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 57
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 57
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 57
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Hampshire state troops under Cap- tain Paine, in the Revolutionary war. Captain Percival was born at West Glover, Vermont, Febru- ary 4, 1817, his father dying when he was but seventeen years of age, leaving a large family of small children. Orson became the head of the family, taking his father's place until they were grown. He married, in June. 1847, Miss Maria D. Frasier, of Albany. In 1844- '45 he was honored with the office of captain in the 14th Regiment of Uniform Light Infantry of Ver- mont. His early married life was spent on a farm near the vil- lage of West Glover. From there he moved to Craftsbury, where he remained one year, then moving back to West Glover, where his two sons were born. From West Glover he moved to Albany, thence to Burke, and later returned to West Glover. Later he located in Barton and finally settled in Glover, where the last sixteen years of his life were spent, and where, at the home of his son, Fred, he died on December 2, 1896, at the age of 79 years.
In his later years he took much pleasure in writing the family records of the oldest inhabitants of the town, which biographies ap- peared from time to time in the Orleans County Monitor. He kept a systematic and accurate record of the weather and the principal events of the town in the Vermont Register, and had preserved these records since 1840. He was at great pains to get the facts for a history of the town of Glover, in- eluding a minute account of Run- away Pond. This was the most complete history ever written of
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
the town, but was unfortunately destroyed by fire before its publi- cation.
Captain Percival, from time to time. held various important offices in the several towns where he re- sided. He was a staunch Repub-
torian and ready writer. It is in- teresting to note of his father, Asher Percival, that in 1806 he came from Norwich (Vermont) and commenced a settlement in Glover on a lot of land later known as the Mills place. He taught the first
ORSON PERCIVAL.
lican from the birth of the party, a man of unusual natural endow- ment, and, although his early op- portunities were limited, he, by persistent effort, gained a good education, and became known and respected for his fine literary tastes and abilities as a local his-
school kept by a male teacher in Irasburg, on Burton Hill, in Cap- tain Burton's back kitchen. He was clerk of the first school district in Glover for twenty years. His wife was also a successful school teacher. They raised a family of eight children-two sons and six
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
daughters. Asher Percival died
August 25, 1834. The mother died August 14, 18:0, in the seventy-sixth year of her age.
Charles F. Percival, the subject of this sketch, early showed signs of mechanical genins, which has
having a water wheel, pulleys, belts, shafting, etc., all made from the crudest material which his youthful hands could pick up about his country home. At the age of fifteen, in March, 1869, he bound himself for two years to C. H.
CHARLES F. PERCIVAL.
enabled him to build up and super- intend one of Barton's most val- mable industries. It was with a commendable pride that Mr. Per- cival showed the writer a foot- stool, having nicely turned legs. which he made when a lad of twelve years in a miniature mill,
Dwinnell of Barton. to learn cab- inet making, going to school win- ters. At eighteen, a partnership was formed with Mr. Dwinnell, and the firm continued the manu- facture and retailing of the furni- ture and undertaking business until September, 18:3, when Mr. Perci-
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
val bought out the entire business, and the March following formed a partnership for its continuance with Mr. F. T. Forsaith, which partnership continued until Octo- ber 22, 1877, when it was pur- chased entirely by Mr. Percival, who continued the same until May 1, 1889, when he exchanged the business with the late J. P. Bald- win for the water privilege and the land upon which is located the present buildings of the Percival Furniture company. This enter- prise had its inception about 1889, and the present company or- ganized in January, 1897. The fact that the institution began opera- tions on a small scale and that it has since developed its business and reputation until its products are familiar to the trade over the east- ern portion of the United States, renders this business worthy of more than usual consideration. The factory, as it stands to-day, consists of six buildings, having a floor space aggregating 36 thou- sand square feet. Forty efficient workmen are given constant em- ployment. The power for operat- ing the large amount of general and special machinery is furnished by the outlet of Crystal lake, developing at this point about one hundred horse-power. The pro- ducts of the factory consist of lounges, couches, students' chairs and rockers, foot-rests and bed lounges, Morris chairs and lodge furniture. From the rough, raw material of maple, ash, oak, and red birch some of the most exqui- site designs in frames are here pro- duced, and the year's designs placed upon the market by the Per-
cival Furniture company are equaled in pleasing effect by those of but few factories in the United States. In couches their dove- tailed construction is superior to any other make extant. In their frame work they have produced a construction that had never before been attempted, and most of the designs are exclusive. The Perci- val Furniture company judiciously acts upon the principle that the best is the most profitable for their customers, and, in the long run, for themselves also. The present members and officers of the com- pany are Messrs. C. F. Percival, president; O. D. Owen, vice-presi- dent; C. C. Baldwin, treasurer; and Fred J. Percival, clerk. President Percival was the original founder of the business, and it has grown under his influence and direction to its present highly prosperous pro- portions and now has few competi- tors equal to keeping abreast with them upon the market. Mr. Per- cival has been the leading spirit from the beginning. He is a man of great push and ability and de- votes his entire personal attention to the interest of the institution.
