Caledonia County VT Archives History - Businesses .....Businesses Of Hardwick 1891 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/vt/vtfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 May 29, 2008, 4:09 pm INDUSTRIES AND WEALTH OF HARDWICK. THE town of Hardwick is located in the western part of Caledonia county and is bounded on the northeast by Greensboro, southeast by Walden, southwest by Woodbury, and northwest by Wolcott. It is 21 miles from Montpelier and 22 miles from St. Johnsbury. The town was granted November 7, 1780 and chartered August 19, 1781 to "Danforth Keyes and his associates." The first permanent settlement was made in the year 1790, by a family, or several families by the name of Norris from New Hampshire. Several families by the name of Sabin came soon after, among whom was Mr. Gideon Sabin, whose wife was the mother of twenty-six children. The town was organized in 1795. Paul Spooner was the first town clerk also the first representative. The first child born in town was Jonas Bundy Hardwick, son of Nathaniel Norris. Soon after the settlement commenced, the Baptists formed the first religious' society and in 1804 a Congregational Church was organized, which at first consisted of twelve members. The town according to the last census had a population of 1,484. It has three churches. viz.: the Advent, Baptist, and Methodist; two first-class hotels, and is the site of Hardwick Academy, an excellently conducted institution. The surface of the town is pleasantly diversified with large swells and vales, but no part of it is mountainous. The Lamoille River, which enters the town from Greensborough, and taking a circuitous route, passes through it to Wolcott, furnishes abundant water-power for the numerous manufactories located here. The rocks are granite, gray limestone, slate and quartz, with fine specimens of rock crystal. Several granite quarries have been opened here recently and are being worked to considerable extent. The Hardwick granite is generally conceded to be as fine as any found in the state. Its component parts are distinctly granular and evenly mixed throughout; and it contains less mica than other granites. It is remarkably clear and even in texture, is susceptible of the highest polish, is perfectly uniform in color, and the contrast between the hammered and polished surfaces is great, thereby rendering the product beautiful as well as valuable. Lumber is extensively manufactured here, also sash, doors, flour and feed. The advantages of Hardwick as a manufacturing center are great. It is located on the line of the Vermont division of the Boston and Maine Railroad, and is thus supplied with excellent transportation facilities while the low prices of land for factory sites, the cheap rents and cost of living, healthful climate and other considerations, point to Hardwick as the scene of future operations which will give the town pre-eminence among the great sources of supply of manufactured articles of every description in Vermont. The people are remarkably public spirited and extend to those who seek profitable investments and pleasant homes, a cordial welcome. WOODBURY GRANITE COMPANY, Producers of Mountain and Lake Granite.—Considering the comparatively short time of its establishment, the extensive operations of the Woodbury Granite Company are a substantial testimony to the excellent quality of the mountain and lake granite of their production; and of this, ample corroborative evidence is to be seen in the very general use to which their granite is now put by builders, contractors and others all over the country. The company was incorporated in 18S7, under the laws of the state of Vermont, with a working capital of $200,000, and the general office and quarries are situated at Woodbury, Vt., and the branch office at Hardwick. The granite produced is of a very fine quality, of a dark color and beautifully marked; its character being eminently suited for the best grades of arches, pillars, stair cases, tablets, slabs, tombs, head-stones, and all lines of fine masonry, being capable of the highest polish and the most delicate chiselling. The intrinsic merits of this dark granite as well as the commensurate cheapness at which the company is enabled to offer it, have resulted in a steady and constant demand being made upon the resources of the quarry by the trade generally. being now of such a volume as to necessitate the regular employment of fifty competent workers, who, furnished with a complete equipment of tools and appliances incidental to the business, are kept busily engaged the week through, and lend to the quarries a brisk and lively appearance. The officers, who are solely responsible for the very able and essentially successful management of the enterprise are, George O. Woodcock, of Manchester Depot. Vt., president; Charles A. Watson, vice-president and clerk; W. H. Fullerton. a native of Hebron, N. Y., and ex-representative of the state legislature from Manchester in 1884, treasurer and general manager. The branch office in Hardwick is situated in the Centennial House. Mr. Charles D. Sandford, who is well-known in the marble trade, has charge in absence of the superintendent. THE RED DRUG STORE, H. R. Kimball. Proprietor.— An establishment that quickly became known by its novel title is Mr. H. R. Kimball's Red Drug Store, and its commandingly located premises have also become a highly popular resort in time of need for drugs, chemicals and patent medicines, although the business only had its inception in 1890. The stock of drugs and chemicals carried is very comprehensive, embracing all those in general request, whilst high quality and uniform purity is a distinguishing characteristic in all varieties, no pains being spared in obtaining supplies from the most eminent of chemical manufacturing houses, while the prices quoted are as low as is at all compatible with really high grade and reliable goods. In the long list of proprietary articles carried the same scrupulous care is taken in the selection, and while it is quite impossible for any druggist or drug dealer to pretend to exercise a complete censorship in such matters, any patent medicines known to be of a doubtfully empirical character or to contain deleterious ingredients are rigidly excluded. In addition to these goods a very large and well chosen assortment of fancy articles and stationery is carried, and the patronage secured in each department is of a most encouraging kind, and is a very practical recognition of the thorough businesslike management of the proprietor. The popular store, 20 x 30 feet in size, is handsomely appointed and heavily stocked, and the brisk business that results, keeps the proprietor and his two competent clerks steadily employed. They have just added an elegant wall soda water fountain, which is an ornament to the store. A. N. JACKSON, Dentist.