St. Lam- bert family. His herd contains some of the most excellent indivi- duals of the Jersey breed.
He married, in 1882, Ada L.
Smith of Irasburg. They have two young daughters, Velma Mildred and Helen Lucile.
Mr. Connal's brother, E. N. Con- nal of Burlington, Kansas, is con- ceded to be the foremost lawyer of his judicial district.
STICKNEY JOSHUA G. The subject of this sketch represents patriotism and good citizenship in war and peace. He was born in Lunenburg, Vermont, in 1840, but came to Newport at fifteen years of age, and worked on farms until the call for troops came in the summer of 1861, when he enlisted as a pri- vate in Company D, Sixth regi- ment, commanded by Colonel Nathan Lord. He shared the for- tunes of the regiment in nearly
JOSHUA G. STICKNEY.
every battle in which it was en- gaged, from Lee's Mills to Charles- town, Virginia, August 21, 1864, where he was so severely wounded
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
at the knee as to require two ampu- tations. He was discharged from the hospital October 6, 1865, with the rank of sergeant. after more than four years' faithful service. After two years' convalescence, he learned the shoemakers' trade, and worked at Newport, Bradford, and Derby Line, and later farmed half a dozen years at Newport. He settled at Newport Center in 1884, and for many years was constable and collector, for two years deputy sheriff and for the past seven years has been postmaster.
He married Etta Litchfield in 1876, and their four children are: Bertha E., Laura E., Lizzie G., and Charles J. Stickney.
Mr. Stickney is a member of Memphremagog lodge. F. & A. M., and a past commander of T. B. Alexander post, G. A. R.
WILLIAMS, FRANK CLIFTON, of Newport, son of Clifton and Marietta (Loomis) Williams, was born in Glover, May 12, 1853. His education was obtained in the pub- lie schools, the Orleans Liberal in- stitute and Goddard seminary. He clerked in the stores of D. L. Dwin- ell of Glover and D. P. Walworth of Coventry, and in 1877 entered into partnership with Homer Thrasher in Coventry in the mer- cantile business, later purchasing his interest, and continued in business there until 1892. He was town clerk and treasurer, a trial justice over ten years, and engaged in the lumber busi- ness and farming about the same length of time. In 1822 he mar- ried Helen Louise Burbank, daugh- ter of Samuel and Jane Coburn (Bowles) Burbank. Five children were born to them: Grace Helen.
Florence Eliza, Sam Clifton, Harold Frank, and Kate Mildred. All are living except Harold, who died in infancy. Mrs. Williams died in 1896, and in 1898 Mr. Wil- liams moved to Newport, and al- though 45 years old, studied law in the office of Cook & Redmond and was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1899, and immediately formed a partnership with E. A. Cook, one of the leading lawyers of Orleans county bar, and the firm is doing a good business. Mr. Williams was three years a member of the Ver- mont Board of Agriculture, and is now one of the judges of the court of claims, the other members be- ing the Hon. Frank Plumby and the Hon. Horace Graham.
Mr. Williams has been one of the trustees of the Newport high school for four years. and has two years more to serve, a village trus- tee one year, and re-elected for three years at the last meeting. Judge Williams has had a wide ex- perience in business affairs, is well and favorably known as an interest- ing speaker on agricultural and po- litical topics, and is in the best sense a representative Vermonter.
FLINT. ALBERT, youngest son of Frederick and Elvira (Richardson) Flint, was born on the home farm in Newport on January 25, 1867. He received his education in the common schools of his native town, and remained on the farm until two years since. Having a natural artis- tie taste, he came to Newport village and learned the photographer's art under one of the leading artists in the state. E. A. Walcott, now of Barton.
Mr. Flint's work has been chiefly confined to sittings, but he is now
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
prepared to do out-of-door work of all kinds, and in accordance with the highest skill of the art. He employs nothing but the best stock,
ALBERT FLINT.
and guarantees his productions to be second to none in artistic ar- rangement, quality of material, and finish.
FROST VENEER SEATING C'OM- PANY, B. W. Longeway, superin- tendent. The Frost Veneer Seat- ing company of Newport is one of the most extensive establishments of northern New England. The plant consists of ten buildings, five of large dimensions ranging from 50x100 to 55x115 feet, three stories. The company uses annually nearly a million and a half of the best hardwood timber and employs about 200 people. George E. Frost is a successful manufacturer, resident at New York city. W. C. Calhoun, general manager of all the plants of
the Frost Veneer Seating company, resides in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where the company operates an ex- tensive plant.
B. W. Longeway has been con- nected with this enterprise for nearly twenty years, has become fa- miliar with the various phases of the business, and is one of the pro- gressive young business men of Newport. We will give the reader a slight sketch of the modus oper- andi.