On September 29, 1875, Mr. Per- cival married Miss Naney A. Cassi- dy of Barton, and there were born of this union: Nellie M., February 22, 1877, who died at eleven years of age, and Fred J., September 18, 1880, who is now clerk of the com- pany and has charge of the carving department. Mrs. Percival har- ing died in May, 1891, Mr. Percival married, March 7, 1900, for his sec- ond wife, Miss Emma L. Clark, a highly accomplished teacher of Springfield, Massachusetts, and
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
there have been born to them, Lois E., May 13, 1901, and Laura MI., November 19, 1903.
Mr. Percival has always shown a deep interest in all that pertains to the best interests of his town, county, and state. He was the first to advocate the present town system of water supply, and the ef- ficient high potential system of electric lighting, enjoyed by Bar- ton and surrounding towns, is chiefly the result of his superior knowledge of modern electric lighting and public spirit. He was chosen chairman of the board of investigation and since its com- pletion has been elected by accla- mation as its manager for eleven successive years. For the past seventeen years he has been an en- thusiastic Mason, having passed all the chairs in Orleans lodge, No. 55, F. & A. M. He is also a mem- ber and officer of Keystone Chap- ter. No. 16. and is a member of Malta Commandery, No. 10, and of Orient Chapter, No. 16, O. E. S.
SKINNER, FRENCH & Co., whose principal business office is at Barton Landing, is a co-partnership com- posed of Chauncey S. Skinner and Carl D. French of Barton Landing, and Dean C. French, formerly a resident of the same place, but now residing in Boston, Massachusetts.
This enterprising firm com- menced business in 1892, purchas- ing a tract of abont twenty-five thousand acres of timber land in Maine. They immediately set about clearing the streams and building dams, and erecting their mills, which are on the line of the Cana- dian Pacific railroad at the junction of the north and south branches of
the Moose river. Here has grown up the little mill village of Skinner, composed of about twenty-five buildings, comprising saw and dress- ing mills, box shop, store, post- office, boarding-house, schoolhouse, and honses for the families of the help. The average annual output of said mills is about seven million feet of spruce.
Chauncey S. Skinner was born February 1, 1850, in Newport, Ver- mont. He is of American parentage and received his education in the common schools. He began his business career as clerk in a general merchandise store at Barton Land- ing. In 1814 he bought a half in- terest in the hardware business of his brother, Daniel Skinner, and in 1875 purchased the remaining half. In 1876 he sold out half of his in- terest to P. Guild, and after the expiration of one year, Mr. Guild bought the balance.
In 1878 he purchased the grist- mill property, repaired the build- ings, and increased the business. In 1883 Fred C. Brown bought a half interest in the business and the firm, Skinner & Brown, continued the business for nine years. Mr. Skinner, in 1883, went into the lum- ber business with E. L. Chandler near Newport Center. In 1888 he bought out Mr. Chandler's interest and continued the business for sev- eral years. He early exhibited those traits of character and that business tact which, in after life, contributed to the success of a career, which, to say the least, has been satisfactory in its results, both as regards the man himself and a well-earned rep- utation of a successful business life.
Mr. Skinner represented the town
B
MILL PROPERTY OF SKINNER, FRENCH & CO., LOCATED AT SKINNER, MAINE, HOME OFFICE OF THE COMPANY, BARTON LANDING, VERMONT,
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
of Barton in the state legislature in 1888, and was an industrious, popular, and efficient member of that body. He has been an ardent and liberal supporter of all matters that have contributed to the best interests of his village and town.
