Rutland County VT Archives History - Businesses .....Businesses Of Poultney 1891
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INDUSTRIES AND WEALTH OF POULTNEY.

   THE first settlement was made in Poultney, April 15, 1771, by Ebenezer Allen
and Thomas Ashley. They were men of bold, fearless spirits, athletic and firm
constitutions. They commenced in West Poultney near what was known as the
Turnpike bridge. They erected shanties for their families, and Mr. Allen had a
son born the same year, which was the first white child born in Poultney. Mr.
Allen remained but a few years in town, then moved to Grand Isle. Mr. Ashley
remained in town and on the same farm until his death, which occurred in 1810.
He was the next man to Allen that entered in taking the fort at "Old Ti," stood
at the head of the stairs as sentinel, while Allen entered the room of the
Commander. In June, 1777, about thirty families were settled in this township,
when they were all driven from their homes by Burgoyne's army and the Indians.
The town had been settled very slowly up to this time, owing in a great measure
to the troubles with New York about the title of the land. Thus the early
inhabitants had not only to contend with poverty, and the common enemy during
the revolution, but with the Yorkers, who would often send out their sheriffs
with their posse to drive them off their farms and take possession, but they
were often sternly met by the Green Mountain boys, and their leaders not
unfrequently made to feel the "Beach Seal." In 1783 the first house of worship
was erected; previous to this time the people had held their meetings in barns
in summer, and private houses in winter. The first post-office was probably
established in the west village about January, 1799. The first newspaper printed
in town was The Poultney Gazette in 1822. In 1825, the Northern Spectator was
first issued, and was discontinued in 1830. It was at this office that Horace
Greeley learned the printer's trade. The Poultney Owl was published about six
months in 1867, and the Poultney Bulletin in 1868. This paper came to an end in
1873, and the establishment was sold to Mr. R. J. Humphrey, who commenced the
publication of The Poultney Journal, December 19, 1873. Poultney has continued
to thrive and prosper and is one of the most thriving villages of its size in
the state. It is seventy miles from Montpelier and eighteen miles southwest from
Rutland. Its population is 2,717. The village is beautifully situated on the
banks of Poultney River, and on the line of the Rutland and Washington railroad.
The village owes much of its prosperity to the development of the slate
industry, and these quarries and shops in connection, together with other
manufactories, give employment to a large force of workingmen. Besides the
several slate companies here, there are manufacturers of boots and shoes, of
carriages and sleighs, of flour and feed, of furniture, handsleds, harnesses,
and ink; there is a foundry and machine shop, a job printing-office, a lumber,
door, sash and blind mill. The goods turned out are noted for their superior
character and general excellence; but the leading and staple industry is the
quarrying, polishing and manufacturing of articles from slate which is noted the
world over as being of very superior quality. The slate quarries are invaluable
to this village, and it is fortunate for Poultney and the country generally that
the stock is abundant, since the demand for it from all sections of the Union is
constantly increasing. A large number of firms are engaged in quarrying and
others conduct an extensive business in the manufacture of mantels and billiard
table beds, while others manufacture roofing slate exclusively. With the best of
railroad facilities giving an advantage in the matter of freights, and with low
rents, taxes, and cost of living, the merchants of Poultney are in a position to
offer these commodities at lower rates than those charged in the stores of
larger and more populous towns. In the important particular of school
facilities, Poultney is abreast with the times, and the different schools are
model institutions of their kind and supplied with all modern appliances and
advantages. The Troy Conference Academy is located here, and is in a flourishing
condition. Poultney has five churches, viz.: the Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal,
Welsh Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic, and many of these edifices are of
imposing proportions.

   As a place of residence, Poultney possesses many attractions. The arts and
sciences are cultivated here. With her large and increasing population, her
manufacturing enterprises, her commercial activity and her many other advantages
already pointed out, Poultney offers a splendid field for the capitalist, the
manufacturer, and the merchant.