—The dental profession has a thoroughly representative exponent in Hardwick in the person of Dr. A. N. Jackson, formerly of Morey, Ill. He occupies elegant parlors which are eligibly located and fitted up with the most modern and improved appliances and devices known to the profession. He has a large, liberal and influential patronage derived from the best classes in the community and his clientele is steadily increasing. He is a skilled dentist of great experience and ability, and carries on all operations of the profession in the most approved manner. Teeth are extracted painlessly, while the unpleasant operation of filling is conducted in such a manner as to occasion the minimum of discomfort to the patient. Artificial work is promptly performed in the most skillful manner and at moderate prices, either whole or partial sets being furnished at short notice, and easy fits being guaranteed. Dr. Jackson is one of the best known and most popular residents of of Hardwick. LAWSON & DAVIS, Hardwick and Woodbury Granite Monuments, and all Cemetery Work.—A firm who by close application and persistent endeavors to give unqualified satisfaction in all work undertaken, have come rapidly to the front ranks of the trade is that of Messrs. Lawson & Davis, of Hardwick, dealers in Hardwick and Woodbury granite monuments and all kinds of cemetery work. This business was established in 1889, by Messrs. Lawson & Emerson, and on the retirement of the latter gentleman in 1890, C. R. Davis was admitted into partnership by Mr. E. Lawson; and these two gentlemen now constitute the sole proprietary management. All kinds of high grade cemetery work is undertaken, including monuments, slabs, tablets and headstones of every description, inscriptions being cut, figures carved and other ornamentation executed to special design or order; and it is the uniform excellence of these productions both as regards workmanship and material, that has been mainly instrumental in bringing to the firm the flourishing trade and soundly based reputation it now enjoys, both being materially enhanced by the strictly honorable methods upon which the house is conducted. The extensive demand which is now made upon its resources, necessitates the maintenance of a workshop, 40 x 60 feet in dimensions, are furnished with every requisite for the prosecution of the brisk trade carried on, and ten expert workers are regularly employed. Every detail of the enterprise is conducted under the close personal care and attention of the experienced principals, Mr. E. Lawson and Chas. R. Davis, who are themselves finished artists in monumental work, possessed of considerable inventive genius. They are natives of Vermont, and enjoy a wide popularity and high esteem throughout this part of the country. A. M. WARD & SON, Flour, Grain, Feed and Groceries.—One of the best known and most popular mercantile establishments in this section of the state is that of Messrs. A. M. Ward & Son, dealers in flour, grain, feed and groceries, who have a very extensive trade throughout Hardwick and the surrounding country. The premises occupied are spacious and commodious, and comprise a handsome store, 30x40 feet in dimensions. Here is constantly carried a heavy stock of the choicest brands of western and other flours, besides grain and feed of every kind. A full line of choice staple and fancy groceries is also carried, including fresh and pure teas, coffees and spices, sugars, syrups, canned goods, pickles, sauces, preserves and condiments; butter, cheese, eggs and other farm and dairy produce, bakers' and laundry supplies; dried, salted, smoked and pickled fish, and in short, everything usually found in a first-class grocery and provision store. Everything sold is guaranteed to be the best of its kind, while the prices charged are the same as are asked in many establishments for inferior goods. The members of the firm are enterprising, honorable and successful business men. A. M. Ward & Son are prominent members of the Masonic fraternity and the son is connected with the Odd Fellows order. A. M. Wood is an expert physician of forty years practice in this state. O. C. ARNOLD & SON, Manufacturers of Granite Monuments, Head-Stones, Curbing, Posts, Steps, Etc., Etc., Etc.—Essentially representative exponents of masons' and sculptors' crafts, whether in fine or plain granite work, Messrs. O. C. Arnold & Son have a very extensive and enduring connection, a tribute at once to the high quality of their work, to the administrative talent of the principals and to the commendable commercial methods which are adopted. The firm has sheds 24x96 feet in measurement, and undertakes the manufacture of granite monuments, head-stones, curbing, posts, steps and all other forms of masonry allied to monumental or building work. The former kind is its great specialty, and a department in which it has fully earned its high prestige, and deservedly secured an influential connection by virtue of the finished and artistic productions that have left its sheds; but estimates are freely furnished for all kinds of stone work, and its labors in this direction also are In brisk request. This now well known and flourishing business was founded by its present talented and experienced principals in 1886, and under their personal and careful supervision, ten expert craftsmen are regularly employed, the finished products of the firm finding their way to many far distant parts, while the unwrought Hardwick, Woodbury and Barre granite in which it largely deals, is also supplied to purchasers in various parts of a wide-reaching territory. The sheds are centrally located near the passenger depot, and the office at the residence of the principals. Those gentlemen are Mr. O. C. and Mr. F. W. Arnold, father and son, both natives of Maine, who have won for themselves a large measure of respect and popularity in this town. They are prominently associated with the Masonic fraternity and are highly regarded both in social and business circles. Additional Comments: Extracted from: INDUSTRIES AND WEALTH OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTS IN VERMONT, BEING BURLINGTON, WINOOSKI, RUTLAND, WEST RUTLAND, BRANDON, FAIR HAVEN, POULTNEY, CASTLETON, ST. ALBANS, SWANTON, ENOSBURG FALLS, BRATTLEBORO, BELLOWS FALLS, MONTPELIER, BARRE, WATERBURY, ST. JOHNSBURY, LYNDONVILLE, LYNDON, HARDWICK, BENNINGTON, SPRINGFIELD, WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VERGENNES, MIDDLEBURY, NORTHFIELD AND MORRISVILLE. 1891. PUBLISHED BY AMERICAN PUBLISHING AND ENGRAVING CO., (ELEVATORS.) Nos. 149 AND 151 CHURCH STREET, NEW YORK. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/vt/caledonia/directories/business/1891/business149gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vtfiles/ File size: 13.8 Kb