On June 1, 1875, Mr. Skinner married Miss Ella A. Brown and they have had born unto them the following children: Fred Chaun- cey. Ray Brown, Roy Daniel, and Ruth Marguerite. Fred C. was born September 7, 1878. He graduated from St. Johnsbury academy in 1898, and also from Albany Busi- ness college in 1899. He died May 10, 1902, at the age of twenty-four years. He was a most promising young man of fine attainments, both as a business man and a valuable as- sistant in the conduct of the mill business, genial in temperament, and a general favorite with all who knew him, and his loss was de- plored by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Ray B. and Roy D., twin brothers, were born August 2, 1884. They graduated from the graded school of Barton Landing with honors of scholarship and are now completing their course of study at the Uni- versity of Vermont. The daughter, Ruth M., was born July 10, 1891.
The senior member of the firm, Dean C. French, was born in Glover, February 11, 1839. He was edu- cated in the common schools and Glover institute. At the close of his school days he became interested in business enterprises and developed into a leading man of business. For many years he was in the lumber business in Orleans county as a member of the firms of Chandler.
French & Co. at Barton Landing, Caswell & French at Holland, and the Lowelltown Lumber company of Lowelltown, Maine.
He is a shrewd business man, of genial, kindly temperament, valuing his prosperity chiefly as it enables him to help others to help them- selves. He is a great reader and deep thinker, well informed on all issues of the day and a public-spir- ited citizen.
June 9, 1861, he married Miss Adelaide H. Dwinell of Glover, who died in 1883. Three children were born to them: Inez N., born May 7. 1863; Carl D., born January 23, 1866; and Meta D., born January 11, 1876, and died July 1, 1878. In January, 1893, he married Mrs. El- mina Blake.
Inez early showed a talent for music and after graduating from St. Johnsbury academy entered the New England Conservatory of Mu- sie in Boston, from which she grad- uated four years later, and after two seasons of study in New York she went abroad, where she studied for two years and a half in Leipsic and Paris. The last years of her life were spent in Binghamton, New York, where she died July 13, 1897.
After graduating from St. Johns- bury academy in 1886, Carl D. French, the junior member of this firm, became a partner of the Low- elltown Lumber company, and also of Whipple, French & Co., of Bar- ton Landing. As a citizen, he is among the enterprising men of his village and town, an active and gen- erous supporter of all measures that contribute to the mental, moral, and material interests of his com- munity. November 24, 1891, he
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
married Miss Annie E. Richmond. They have two sons: Gerald Dean, born March 12, 1893, and Paul Ken- drick, born March 29, 1897.
VALLEY, OLIVER, was born in West Glover, Vermont, October 20, 1847. His father, Moses Valley, moved to Vermont from Canada. At the age of twenty Mr. Valley married Miss Rosilla Panquett. They have one adopted child, Mrs.
OLIVER VALLEY.
James Revour, who resides with them.
Oliver and his brother, Joseph, some years since, bought a tract of wild land in the May Pond district. This beginning has resulted in adding to Barton one of its finest farming districts in the county. Some six years since this partner- ship was dissolved and a younger brother, Israel, joined Oliver in the stone business. This firm has pro- duced some of the best bridge work
in northern Vermont. Among other substantial improvements in which Mr. Valley may be mentioned is the tub shop, employing some fifty men, and the Dr. Pierce block, one of the best tenement houses in town. Mr. Valley has also been very active in building the new Catholic church, which is a great credit to the so- ciety.
STEPHENSON, WRIGHT & VAL- LEY COMPANY, THE, of Barton. This firm owns and operates one of the finest plants for the manufacture of high-grade spruce butter tubs in New England, and is one of Bar- ton's more recent business acquisi- tions, being an outgrowth of the C. B. Harding company, burned out on the same site a few years since, all three members of the present company having been financially in- terested in that concern. This en- terprising firm was organized in the fall of 1903, and has nearly com- pleted a most convenient and well- equipped factory. The main build- ing is 39x96 feet. two stories and basement, to which has been added a kiln 20x102, and a large store- house capable of storing about 60,- 000 tubs. Being situated near the railroad, and on the shores of Crys- tal lake, its convenience for handling logs by rail and water is second to none, enabling the company, by the aid of the latest improvements in machinery, to work its stock with- ont loss of time or labor into hand- some and well-finished goods, at the rate of 1,500 tubs per day. The plant is operated by a 150 horse- power engine and a 100 horse- power boiler. The new company expects to turn out from 300,000 to 500,000 tubs per annum, and a ready market is awaiting the prod-
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ORLEANS COUNTY.
uet, chiefly in the West. The goods are preferred to the hand-made tubs, and are very popular; the staves being shaved lengthwise and not sandpapered, do not absorb the moisture. The four sizes, 10, 20, 30, and 50, are usually furnished on special contracts exclusively, with an increasing demand. About fifty hands are to be employed, most of whom reside in Barton.
