USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > Jericho > The history of Jericho, Vermont > Part 23
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
On the south side of Main Street opposite the Barney Tavern several different parties have successfully carried on business. A large storehouse standing there was in 1848 fitted up as a store
271
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
by Erastus Field and Ferdinand Beach. The successive firms at this place after Field and Beach were Beach and (L. B.) Howe from about 1852 till about 1866, Henry M. Field and Hira A. Percival till about 1872, John A. Percival and Edwin E. Oakes till about 1874, when the store and goods were destroyed by fire. About 1881 Wareham N. Pierce, who had been in trade at the Center, built a large store on the same ground and carried it on till about 1891. Then it was sold to The Home Market, an in- corporated company, who rented to Suter and Lamphire, then to Charles S. Suter, who carried on a dry goods business on one side, and to B. A. Donaldson who dealt in groceries on the other side, then to Donaldson alone for his grocery business. In 1903 the store, D. E. Rood's harness shop adjoining on the east and the tin shop and dwelling house of Joseph Bissonette on the west, were burned, and they have not since been rebuilt. When Pierce built the store he finished off in the upper story several rooms for offices and a Masonic Hall, the latter being occupied by Macdonough Lodge several years.
OTHER INDUSTRIES .- One of the industries of the village was the distilling of rum and the manufacture of whiskey. The distillery was erected previous to 1824 by Thomas M. Taylor at the south end of the village near the present railroad trestle. For many years a large amount of rum was distilled here. Fred- erick Fletcher became a part owner with Taylor.
From first to last blacksmithing has called for the labor of many strong men. Subsequent to 1856 Jesse Door and Henry Parker had a shop across the street from the present store of E. B. Williams.' E. H. Prouty and Hubert Hebert and several others have followed the trade in the brick building on the hill- side. John Gerard carried on that business for H. M. and Anson Field in connection with their manufacture of pumps and tubing. In the shop below the covered bridge I. S. Dubuc, L. P. Carpen- ter, and since 1906 Jed T. Varney have worked in the black- smith and wheelwright industry, and in very recent days the repairing of automobiles has been added. Carriage painting is done here by Willis Marsh. Michael F. Martin for many years maintained a wheelwright and repair shop, as also did S. A. Wright at this village. Louis F. Paradee has been in that busi- ness.
272
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Anson Field, Sr., for many years before 1870 carried on the manufacture of furniture and the building of bridges. B. S. Martin has for forty years served the community as a jeweler, as did Albert C. Lowry for a short time. Among those who have followed the millinery business are Thankful Butts, Mrs. Susie Fassette, Mrs. Beulah Barney, Mrs. Lucia A. Smith, Mrs. S. B. Wells and Mrs. Lucy Martin. Mrs. Martin has been thus engaged for more than thirty years. E. H. Carter located here as dentist about 1860, but after three or four years removed to Burlington. Milton Ford about 1840 established an iron foundry east of the village on the Lee River road where he made iron castings and did all kinds of work usually done in a foundry, and he was succeeded by his son, Addison M. Ford, who continued the business till about 1890.
Harness making and repairing was done for many years by Orlin Rood in his shop located across the street from the Barney Tavern. The shop was burned in 1874 but rebuilt in 1875, and Mr. Rood continued in the business till his death in 1881. His son, D. E. Rood, who had been his partner, then became sole proprietor. In 1903 he was burned out and now occupies a shop adjoining his dwelling house near the railroad station. Peter Gomo, who had worked for the Roods, set up business for him- self in the building formerly the law office of L. F. Wilbur, and his son, Ernest, has continued it since the father's death in 1909, but has removed to a house near the depot.
A creamery has been maintained opposite the station since 1898. Y. G. Nay erected it at that time and operated it seven years. After changing hands several times, in 1915 it was pur- chased by the Jericho Cooperative Creamery Company. The dairymen in this vicinity have found it a convenient place to dis- pose of their milk.
