Franklin County VT Archives History - Businesses .....Businesses Of Swanton 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 26, 2008, 7:30 pm

INDUSTRIES AND WEALTH OF SWANTON.

   SWANTON is a flourishing village of about 1,200 inhabitants, located near the
northwest corner of the state, about nine miles from the Canada line. The
village has experienced a healthy growth during the past few years, and was
incorporated by act of legislature in 1888. Swanton is located on the Missisquoi
River about six miles from its mouth. The river furnishes a magnificent water
power, which is partially utilized. From Swanton to the lake the Missisquoi is
navigable and canal boats and sailing vessels ply the stream. Railroads center
in Swanton from Montreal and Canada; from Ogdensburg and the West; from Boston,
New York, Troy and Albany, via St Albans; and from Boston and New England points
via St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain Railroad. This latter road runs from Maquam
Bay, three-fourths of a mile from the village, on Lake Champlain. Maquam forms a
post of entry for Swanton. During the season of navigation, the steamer Maquam
plys daily between Maquam Bay and Burlington. Swanton is a very attractive
village occupying ground on both banks of the river. The surrounding country is
level, the soil fertile and well cultivated and this is generally conceded to be
one of the finest farming sections of the state. Swanton received its name in
honor of Captain William Swanton, an officer in the British service during the
French and Indian wars. The inhabitants of this thriving village are largely
engaged in manufacturing and among their leading productions may be mentioned,
carriages and sleighs, butter, cheese, leather, lime, lumber, granite and marble
monuments, sash, blinds, and doors, plaster, marble tile for floors, spring
beds, pumps, suspenders, suspender buckles, and stocking supporters, sick and
easy chairs. The mercantile interests of the town are represented by business
men whose characteristics are push, progressiveness and enterprise, exerted in
all legitimate avenues of trade. A beautiful park of considerable extent is one
of the attractive features of the village. At one end of the park is a handsome
monument erected to commemorate the names of those who gave their lives in the
war of the Rebellion. Surrounding the park are the business houses of the
village, the churches and schools.

   Swanton has four churches, viz.: the Congregational, Episcopal, Methodist and
Roman Catholic. It has three first-class hotels, a custom house, bank, Catholic
Convent, and a fine system of graded schools. It has an inexhaustible water
supply, the source of supply being the Missisquoi River; a powerful pumping
engine forces the water through mains to all parts of the village. The village
is handsomely laid out, the streets are regular and well kept, and the town
presents a tidy appearance. The natural facilities possessed by Swanton as a
manufacturing point are almost unlimited. It has superior facilities for
transportation, abundant water power, and all the raw materials at hand. Swanton
is essentially a busy village. There are many wealthy men and but few really
poor. Socially and morally, Swanton will compare favorably with any village in
the state. The arts and sciences are cultivated and fostered, and evidences are
to be seen on every hand of culture and refinement. The magnitude of the
manufacturing and mercantile interests of the village and the promise of the
future are matters of general pride and gratification. Swanton is situated
northwest from Montpelier Sixty-six miles, and nine miles north from St. Albans.
Some of the most delightful drives extend from the village in every direction.
The village may well feel proud of her schools, her churches, her hotels, her
banks, and her commercial and industrial interests. The rapid growth of the town
in the past few years shows that the world has awakened to the unexcelled
inducements and advantages which it offers, and it unmistakably has a great
future before it.

   H. A. COLLINS, Swanton Clothing Company, No. 31 Merchants' Row.—This house
dates its inception from the year 1880, and in the decade that has passed away
has advanced to the very front rank of successful enterprise here. The premises,
spacious and conveniently arranged, 30 x 60 feet in size, are fitted up in a
manner in full accord with the heavy operations of the house. There is here
carried and displayed in stock a mammoth assortment and varied line of ready
made clothing of all grades and qualities for the wear of men and boys that is
to be found in any one store in this entire state. These goods come from the
very best sources in the land, and in high excellence of workmanship, stylish
finish and low prices quoted, far excel anything in the same line ever offered
to the Swanton public. The other specialties of this house embrace lines of
gents' furnishing goods, hats, caps, trunks, bags and valises. In fact, a buyer
entering this establishment can, before leaving, obtain a complete outfit for
himself at less cost than the boasted bargains even in our metropolitan cities.
This business is conducted on the basis of the highest business principles. The
proprietor, Mr. H. A. Collins, has had a valuable experience in this line and
the public of this vicinity are reaping the full benefit derived from such an
experience. Mr. Collins is a native of Burlington, and is very much respected
here. He is an F. and A. M. in high standing.