Mr. Stephenson, the senior part-
Goodheart, was born in the same town, as was, also, his mother. His father died there at the age of forty-eight, and his mother at six- ty-nine years of age. His grand- parents, on each side, were French Canadians. They were thrifty til- lers of the soil. The father of George was a natural mechanic, and taught his son the carpenter's trade, in which Mr. Goodheart has won distinction.
STEPHENSON, WRIGHT & VALLEY CO.'s MILLS.
ner, is a well-known merchant at Lowell, Vermont; the second part- ner of the firm is Dr. J. F. Wright, who for the past thirty-two years has been established in practice at Barton Landing: Mr. Oliver Valley resides in Barton village, where he is well and favorably known as a business man.
GOODHEART, GEORGE P., was born in Louisville, Province of Que- bec, in 1861. His father, Desire
Mr. Goodheart's first building en- terprises were at Three Rivers, Province of Quebec, where, among other buildings he had his first ex- perience in church construction, for which he has special capabili- ties. At Lenoxville, Province of Quebec, he had charge of extensive church construction. His next im- portant contract was that of the new and beautiful Catholic church at Barton, which is pronounced one
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
of the best constructed churches in northern Vermont. Mr. Good- heart had entire charge of this creditable work.
GEORGE P. GOODHEART.
Mr. Goodheart is a single man, and resides with the Rev. Fr. Tur- cott, giving much assistance in the parish work when not otherwise engaged. He is also an active member of the Catholic order of Foresters.
TURNBULL CREAMERIES, THE. We are very glad to be able to show our readers photographic re- productions of the Turnbull creameries, also a good likeness of Mr. Turnbull himself. Mr. Turn- bull's experience should be an in- centive for every ambitious butter- maker, for nearly any buttermaker of intelligence with plenty of hard work can hope to do just what Mr. Turnbull has accomplished.
Previous to 1891. Mr. Turnbull was making butter at a small
creamery at Glover, and after tak- ing a course at the Vermont Dairy school at Burlington, he went to Barton Landing and purchased a run-down creamery. By diligence, hard work and long hours, together with the practical knowledge of butter making (which is only gained by actual experience), he succeeded in putting the Barton Landing creamery on a profitable basis. This creamery was shortly afterwards rebuilt and in 1900 was again rebuilt and practically a new creamery installed, making one of the largest and best equipped creameries in the state. Mr. Turn- bull next purchased the creamery at Charleston, later built a new creamery at Newport Centre, Vt., and afterwards built creameries at Albany and Troy, making a total of seven creameries. In 1903 they made 1,483,984 lbs. of butter. It is interesting to know in this con- nection that Mr. Turnbull's make at the Barton Landing creamery for the first year footed up to but 31,191 lbs.
Mr. Turnbull incorporated his creameries with a paid-up capital stock of $25,000.
Mr. Turnbull is of Scotch des- cent, possessing the grit and stick- to-itiveness typical of the Scotch race, which knows no such word as fail. He is a man of striking per- sonality and one whose word is as good as his bond. He is very de- cided in his opinions and not easily changed when once he feels he is in the right. He is a director in the Citizens' Savings Bank and Trust Co., of St. Johnsbury, and in his part of the state is looked up to as being one of the most success- ful of business men.
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ALBANY, VT.
CHARLESTON. I T.
NEWDORT CENTER , 11.
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TROY.IT.
BARTON LANDING, VT.
J. G. TURNBULL CO.'S CREAMERIES,
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
CHANDLER, E. L. Co., Barton Landing, manufacturers of, and wholesale dealers in, dressed lumber of all descriptions; spruce and hardwood flooring, spruce and ash sheathing, eloth boards, packing
Woodworth, president, Concord, New Hampshire; H. B. Moulton, treasurer and general manager, Lis- bon, New Hampshire; F. S. Hall, secretary, Concord, New Hamp- shire. The board of directors con-
H. B. MOULTON.
boxes, butter tubs, piano sounding- boards, bars, bridges, etc.