A tin shop has been maintained here by Joseph Bissonette for nearly 50 years. His shop for many years stood just west of the old Beach and Howe store. All kinds of tin ware and sugar utensils were manufactured and a hardware trade con- ducted. Shoemaking for more than 20 years previous to 1903 was carried on by William J. Gibson. S. H. Clark followed the business here about 1886.
273
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
The grocery trade as a separate business has been conducted for the past 35 years at different places by Harlow N. Percival, B. A. Donaldson, Chesmore Bros., E. W. Curtis, H. T. Chase, and now by Frank E. Hanley.
HOTELS .- The hotel of the village, usually called "Barney's Tavern," burned in 1904, was built by Truman Barney before 1817 and was kept by him for a few years, but the landlords have been numerous. Among the first were John Delaware and Erastus D. Hubbel. James McNasser for several years before 1852 was its genial and enterprising host. Soon after 1852 the property came into the hands of Martin C. Barney, and it was kept by him and his wife, Maria, who served as landlady with great tact and ability, till about 1870. A part of the time Julius H. Ransom, their son-in-law, was associated with them in the business. After 1870 the hotel was rented to other parties, then sold to Solomon M. Barney, who ran it a year or two, and in 1880 sold to Ferdinand Beach. He thoroughly repaired it and named it The Beach House. It was leased to C. N. Percival, then to F. D. Gilson for about three years, sold to J. H. May, who conducted the house till 1891, then leased to Zeph Hapgood, who ran it several years, and then sold to William and Olive Fol- som. Its destruction in 1904 removed an old landmark. In 1905 Folsom purchased the house across the street recently owned by W. W. Ring, and kept it as a hotel till he died in 1909. Luther Prouty opened a hotel about 1865 in the brick house on Church Street where Hiram Tilley now lives, and ran it in connection with a livery stable till 1867, when he sold the property to L. M. Stevens. George Foster has now opened a boarding house on Mill Street that accommodates some employed in village industries and also travelers.
MILLS, FACTORIES AND WATER POWER .- On Brown's River are seven water privileges, six of which have been utilized in various industries.
Number One is below the covered bridge. On this site, on the west side of the river, Joseph Sinclair sometime before 1836 built a sawmill which did a flourishing business till it was carried away by a flood in 1903. The successive owners were Truman Barney, Truman Galusha, L. B. Howe, Henry Parker, R. M. Galusha, Alexander McLane and Rodney Barney, George
-
274
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Wright, Rodney Barney, Walter Debuc, E. W. Curtis and R. M. Galusha, and E. W. Curtis. While Curtis was the owner, it was swept away, and the site was sold to Joseph H. Williams and Co. On the opposite side of the river were three buildings below the bridge. The upper one was a factory for the manufacture of woolen cloth, the next one was used for carding wool and the third one for cloth dressing. The first one was built by Mat- thew Barney, the others by Truman Barney, his father, all of them about 1820. The first and third ceased to be used for the purposes intended before 1856, but the third was altered for card- ing wool and making cider and was so used till about 1900. The two lower buildings have been taken down. The factory has been used as a store and tin shop. The water power to run the factory has been taken from the dam above the bridge and that used in the lower buildings and the saw mill from the lower dam. Since the saw mill was washed away, its site has been used by Joseph H. Williams and Charles Laughlin for their granite works. Williams died in 1915. The firm has been doing a thriving business.
