USA > Vermont > Franklin County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 30
USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 30
USA > Vermont > Lamoille County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 30
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
Bradford and John Powell were appointed a committee to lay out and survey into lots of 105 acres each, three lots to each pro- prietor, a right in said town, and to make an accurate plan and report the same as soon as completed. The report of the committee was re- ceived and accepted in 1806. Even this did not satisfy the conflicting interests, and in February, 1822. the proprietors appointed Asa Al- dis, Stephen Royce and John Pow- ell a committee to make a full and complete survey of the town, and a division among the proprietors,
376
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
either by draft or by voting to set- tlers the lots on which they were then located.
At the first freeman's meeting, held on the first Tuesday in Sep- tember, 1799, the 11 votes of the town were all cast for Isaac Tiche- nor, governor, and Jonathan Janes, representative.
The first bridge across the Mis- sisquoi was built at the mill pond, just above the dam, by Timothy Seymour of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1796. He also built a sawmill (a little later) near where the pres- ent mill now stands, and put into the mill a run of stones made from native granite, for the purpose of grinding corn.
The first store in town was owned by Amhearst Willoughby, and was located near the falls. He also built a distillery near the dam. About this time Samuel Shepherd built a trip-hammer shop on the north side of the river, and during the earliest years of the century considerable prosperity prevailed. In the spring of 1804 the high wa- ter took off the bridge and some of the shops and other buildings near the falls, inflicting great damage on the "infant industries," and this, together with difficulty regarding land titles, caused great depression, and resulted in the removal of sev- eral of the families. Following this came the non-intercourse or embargo act, the War of 1812-'15, and the cold seasons of 1815 and 1816, when few farm crops were raised, and the settlers faced a pe- riod of extreme scarcity, almost ap- proaching starvation.
In 1817 the third bridge across the Missisquoi was swept away, and the people crossed the river in boats until, in 1818, Hezekiah Goff built a new bridge, which he war-
ranted to stand for 15 years. In the year 1822 the Missisquoi again rose to a raging flood and carried away the sawmill, the gristmill, the cloth works, and also the bridge, thus completing a climax of disas- ters which had almost ruined the town.
The new survey was made, other settlers came in, and the town slowly but surely recovered and realized its normal growth. Enoch Carlton, with his son-in-law, Alden Sears, came about this time. Mr. Sears built and opened a store, later a hotel, and also a starch fac- tory on an adjacent brook, which for a time provided a cash market for potatoes. In 1870 the town of Richford bonded for $39,800 in aid of the two railroads, and the result has been a great development of the lumber interests and of manufac- turing.
Richford, with its large furni- ture factories, its veneer and gar- ment factories, its foundry, lumber mills, savings bank, and excellent schools and churches, is one of the most lively and prosperous towns of northern Vermont. It is the second largest port of entry in the state, the only direct entry port of oriental trade. It has a fine water system, electric lights, a grain ele- vator and excellent transportation facilities.
GOFF, GILBERT L., is 71 years old, a veteran of the Seventh Ver- mont Regiment and the oldest sur- viving member of the Goff family in Richford. Hezekiah Goff, his grandfather, a soldier of the Revo- lution, was with Washington at Valley Forge. William Goff, his father, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and he served four years and four months in the Civil War.
For many years William Goff
377
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
was the owner of the mill sites at Richford. He married Abigail Blaisdel and nine children were born to them, of whom eight lived to maturity.
Gilbert Goff married Mary Jane Corliss and they reared a family of three daughters and one son, Will- iam Corliss Goff, who has a family of five children, is a traveling sales- man, but resides on the old ances- tral farm of the Goff, Corliss, Pow- ell and Carpenter families.
CARPENTER, HON. SILAS PRATT. The subject of this sketch, during a period of half a century, occupied a foremost place in the business and public life of Rich- ford. He was born in Richford in 1821, one of the eight children of Jonathan and Patience (Rogers) Carpenter. His father was ac-
tively engaged in multifarious busi- nesses, conducting a farm, store, sawmill, starch factory, potashery, tannery, etc., and Silas was his early and efficient assistant, and early formed the systematic and strenuous habits which character- ized his long and successful career.
His mother was a daughter of Elder William Rogers, the first set- tled minister of the town, with 47 years' service, and who several terms was representative in the Legislature.