This business was formerly con- ducted by the late E. L. Chandler, and was purchased by the Parker & Young company of Lisbon, New Hampshire, June 1, 1899. The officers of the corporation are A. B.
sists of the above-named officers to- gether with F. E. Thorpe, I. B. An- drews, H. E. Parker, and Edward Woods.
This company is the largest man- ufacturer of sounding-boards, piano backs, and various piano supplies in the United States, manufacturing
THE E. L. CHANDLER CO.'S MILLS, BARTON LANDING, VERMONT.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
and dressing at the Barton Land- ing plant twelve to fifteen million feet of spruce and hardwood lum- ber per year. They are also large manufacturers of butter tubs and boxes. During the last five years the number employed has increased from thirty to two hundred. The plant consists of two large two- story factories, one about 150 and the other 1:5 feet in length, both thoroughly equipped with new and improved machinery. Excellent engravings of these factories are presented herewith.
It is estimated that the company owns about one hundred and fifty million feet of growing timber, most of which is in New England. They own and stock several saw- mills in the surrounding towns.
DERBY. Population, Census of 1900, 3,274.
The state chartered the town of Derby, October 29, 1799, to Timo- thy Andrus and his associates. In 1880 the state legislature annexed the town of Salem, which was orig- inally granted to Josiah Gates, No- vember :, 1:80. This grant failed and Governor Thomas Chittenden, through two commissioners, sold the township to Colonel Jacob Davis of Montpelier, and the char- ter was issued August 18, 1781.
A survey of the land disclosed the fact that 5 .: 10 acres of the terri- tory was in the town of Derby. A large part of the remainder proved to be unavailable on account of be- ing covered by the lake. In 1816 the town was made still smaller by the annexation of all that part of the town lying west of the lake.
The first settlement in Salem was made by Ephraim Blake, March
15, 1798. The town was organized April 30, 1822.
The first permanent settlement in the town of Derby was made by Judge Timothy Hinman (an ex- tended article by his great grand- son, Col. Porter H. Dale of Island Pond, will be found appended). The biography of the Hinmans, Stewarts, and Carpenters makes a remarkably accurate history of this first town of Orleans county.
In the "great conflict" Derby no- bly bore her full share and lost in the service four commissioned offi- cers and forty-nine enlisted men.
The Congregational church at Derby was organized in 1806, with sixteen members. The Methodist Episcopal church at Derby was or- ganized in 1830.
DERBY ACADEMY, one of the leading educational institutions in Orleans county, is located in the village of Derby Center, in the midst of a quiet, secluded, and prosperous farming community.
In September, 1840, the school was organized and opened, and was known as "The Literary and Theo- logical institute," but in 1845 the name was changed to Derby acade- my, and the school was reorgan- ized on a non-sectarian basis. Over thirty years ago a commodious building was erected at a cost of $12,000, and about fifteen years ago a substantial endowment fund was raised among the alumni and friends of the school.
The work done is of the highest order, fitting students for any branch of college work, to teach and to take positions with business houses. Courses in chemistry, physics, elocution, and music, in ad- dition to regular work in English,
DERBY ACADEMY.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
languages, and mathematics, put this institution fully on a par with other institutions of its class in the state.
Derby academy has been peculiar- ly fortunate from the beginning, in having as promoters and patrons the prominent and influential citi- zens of the town and county.
Out of the many who have at- tended this institution, and gained honor and distinction in the various pursuits of life, and whose honor re- flects itself on their alma mater, are: Hon. Redfield Proctor, ex- governor of Vermont and present United States senator from Ver- mont; Charles K. Adams, ex-presi- dent of Cornell university; William Niles, bishop of the diocese of New Hampshire; the late Ossian Ray, ex- member of congress from New Hampshire; the late Judge Benja- min H. Steele of the Vermont su- preme court; Rev. Norman Camp; Hoel Camp, Esq., banker, Milwau- kee; Hon. Elisha Lane, Newport; the late Edwin Bates and Charles K. Bates, merchants, New York city; Hon. Zophar M. Mansur, ex- lieutenant governor of Vermont; Edgar O. Silver, Elmer E. Silver, and Albert A. Silver, of the pub- lishing firm of Silver, Burdette & Co., Boston, and many others con- spicuous in the business world.
An institution of learning which has so creditably sustained itself in the work of preparing young men and women for the struggle of life is a subject of just pride. Its high standing as a school, and its inter- esting record, its healthy locality and its pleasant environments, its quiet and seclusion, make it an ideal school in which to fit for college or for the business of life.
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