Number Two .- Above the covered bridge is the excellent water power Number Two. At an early period a cabinet shop and a starch factory were built and successfully run for many years by Anson Field, Sr. At this place George B. Oakes about 1848 and for several years manufactured starch from potatoes purchased at ten to fifteen cents a bushel. On this site the pres- ent grist mill known as the Chittenden Grist Mill was built by James H. Hutchinson about 1854. (See Chapter on Historical Jericho, also L. F. Wilbur's address). Hutchinson sold to Clark Wilbur and H. A. Percival, they to Beach and Howe, and later it was owned by L. B. Howe alone. Howe installed machinery for making flour by the roller process and it was one of the first mills in New England to adopt that process. He did a large business in making flour besides custom grinding. Frank B. Howe, son of L. B., about 1886 became a partner and upon his father's death in 1899 succeeded the firm. About 1904 he sold out to M. S. Whitcomb of Richmond, who ran the business till 1906, when the present owner, Charles F. Reavy, purchased the property. Mr. Reavy is doing a prosperous business.
275
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Site Number Four was occupied at an early date by John Bliss, who built a stone grist mill there. This was the second grist mill in this vicinity, the first having been built on water privilege No. 7. It was run as a custom grist mill successively by John Bliss; Bliss, Geo. B. Oakes and Truman Galusha in com- pany ; Geo. B. and Wm. E. Oakes; Wm. E. Oakes and O. H. Shaw until about 1866. Then it was conveyed to Ferdinand Beach and L. B. Howe and then to Beach alone, and fitted up and run for a short time as a pulp mill. Later it was leased to Louis P. Carleton, who manufactured wood combs. In 1877 Beach sold out to Henry M. Field, who did a flourishing business in manufacturing chairs till about 1883. About 1891 A. S. Wood purchased the factory and began the manufacture of small wood articles. Three years later he was succeeded by Warren E. and H. W. Buxton. This firm manufactures curtain rods, spindles, chair dowels, hubs and spokes for toy wagons, mallet heads and a large variety of other articles for which they use annually 150 cords of white birch.
On Site Number Five in the early history of the village Simon Davis built a saw mill and a factory for the making of pumps and tubing. This business was greatly enlarged by him and his son-in-law, Henry M. Field, about 1856, and was still more extended by Henry M. and Anson Field. For many years and till about 1900 it supplied a wide territory in New England and Eastern New York with wooden pumps and water tubing. They are not now made, as iron pumps have taken their place.
On Site Number Six John Oakes before 1840 built a saw mill that has been operated for the manufacture of large quantities of lumber by John Oakes, Wm. E. Oakes, Hiram B. Fish, H. M. Field, Anson Field, E. W. Curtis and Stephen Curtis successively to the present writing. On the south side of the river H. M. Field about 1872 established a plant to supply the village with water, by erecting a tower and using the water power at this place to pump water from Brown's River into a large tank placed in the upper part of the tower. From this the water is conveyed through pipes to the houses of the village. This plant was soon after transferred to Anson Field and operated by him till his death in 1913, and is now operated by R. B. Field.
276
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Site Number Seven, known as the Buxton Mill Privilege, has an interesting history. But for this see Buxton family, Wil- bur's Address and Historical Jericho in this volume.
On the north side of the river E. B. Williams in 1910 built a two story lumber mill. He annually manufactures about 800,- 000 feet of lumber.
SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ETC .- The learned professions and schools are treated elsewhere in this book. In the center of the village on Church Street stands a large two story Graded School building where three teachers are employed to instruct the chil- dren who gather there. The village is well supplied with churches that are located on Church Street. The Baptist and Methodist societies have each a fine church building erected in 1858. The Congregational Church building is a handsome brick edifice on a large green and was erected in 1825 and 1826. The Congrega- tional and Baptist buildings are each equipped with an excellent church bell. Each of these two societies has a resident minister, and the Methodist is supplied from Underhill. George B. Hul- burd, who came here in 1894, is the resident physician and a prac- titioner of recognized ability. Dr. William Cashmore has a wide reputation as a skilful veterinarian. L. F. Wilbur is the only lawyer here, and has been in the active practice of his profession since 1857.