Mr. Carpenter was a man of sin- gular modesty, and never sought public office, although it was fre- quently conferred upon him, which he always discharged with signal fidelity and ability. He held the office of town clerk 33 years and the office of town treasurer 55 years. He was town representative in 1848-'49 and 1854, and county sen- ator in 1852-'53. In 1876 he was delegate to the Republican Na- tional Convention which nominated
Rutherford B. Hayes. In 1861 he was appointed chief deputy col- lector of customs at Richford, and held that office until 1885. The same year he was appointed assist- ant judge of the county court to succeed Hon. George N. Goff, who had resigned. He was elected as- sistant judge in 1886, 1888 and 1890. Mr. Carpenter was one of the organizers of the Richford Sav- ings Bank and Trust Company. and was treasurer from its incep- tion in 1875, until his death. He devoted the best energies of his riper years to the upbuilding of that institution, and other local business enterprises, which he aided with counsel and means. He as- sisted in the settlement of many es- tates, and his wise counsel and sym- pathetic advice were often sought and received in many emergencies.
Mr. Carpenter died, March 24, 1900, survived by two sons : Defor- rest W. and John H., both of Rich- ford.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH, Rich- ford, was a mission attended from Enosburg Falls, until May, 1899. The first Mass was celebrated here by Father Lyonnet in 1840. In 1865, Rt. Rev. L. De Goesbriand gave a mission here, aided by Fath- ers Caissy and Malo.
The lot for the church was bought August 8, 1872, and in 1873 Father Mailhot of Sutton, Canada, built a small church. The number of Catholics was then 120, comprising both Irish and French.
In 1875 Richford was connected with Enosburg Falls as a mission, and remained so until 1899, when Rev. N. O. H. Dorion was trans- ferred from Orwell, and appointed its first pastor. Work on the pres- ent church was begun April 7, 1902. It was completed at an expense of
378
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
nearly $40,000, one of the finest churches in the state, and dedicated October 11, 1903, by Rt. Rev. J. S. Michaud, Bishop of Burlington. The address was delivered by Rev. D. J. O'Sullivan. The Catholics here have a cemetery, which was deeded May 20, 1889.
-
REV. N. O. H. DORION.
Father Dorion is recognized as an able preacher, a devoted pastor, and is endowed with such delight- ful social and personal attributes that he has become universally popular and esteemed, not only among his own parishioners, but with all classes.
The efficiency of his work is well attested by the fact that the parish now includes nearly six hundred Catholics.
PELTON, DOCTOR ROLLIN M., son of Lyman E. and Julina Ware Pelton, was born in Highgate, Sep- tember 26, 1865.
His father was a well-known lawyer of Franklin County, for 60 years in practice in Highgate, and died at the great age of 95. Rollin was one of a family of seven chil- dren, of whom five are now living. He was educated in the public and select schools of Highgate, and at the age of 18 began reading medi- cine with Doctor E. A. Bates of Highgate. He graduated from the medical department of the Univer- sity of Vermont in 1888, and the next January located at Richford, where he has since resided, pursu- ing an extensive practice in this and adjoining towns.
Doctor Pelton is a member of the Franklin County Medical Society, of the Vermont Medical Society, and of the American Medical As- sociation. He is the local medical examiner of several fraternal and insurance organizations, and for several years was health officer of Richford. He owns and manages two farms in this town for profit and recreation. He has entered with hearty interest into local af- fairs and has achieved an excel- lent personal and professional standing. He has held various town offices and represented the town in the Legislature of 1900. In June, 1906, he received the nom- ination as senator for Franklin County, and was elected at the Freeman's meeting in September. He served as chairman of the com- mittee on highways and bridges and as a member of the committee
ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, RICHFORD.
00.00
I
--
380
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
on education, the committee on printing and the joint standing committee on public health. No- vember 21 Governor Proctor ap- pointed him one of the supervisors of insane for six years from December 1, 1906.
COMINGS, HERBERT CALVIN,* whose portrait is given herewith, is one of Richford's most energetic, progressive and successful young business men and has done much to build up her commercial and industrial prosperity.
ROLLIN M. PELTON, M. D.
Doctor Pelton married in 1893 Susie C., daughter of Colonel L. C. Leavens of Richford, who died a year and a half later. He mar- ried for his second wife, Clara A., daughter of Captain A. J. Merrill of Richford.
Mr. Comings was born in Berk- shire November 17, 1863, the son of William H. and Betsy (Ham- mond) Comings, and was educated in the common schools of his na- tive town and at Franklin Acad- emy. Until 20 years of age he
* Sketch by M. J. Maloney.