The logs which are not out up go to the bottom of the lake, which, inside the boom, is from six to twelve feet deep. It is essential that veneer logs be kept under water during the summer to pre- vent season checking and sap stain. They are taken from the lake by two men in a boat, and hauled into the mill from the slip by a bull chain worked by steam power. In the saw room the logs are cut in blocks from four to six feet long, put in the steam tank, and steamed from six to ten hours. From the tank the logs are rolled to the cut- ting room and the bark rossed off. They are then centered and with a crane are swung into the machine. The log rotates toward the knife. which is moving at a rate that can be gauged by the operator, so as to cut veneer sheets of required thick- ness, according to velocity of revo- Intion. After the log is rounded up it is possible to take the sheets off in a continuous piece to the core. which is six inches in diameter, and by the aid of little knives set at right angles to the log. the veneer can be cut any desired width. It is usually ent in squares from four- teen to twenty-one inches. It re- quires four men to operate the ma- chine. From the cutting room the
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
veneer is taken by an elevator to the dry room, where girls place the sheets in racks made for the purpose, and after being thoroughly dried it is sorted and graded ac- cording to quality and use. The company was organized in 1886, when the mill was bought of F. C. Bates, and the factory was erected the same year. Mr. Longeway has been advanced step by step through the different grades until, from a youth of thirteen years, he is now the general superintendent of the plant, and secretary of the com- pany. He is a graduate of the busi- ness department of the Newport
boyhood much of his spare time was spent in making some tool or de- vice. He made gun springs and scores of jackknite blades for the boys, butcher knives, razors, saws and many blacksmith's tools, such as hammers, sets of drills, etc., which the blacksmiths of the sur- rounding towns found better than the commercial kinds, as he was quite a master of the art of temper- ing steel. He would shoe a horse. often making the shoes he used. In faet, he made almost everything. from a pen-knife to a wooden bicy- cle and steam engine, and made most of the tools with which to do
FROST VENEER SEATING CO. NEWPORT. VT.
high school. At present he is one of the village trustees. He is a member and was for three years secretary of Evening Star lodge, No. 37, I. O. O. F. Mr. Longeway mar- ried, in 1897, Miss Martha L. Hunt of Newport, and they have one daughter, Doris A. Opportunities well improved make men.
SMITII. HENRY OSMER, was born in Irasburg in 1870. He is the son of Jonathan T. and Abigail R. Smith. He was brought up on a farm and was educated in the public schools of Irasburg and the village school of Coventry. At a very early age his mechanical abili- ties became apparent. During his
the work. While still a lad, he studied out many mechanical prin- ciples which, he found later, were correct. He has a strong, robust constitution, and at fourteen years of age he could mow more grass. pitch more hay, or chop more wood, than most men. Soon after he be- came of age he commenced work- ing at the carpenter's trade, and at intervals during two or three years took contracts for laying founda- tions for buildings, laying cellar walls, and doing other stone work.
In 1895 he married Flora E. Scott of Newport, and the follow- ing year moved to Newport village. where he has a fine house of his own
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
building. Since this time he has been engaged as a builder and con- tractor. His chief characteristics are a determined will, plenty of en- ergy and perseverance. He is pos- sessed of an artistic nature and originality of design, which enables him to give a grace and finish to his
Smith is not only one of the finest and fastest workmen, but by his ability and integrity has become one of the leading builders and contractors of Orleans county.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two young daughters: Isola Scott and Audrey Gladys.
HENRY O. SMITH.
work not often seen. His genial but determined disposition fits him well to oversee his employees. He possesses some knowedge of draft- ing, and has displayed considerable taste and skill in executing orna- mental work in wood carving.
Though still a young man, Mr.
FARMAAN, ALBERT WOOLEY, son of Willard and Isabel ( Brown) Far- man, was born in Troy, June 25, 1845. Willard Farman was a sol- dier in the Sixth Vermont regiment, and is a substantial farmer .. AI- bert's boyhood was spent upon his father's farm, and in attendance at
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
the district schools. His education was completed at Lyndon institute, under Principal Walter E. Ranger. He began the study of law with Hlou. Orien S. Annis of North Troy, meanwhile residing at his home. Continuing his legal studies in the office of Cook & Redmond, he was admitted to the bar in 189%, and during this period taught several terms of school. Soon after his ad- mission to the bar he opened an office in Foster block, Newport, which he now occupies. Mr. Far- man was a corporal of Company L, First regiment, Vermont National Guard, and with his company spent the summer of 1898 at the camp at Chickamauga, and was mustered out in October. After recovering from a malarial fever contracted at the camp, he returned to his law prac- tice the following January.
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