   H. A. BURT, JR., Insurance, No. 51 Canada Street.—It is a poor community,
indeed, in this country, that cannot boast and point out among its leading
citizens a dozen or so self-made men. Here in Swanton there is no exception to
the rule, and as illustrating our remarks we intend to briefly pen the career of
the subject of this editorial, Mr. Henry A. Burt, Jr. Mr. Burt was born in
Fairfield, Vt., and has always made Swanton his home. In 1873 he graduated from
the Norwich University and three years later was admitted to the Franklin County
Bar, and a little later made a Master in Chancery. He studied law with his
father, the Hon. Henry A. Burt, who is to-day one of the oldest leading lawyers
in the state. The firm is now Burt & Burt. In 1885, in conjunction with his now
extensive law practice, he opened an insurance department. In this department
his success has been equally marked and prominent. He writes a large amount of
insurance throughout Swanton and vicinity in fire, life and accident and
represents some of the strongest and wealthiest insurance corporations in the
world. He is agent for the Home and the German American Insurance Companies, of
New York; The Union Mutual, of Montpelier Vt.; the New England, of Rutland; and
for the Standard Life and Accident of Detroit, Mich. Mr. Burt writes policies at
lowest premium rates, adjusts all claims promptly, and, being himself a lawyer,
decides quickly on small legal technicalities. So far Mr. Burt's career has
exhibited a life of self-denial, hard study and untiring perseverance,
qualifications that are bound to carry their possessor to the front. He moves in
the highest social circles in Swanton, and is very popular and highly esteemed
in the community; in fact, to that degree that his fellow townsmen have bestowed
public offices upon him without stint. Twice was he elected superintendent of
our public schools; then for two years he pursued civil engineering in the west;
since returning he was again elected superintendent of schools, three times
elected a justice of the peace. Sir. Burt is now entering upon his third term.
In musical circles Mr. Burt Is equally well known, as he is one of our leading
musicians here, and is the present leader of the Swanton Cornet Band. He is yet
a young man in the early flush of an active and successful business life.

   CHAS. KEENAN, Planing Mill, Merchants' Row.—The manufacture of interior
finishings for houses is carried on extensively by Mr. Chas. Keenan. At this
establishment doors, sash, blinds, mouldings, brackets, stair railing and
interior house finishings generally are manufactured. This establishment was
founded in 1873 by W. O. Smith, and since 1882 has been conducted by Mr. Keenan.
It is very large, employing on an average about two experienced men. The factory
building, 35 x 42 feet in size, is a fine, modernly constructed structure,
containing a fine equipment of the necessary machinery driven by water power.
The productions of the mill are well thought of by carpenters and builders and
all others who have occasion to use them, and they are the first sought for, on
account of their superiority and extremely reasonable terms upon which they are
sold. Mr. Chas. Keenan, the proprietor, is a native of Ireland, and a practical,
energetic man, and is highly esteemed here, and is an honored member of F. and
A. M. and the G. A. R.

   McDONALD & SMITH, Furniture, Etc., No. 46 Grand Avenue.—This enterprising
house, one of the largest and best known in the state, was originally
established in 1877 by S. McDonald, who conducted the business successfully
alone for the following ten years, when Mr. C. L. Smith became his associate
partner. Under the combined and energetic management of these two gentlemen the
trade of the house has rapidly augmented, and to-day it is one of the most
flourishing houses in business circles here. The premises occupied comprise two
spacious floor rooms, 50 x 70 feet, together with capacious basements and a
large storehouse. Two hands are employed steadily all the time. The premises are
finely fitted up and very conveniently arranged for the display of goods, every
facility being at hand to forward the operations of the house. The special lines
of goods handled by this firm, and in the handling of which they have gained so
high a reputation, are furniture, coffins, caskets, picture frames, window
shades, mattresses, spring beds, etc., and all kinds of undertaking goods. They
carry complete and choice lines in each department, and were we to attempt to
enumerate in detail any of the stock handled, it would be an impossibility in
our limited space. They carry everything comprehended in the above caption, and
that is, perhaps, sufficient for the trade and general public to know. Mr.
McDonald is a Nova Scotian by birth, while Mr. Smith was born in Canada. Both
gentlemen are highly esteemed by all in this community for business and personal
worth.