381
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
labored diligently on his father's farm, and in habits of persistent industry laid the sure foundation for his future success in the broader fields of trade and manu- facture. In 1883 he came to Rich- ford and found employment in Richard Smith's drug store. A
becoming Powell & Comings, and so remains. The business of the firm is one of the largest of its kind in Franklin County. Much of the success is due to the fine business sagacity of the junior partner.
In 1890 Mr. Comings saw a
HERBERT C. COMINGS.
few months after Mr. Smith sold his business, and Mr. Comings se- cured employment in C. A. Powell & Co.'s hardware and furniture store. To his new work he applied himself so faithfully that on Jan- uary 1, 1887, he was admitted to the firm as a partner, the firm name
chance to broaden the sphere of his business activity, and purchased an interest in the firm of I. J. Sweat & Co., furniture manufacturers, of Richford. To handle the increas- ing business more capital was needed, and in 1895 the firm was succeeded by a corporation entitled
382
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
"The Sweat-Comings Company," with a capital of $24,000, and Mr. Comings was made its manager and treasurer, positions he has con- tinuously held. Although still re- taining his interest in the firm of Powell & Comings, Mr. Comings gave his best efforts to the devel- opment of the business of the Sweat-Comings Company, with the result that in 1904 the capital stock was increased to $80,000, the grist- mill and sawmill on the falls were added to the company's plant, and in 1905 the business of the com- pany had increased to more than four fold. During these years the company has distributed to its stockholders large and satisfactory dividends, and the corporation stands today a monument to the excellent business ability of its or- ganizer and manager.
In 1900 Mr. Comings aided in organizing the Richford Manufac- turing Company, successor to the Richford Furniture Company, whose plant was destroyed by fire that year, and of which he is a director. In 1905 he became a stockholder in the Richford Sav- ings Bank and Trust Company and the First National Bank of Enos- burg Falls, and is a director in both corporations.
Notwithstanding his incessant business activities, Mr. Comings has found time to indulge some- what in politics. Besides holding various town and village offices, he represented Richford in the Gen- eral Assembly of 1898, being elected as a Democrat from a strong Republican town. In 1900 he was the candidate of his party for, secretary of state; in 1904 he was a delegate from Vermont to the Democratic national conven- tion at St. Louis, and this year of
1906 he was honored by the Demo- cratie county convention by a nom- ination for county senator, all of which testify to his high charac- ter as a citizen and to the esteem in which he is held by his fellow- Democrats.
In 1887 Mr. Comings was mar- ried to Miss May Bowen of Berk- shire, and of their happy union one son, Herbert Bowen Comings, was born February 26, 1889.
In all his early life, in his long business career in Richford, the breath of scandal, the suspicion of dishonesty, or selfishness, or mean- ness has never tinged or clouded his character. With but little ex- ternal help, from humble and cir- cumscribed beginnings, by self- directed, honest effort, he has grown and broadened into an ac- tive and prominent factor in the commercial and industrial life of his town and county.
In his private relations of hus- band, father, friend, Mr. Comings is one of the most loyal and lovable of men. He is kind, courteous and genial, and he has never turned away from the poor and distressed ; and if all those to whom he has done acts of kindness would but whisper their gratitude it would make an anthem sweeter than words can tell.
HOPKINS, ETHAN FAY, son of Ethan Fay and Betsey (Gross) Hopkins, was born in Richford, June 11, 1852. His father, a car- penter and joiner by trade, died when Fay was an infant, leaving the widowed mother with three small children, in destitute circum- stances. With his mother and two sisters he went to live with his grandfather, Joseph Gross, a farmer of Richford, where he re- mained until he was 14 years of
383
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
age. Residing two miles from school, his educational advantages were very limited. After work- ing out on farms in his native town four years, he went to Marl- borough, New Hampshire, and en- gaged in the wood-working factory
Sweat Company, as a contractor and house builder.