The village in addition to its public buildings and places of business has seventy-five dwelling houses with well kept lawns and the streets are lined with elms and maples. The cemetery at the rear of the brick church has many fine monuments and is admirably cared for by the incorporated Jericho Cemetery Associ- ation which has funds for that purpose. The views from this spot and from many places in the village are superb. They cover a wide range of territory including Mt. Mansfield and Camel's Hump on one side, Mt. Marcy and Whiteface on the other, vari- ous peaks of the Green and Adirondack mountains, and hills and woods and farms in every direction.
The Burlington and Lamoille R. R., owned by the Central Vermont and operated by the Grand Trunk R. R., strikes the vil- lage near the east and west ends. The station accommodates not only the people in the immediate vicinity, but those at Jericho Center, the east part of the town, West Bolton, and eastern part
277
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
of Essex. The convenient railroad accommodations, the excel- fent churches, the good school and the abundant water power, which might be utilized to a much larger extent, combine with other attractions which have been mentioned to make a strong inducement for people to come hither for residence and for busi- ness purposes.
THE BUSINESS INTERESTS AND THE BUSINESS MEN AT RIVERSIDE.
By C. H. Hayden.
WHITCOMB & DAY STORE.
The most important business stand, in the past at least, has been the old white store commonly called the Whitcomb & Day Store. This building originally was a tin shop. Then it was fitted up for a Union Store, with Edward S. Whitcomb, Sr., as agent. Later, however, Mr. Whitcomb had a stock of merchan- dise of his own. May 1, 1865 his son Edward S. Whitcomb, Jr., formed a partnership with Buel H. Day under the firm title of Whitcomb & Day, who continued a flourishing business for many years, their annual sales often exceeding $60,000. This enter- prising firm interested themselves in other lines of business such as manufacturing cheese and later operating the steam mill and kindred activities.
These varied interests proved to be the means of support for many families and brought to this community much other busi- ness. For a further description of the cheese factory and the steam mill, see Day genealogy.
In about 1880 Whitcomb & Day sold their stock of merchan- dise to L. H. Chapin, who continued an excellent business for 10 years. His successor was Barney Ell Mead, who did business only a few years. In 1894 C. H. Hayden moved a stock of mer- chandise from Essex to this store, where he continued to do business until 1911, when he moved across the green to a newly fitted store of his own, where he still continues in general mer- 19
4
278
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
chandise business. The Whitcomb & Day store was soon oc- cupied again by John A. McKeefe, who at the present time is en- gaged in meat and grocery business. Few business stands have been so widely and favorably known as the Whitcomb & Day store.
THE DRUG STORE.
Early in his practice Dr. A. F. Burdick fitted up a Drug Store opposite his residence, which for several years was con- ducted in his own name. Later, however, Dr. W. S. Nay be- came associated with him. For many years now Dr. Nay has continued the drug business, at one time having had as a partner Mr. Leonidas Hanaford, and later H. W. Rockwood, but at the present time Dr. Nay is the sole owner. About eight years ago the drug store and contents burned to the ground. Dr. W. S. Nay in his usual energetic and business like way has built a fine block upon the original site and is continuing the drug business at the present writing.
THE THOMPSON STORE.
About 1886, Mr. Homer Thompson began the erection of a store near the Underhill line and the railroad. This store Mr. Thompson stocked at once, doing a considerable business in groceries and farmers' supplies of a very general variety, includ- ing wagons and machinery. Mr. Thompson soon fitted up a building for tinware and hardware, and later erected a com- modious grist mill just across the railroad track and yet within Jericho limits.
Mr. Thompson thus did a very extensive business until his decease in 1895. This business in all the different branches was continued by his administrator, Thos. W. Thorp, until his decease in 1899. Mr. Ira W. Thorp, administrator of both estates, gradually closed out the stock of merchandise, tinware and hard- ware. Hulette and Grace next stocked the store with groceries and a general line and continued to do business a few years. After their removal, Mr. Joseph Bissonette occupied the store a few years with a stock of tinware and hardware. C. N. Stygles then purchased the store property, stocked very heavily in general merchandise and did a very extensive business for around 10
279
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
years, and in turn sold his interests to Brown & Nay, which en- terprising firm is now carrying on the business.