   O. D. MASON & SON, Harness, etc., No. 20 Merchants' Row.—One of the most
important manufacturing establishments in this city, and which is familiarly
known throughout an extensive territory, is that of O. D. Mason & Son,
manufacturers of and dealers in harness and saddlery. The business of this
noteworthy concern was inaugurated in 1855 by the senior member, and in 1882,
upon the admission of his son, the present firm was organized. In all these
years the growing demand upon the resources of the house has resulted in the
present complete and spacious establishment. One floor is occupied and fitted up
for the display of stock. It is very attractively appointed and contains a heavy
stock of choice goods in saddlery, hardware, harness, collars, whips, saddles,
bridles, robes, blankets, fly nets and all manner of horse goods. In the
mechanical department skilled workmen are employed, and every appliance is at
hand to assist them in their work; the most carefully selected materials only
are used, the greatest care is exercised in the various processes of
manufacture, and the goods turned out are unsurpassed for excellence of finish,
utility, durability and general superiority. Fine custom work and repairing in
fact, form two chief features of the business. In a business of this kind many
specialties are handled as a matter of course, and we desire to direct attention
in particular to the "Raven Black Harness Oil," handled by this firm. This house
is famous throughout the country as an old-established, reliable harness
establishment, handling only first-class goods in every department. The members
of the firm are both very much respected here. Mr. O. D. Mason was born in New
York and his son in this city. The latter is a member of F. and A. M.

   A. LAPELLE, Flour, Feed, Etc., Merchants' Row.—The concern noted in our
headlines is one of the most extensive plants of the kind in this region, and
was established in 1865 by B. L. Laselle. The present proprietor, Mr. A.
Lapelle, succeeded to the business in 1875. The mill and main storerooms
comprise a capacious and finely arranged structure, well adapted in every
respect to needs of a business of this kind. The machinery and other necessary
apparatus are operated by water power, and among the equipment we note in
particular, four immense stone grists, giving the mill a daily capacity of 1,000
bushels. Three hands are employed, and prompt and satisfactory attention is
given to all custom orders. The stock carried on hand at all times embraces the
finest and choicest brands of flour, of high grade patents, as well as the best
qualities of feed of all kinds, grain and other mill stuffs. A leading specialty
handled by the house is Pratt's food for horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. The
trade of the concern is of large proportions and extends all through this
section. Mr. Lapelle is a native of Fairfax, this state, and an Odd Fellow in
high standing. He is noted among the leading citizens of Swanton, and assisted
materially in making the place what it Is to-day, and is, therefore, deserving
of all the praise that can be given him in this publication.

   E. M. PROUTY, Contractor and Builder, Manufacturer of House Finishings of All
Kinds.—A prominent and well-known builder and contractor in Swanton is Mr. E. M.
Prouty, who also manufactures and deals in doors, sash, blinds, mouldings,
brackets, etc., glass, stair railing, and house finish of all kinds. For
twenty-five years Mr. Prouty has been engaged in the present business. His mill
was burned in 1887 and rebuilt the same year, and this business, of which he is
now sole proprietor, was established. The mill contains all the latest improved
machinery and has abundant water power and is fitted for steam-power when
needed. Mr. Prouty as a builder and contractor has a large practice. He has
built many fine blocks and furnished all the materials from his own mills. He
keeps constantly employed a large force of help. He has a comprehensive and
far-reaching knowledge of every detail of his profession, and this with the
reliable and responsible character of his work, has secured for him a large and
influential patronage, and given him a valuable and important position. Mr.
Prouty furnishes plans and estimates, and enters into contracts for work of all
kinds in his line. A point is made of filling all contracts promptly and in
accordance with their terms.


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/franklin/directories/business/1891/business139gms.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vtfiles/

File size: 15.8 Kb