In 1890 he bought a one-sixth interest in the concern, and became foreman of the works, under a gen- eral manager. This move was not a success financially. Mr. Hopkins
ETHAN FAY HOPKINS.
of Levi Fuller, where he remained two years. He then returned to Richford, where he has since re- sided, with the exception of one year at St. Albans. Naturally in- genius, he learned the joiner's trade, and followed it for about fif- teen years, during the last half of that period in the employ of I. J.
argued repeatedly that it could be made to pay if run on the right principles, but not until the man- ager had decided to shut down the works as a failure could he get a chance to prove this to the com- pany. He then, in company with the present manager, Mr. H. C. Comings, agreed to make and de-
-
384
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
liver on board cars at Richford, 1,000 suites of furniture at a fixed price. Mr. Comings at that time was operating a hardware store in company with Mr. C. A. Powell, and being a good financier was well qualified to look after the financial end of the job, in buying the sup- plies, keeping time, paying the help, etc., while Mr. Hopkins was looking after the manufacturing of the goods. His long experience in handling men and materials gave him explicit confidence in the suc- cess of the enterprise, so much so that they agreed to stand all losses that might occur. But at the end of three months instead of a loss they had a good profit left to them- selves. They also had demon- strated the fact that the business could be put on a paying basis. This was in the fall of 1894. The concern then became a stock com- pany, Mr. Hopkins becoming a di- rector and superintendent and later vice-president, a position he has since held and for which he is am- ply qualified by long experience, good judgment, energy and un- questioned integrity. Since that time the manufacture of furniture has become the leading feature. The company has a capital stock of $100,000 and employs at the sawmill, gristmill and factory a working force of thirty-five to forty men. Mr. Hopkins is the typical New England manufac- turer, a laborer who has become also a capitalist, but still retains his interest and sympathy with his em- ployees.
Mr. Hopkins married in Novem- ber, 1874, Abbie, daughter of C. L. Bliss of Richford, a true help- meet. They have an interesting family of three sons and one daughter. Clyde B. Hopkins is a
foreman in the flour sheds of the Canadian Pacific Railroad at New- port; Clair H. is a bookkeeper in a live stock commission firm at South Omaha, Nebraska; Bertha Kath- eryne, a graduate of the Richford High School, and Charlie remain with their parents.
Mr. Hopkins furnished a home for the declining years of his mother and grandmother, and also for his father-in-law, Mr. Bliss. He is a member of Missisquoi Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., of Rich- ford. In politics a Democrat, he was elected to the Legislature in 1902 by a large majority in the strongly Republican town of Rich- ford, an emphatic tribute to his local standing.
RUSTEDT, HENRY E., was born in England, December 25, 1847, and was drowned at Richford, March 27, 1904.
He was the son of a Congrega- tional minister, and came to this country with his parents in his youth.
Mr. Rustedt was educated at Barre Academy and at the Univer- sity of Vermont, where he gradu- ated in 1871 with the degree of A. B. He taught several terms at Bakersfield South Academy, and while there read law with Judge Henry R. Start; was admitted to the Franklin County bar in April, 1873, and formed a law partner- ship with Judge Start. Mr. Rustedt located in Richford in 1874, and the partnership was dis- solved. In 1889 he formed a part- nership with Wallace B. Lochlin, which continued until Mr. Rus- tedt's death. He was state's at- torney of Franklin County, 1880- '82, supervisor of schools of the county, 1889-'90, and county ex- aminer until the time of his death.
385
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
He was superintendent of schools of Richford for 12 years prior to his death, and was a prime factor in the educational system of the town and county. He held various town offices, including that of mod- erator, and was first clerk of the village corporation. As a Repub- lican, he represented Richford in the Legislature in 1894, was a mem- ber of the committee on education
HENRY E. RUSTEDT.
and has been a member of the state library commission since its crea- tion that year, until 1903.
Mr. Rustedt was a careful, thor- ough and efficient lawyer, consci- entious and reliable as counsel. He possessed the judicial temperament and was widely and favorably known as a special master in chan- cery and as a referee. In 1899 Mr. Rustedt was elected vice-president of the Richford Savings Bank and Trust Company, and held that po- A-26
sition until his lamented death. He had settled many estates and his judicious counsel was often sought by a wide circle of friends. In religious belief he was a Con- gregationalist. He was a good type of the upright man and Chris- tian gentleman.
He is survived by his wife, for- merly Miss Laura Brigham of Ba- kersfield, and their three children: Marian B., M. Elisabeth and Henry F., all of whom have been students at the University of Ver- mont.