Mr. Ira W. Thorp as administrator continued the feed busi- ness in the grist mill for several years, selling out his interests to L. H. Pendleton, who greatly improved the property and built up an extensive trade. Mr. Pendleton sold to J. E. Foster who is the present proprietor.
E. J. Gallup & Son succeeded to the tin and hardware busi- ness, building up a fine trade, and at the present time are erecting a new block to care for their growing business.
Thus it will be seen that various business enterprises have been gathered around the Thompson store, which has proven central in fact, and almost ideal as a business stand.
UNDERTAKING.
Nehemiah Prouty was, so far as the writer knows, Jericho's first undertaker, who lived and did business on Lee River. Tru- man Whitcomb, however, was the first to locate at Riverside, doing business only a few years. He sold to James Hayden in 1882, who continued the business until his decease in 1890. Mrs. Jas. Hayden & Co., represented by Edmund L. Martin, continued the business until 1895, when it was purchased by C. H. Hayden the present owner and proprietor. Mr. S. S. Thompson also did undertaking for several years from his residence on Lee River. This business was purchased by Wesley A. Church, who soon sold the stock and equipment to C. H. Hayden, but who for several years continued to do business for Mr. Hayden. And upon his removal to Jonesville Frank G. Pease became Mr. Hayden's representative, in which capacity Mr. Pease continues at the present time.
Mr. George Planck for several years did undertaking at Jericho Corners in connection with furniture business.
BUSINESS MEN.
Of course it would be impossible to speak of all the men who have done business at Riverside. The two who stand out as especially capable are Mr. Whitcomb and Mr. Day. Of Mr. Day's activities there is quite an account in the Day genealogy
280
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
and in other places in this volume. It ought to be said that these two men, of fine ability individually, when associated together became an especially strong firm. When Mr. Day removed to New York City, it became Mr. Whitcomb's part to dispose of the company effects and collect in the unpaid accounts. Succeed- ing remarkably well in this, he continued the cheese factory busi- ness until cheese making gave place to the separator and butter making. Then he built up a very fine insurance business, all of which yielded him good returns putting him in very comfortable circumstances.
His activities, as was true of his partner Mr. Day, extended to church, school and town interests. Mr. Whitcomb's 25 years of service as superintendent of the Congregational Sunday School was of great moment to the youth of our community. As a school director and town superintendent of the public schools his judgment was of great value, as lister and selectman he rendered fine service to his town.
When Mr. D. W. Knight came in possession of the steam mill, matters had been going rather badly, and not so many of the recent proprietors had made so much of a success as they could have wished perhaps. Mr. Knight, however, because of his knowledge of the business proved to be the right man for the place and did a large and lucrative business for several years.
Of the men who have moved from town and became es- pecially successful, we refer to D. G. French, who is at present president of the Arnold Print Works of North Adams, Mass, a very responsible position. Mr. French is rated as a millionaire. Mr. Eugene Bliss, son of Samuel Bliss, went to the great city of Chicago and his rise in the business and financial world has been phenomenal. He is easily a millionaire, is president of the Metropolitan Trust and Savings Bank of Chicago, and is also president of the S. E. Bliss Shafting Co. Several young men from this section of Jericho are doing especially well, among them Mr. Carl E. Day, son of Buel H. Day, at present a member of one of Chicago's largest coat and suit manufacturing firms.
Mr. Hiram B. Day, son of Byron Day, has been a notable success in the business world, being now a member of the firm of Pray, Small & Day, cotton goods brokers, New York City.
EDWARD S. WHITCOMB, JR.