KING, ADDISON H., the well- known deputy collector of the port of Richford, was born at Georgia, January 9, 1874. His education was obtained in the public schools and academy of Georgia, and at St. Albans Academy. He successfully taught several terms of school in St. Albans and Fairfax, a help- ful experience educationally and financially. Mr. King chose the legal profession as the most con- genial to his tastes and abilities, pursued his legal studies in the office of Wilson & Hall at St. Al- bans, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1898, and the following May admitted to practice in the United States courts. He opened an office at Berkshire in October, 1897, and soon became a potent factor in the affairs of that town. He was elected superintendent of schools, moderator and town grand juror, was appointed deputy col- lector of customs at West Berk- shire, and remained in that capac- ity until January, 1903, when he was appointed deputy collector of customs, in charge at Richford, a position which he has since dis- charged with rare fidelity and abil- ity. The amount of collections at Richford in 1897 was $54,000, but
ADDISON H, KING.
387
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
they have more than quadrupled since that time. There is an ex- port business of about seven mil- lions annually at this port. It is the second largest port in Vermont, and the only port in the state which receives the oriental trade direct by steamship and the Cana- dian Pacific line, and is also a Chi- nese detention port. There is a force of 11 men regularly stationed here, with two more, a gauger and veterinary on call. A bill is pend- ing before Congress for the erec- tion of a new government build- ing here. The business is not only extensive, but very complicated, re- quiring the exercise of excellent legal and executive ability and dis- cretion. Mr. King has success- fully convicted in several import- tant smuggling cases, and effect- ually suppressed the practice.
He has taken an active interest in local affairs and held various posi- tions, being at present superin- tendent of schools. He married. April 18, 1900, Katherene Ladd Barnum of Boston. He is a char- ter member, and was the first chan- cellor commander of Richford Lodge, No. 25, Knights of Pythias ; also first captain of the Uniform Rank of Richford. Mr. King is a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 78, F. & A. M. of Enosburg.
DOW, DAVID T., son of Charles and Betsey (Stanhope) Dow, was born at East Richford, September 5, 1845. Benjamin Dow, his grandfather, a soldier of the War of 1812, came from New York state and settled in Enosburg. The Stanhopes were among the earliest pioneers of Richford, and Mr. Dow's grandfather was Captain Stanhope, a well-known militia captain. His schooling was very limited. Mr. Dow learned the
carpenter and joiner's trade of his uncle, and followed it nearly all of his active life. For nearly forty years he was a contractor and builder, and many buildings in this town and section show the finger- marks of his handiwork. He built nearly all of the houses at East Richford, which at the time of his birth contained only two buildings.
Mr. Dow has been a lifelong resident and closely identified with
DAVID T. Dow.
the local affairs of his native vil- lage. At 18 years of age he was serving as highway surveyor. At the age of 21 he was appointed jus- tice of the peace and held that office 16 consecutive years, and since that time. He also served many years as constable and col- lector of taxes, prudential commit- tee of schools, and town grand juror. He has faithfully filled various spheres of usefulness. He was a founder and builder of the
388
SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
Advent Church at East Richford, has acted as lay reader, and has taken charge of 263 funerals. Af- ter the establishment of the port of East Richford, October, 1904, at the earnest solicitation of Deputy Collector A. H. King, Mr. Dow was appointed the first deputy col- lector, and now acceptably fills that position.
He married, in 1870, Laura J., daughter of Hamilton and Sabrina Wilson of Richford, who died April 13, 1903, at 50 years of age. They were parents of 12 children : Erwin and Ervin, twins, deceased in infancy; Herman C., who mar- ried Maude McLucas, and Delbert N., who married Eva True, both re- siding at East Richford; Gertrude, deceased wife of Louis E. Arnold; Olin, deceased in infancy ; Leafy, deceased wife of Daniel Barnett; Frank C., of Worcester, Massachu- setts; Flossie C., who resides with her father; Von and Don, twins, deceased in infancy.
Mr. Dow is a useful and exem- plary citizen in every relation of life.
WHEELER, FRANK W., son of Frederick P. and Mary Ann (Dowd) Wheeler, was born in Bris- tol, October 5, 1848.
Captain Moses Wheeler, his grandfather, commanded a com- pany at the battle of Plattsburg, War of 1812. Doctor Frederick P. Wheeler practiced medicine 45 years in Bristol. The subject of this sketch was educated in the Bristol public and high schools. At 18 years of age he went to Mid- dlebury and learned the art of pho- tography of A. J. Stiles. Later he was engaged one year in the studio of T. G. Richardson of St. Albans. In 1872 he located in Richford and purchased a gallery of P. N. Bliss.
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.