28
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
The four Knight brothers all, though young, are attaining excellent positions in the business world. Frank W. Knight is the eastern sales manager for the Empire Separator Co., Bloom- field, N. J. Arthur L. Knight and Fred A. Knight are with the Sharples Separator Co., West Chester, Pa. Merton R. Knight is with the Gen. Electric Co., Schenectady. Doubtless there are many others whose names might be referred to with equal pro- priety of whose circumstances the writer knows nothing.
JOSEPH BROWN. MRS. TRIPHENA BROWN BARNEY. MRS. JOSEPH CADY BROWN. (Reproduced from paintings by David Brown, a noted portrait painter and brother of Henry Brown's father).
283
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
PART SEVENTH.
THE BROWNS.
Edited by C. H. Hayden.
Probably there is no feature of the early history of Jericho that is more interesting than the episodes connected with the Brown settlement; possibly no family exhibited greater courage and real strength of character than did the Browns. It is not the purpose of the writer to extol unduly, merely to discharge the debt of gratitude that I, in common with others, owe these first settlers.
It was true nobility of purpose that induced this family to leave what we have every reason to believe were comfortable surroundings in Connecticut to make for themselves a home in the forests of Vermont. Only by persistency and perseverance could they make progress in their journey northward. Their very needs taught them to invent the means to supply those needs, and a brave spirit enabled them to meet privations and want, face the rigors of climate, the dangers of the forest, and hostile savages.
In grateful memory of these settlers, the Brown Marker was erected by their descendants, a photograph of which accompanies this article. The reader will find in Part II a full account of the exercises at the dedication of this marker; which may be read with profit in this connection. I am glad also at this point to quote quite extensively from a letter written by Deacon Truman B. Barney as follows :
In 1774 quite a large number of new settlers came up from Connecticut and Massachusetts to make themselves new homes in the great wilderness of the "New Hampshire Grants." Joseph Brown, Sr. and his wife Hannah Brown with their two sons, Charles Brown and Joseph Brown, Jr., were of this number. Joseph Brown, Jr., was b. at Watertown, Conn., Nov. 10th, 1763, and Charles was some three or four years older. When they
1
284
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
arrived at Manchester, they found Thomas Chittenden and his family and Capt. Thomas Barney ready to start for Vergennes and north to Williston where Chittenden had bought a large tract of nice land and proposed to make his future home. The Browns had sold a small farm in Watertown, Conn., and Mrs. Brown had received some three hundred dollars from her father's estate and invested it in three hundred acres of land in the town of Stowe. In order to reach the land they had purchased, they would have to go to Vergennes and Williston, and then follow a line of marked trees to the south end of "Old Mansfield Mountain" and cross the Green Mountain Range at what is now known as Nebraska Notch. There was a rough road cut out to Vergennes and the Allens had cut a path through from there to their lands on the borders of Lake Champlain where Burlington now is, and built a block house at "Winooski Falls." From this place there was a line of marked trees to Williston and from Williston through to the Notch and then down the little river from what is now "Lake Mansfield," that beautiful trout lake in the Notch, which was then only a large Beaver meadow, to the Stowe and Waterbury River. This was the course the Browns must take to reach their lands. So they joined the Chittenden party. They had two cows which they yoked up and hitched to a long light sled on which they packed a little flour and corn-meal, salt, and a few necessary things, and each one, taking what things they could carry, started on their long tiresome tramp. They could go but a short distance each day, but there were plenty of fat deer, fat bears, and fine trout to be had so they had enough to eat and made a good camp wherever night overtook them near some nice brook or cold spring. Chittenden and his family and Capt. Barney found their lands at Williston on the beautiful Winooski River, and the Browns crossed the river and went on towards old Mans- field following the line of marked trees. After two days they came to the bank of a nice clear river which came down from near the center of the west side of Old Mansfield and being quite tired from their long rough journey they decided they would make a good camp and rest a day or two before they should attempt to cross the Notch. So they made a good pole, brush and bark tent after the Indian fashion. The boys soon had all the fine large trout needed for several meals, which they took from the river
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.