   THE POULTNEY SLATE COMPANY.-A prominent and leading industry of its character
in Poultney is the Poultney Slate Company, which was formed and incorporated
under the laws of Vermont in May, 1890. This quarry was first opened by the
Poultney Slate Works in 1878, and was succeeded by the Lake View Company in
1888. From twenty-five to thirty-five acres of quarry land are owned by the
company and the works are fitted up with all necessary machinery operated by
steam. From 70 to 120 feet of slate are taken from the quarry per day, and
employment is given to from twenty-five to forty workmen, and from five to ten
teams are employed drawing slate to the station, a distance of three miles. The
company manufacture from 600 to 1300 squares of slate per month. 1st quality
purple, variegated and sea green, and they also buy largely. Their trade extends
to all parts of the United States, their largest trade being in the western
states. They also have a large local trade. Their main office is at Poultney,
and they also have an office at No. 115 Broadway, New York. The secretary and
treasurer, Mr. T. J. Mather, resides in Morristown, N. J., and is a prominent
and wealthy lawyer. Mr. M. B. Mayhar, the president of the. company, is a native
of Vermont, is a resident of Poultney and is respected and esteemed as one of
the ablest and most enterprising business men of the town.

   M. J. MORTON, Hardware, No. 40 Main Street.-The vast variety of implements
and utensils, classed under the head of general hardware, renders this trade of
great importance in every community. The housekeeper, the builder, the mechanic
and the farmer all have their special wants, and each in turn must come to the
hardware store to have those wants supplied. A leading headquarters in this line
of trade in Poultney is the establishment of which Mr. M. J. Horton is the
proprietor. The business of this house was established in 1877. The premises
consist of one floor, 30 x 120 feet in dimensions with a large salesroom in
front, devoted to groceries and light hardware. In the rear of the first floor
is a large room filled with a stock of stoves, ranges, etc., and also lamps and
glassware, cutlery and shelf hardware. The basement is utilized for heavy goods,
and two large buildings in the rear are used, one for a tin shop and the other
for storing goods. He employs two tinsmiths, one plumber, and three clerks. It
combines everything known to the trade in manufacturers' supplies, heavy and
shelf hardware, direct from producers, at most advantageous rates, and is
offered to the customers at prices rarely duplicated by competing houses. Mr.
Horton is prepared at all times to supply customers to the full extent of their
wants and in the promptest and most satisfactory manner. He was clerk in a drug
store from 1861 to 1866 and was bookkeeper in an insurance office from 1866 to
1867. He has held the office of town clerk, town treasurer, selectman, and water
commissioner. He is a member of the F. and A. M., is Past Master of the lodge,
and High Priest of the chapter; a member of the I. O. O. F. and Grand Master of
the state of Vermont, a member of the G. A. R. and organized the Post in this
place and was its first commander. He is a native of Vermont, served in the army
as a member of Company E, 51st Massachusetts Infantry, and is honored and
esteemed by his fellow men in all the various relations of life. Appointed
colonel on governor's staff last November.

   W. W. HIBBABD, Books, Stationery, Etc., Main St.-Mr. W. W. Hibbard maintains
a most enviable reputation in consequence of his superior stock of goods and
honorable business methods. Mr. Hibbard is a Vermonter by birth and started out
in business life as a physician in Hebron, N. Y. State, but relinquished
practice there and came to this place in 1863 and followed the dental profession
for three years, after which he opened a pharmacy and carried that on until
1872, when he inaugurated this enterprise, and at once developed a very large
and substantial patronage. He occupies a spacious store, that is admirably
adapted to the business and fitted up with every convenience. The book
department contains the standard works on history, biographies, memoirs,
travels, encyclopedias, dictionaries, travels, essays, letters of eminent
persons, etc., religious works of all sects, Sunday school books, works of
fiction by the most eminent writers, poems, and all the cheap library editions.
The stock of school supplies embraces all the approved text books, blank
stationery, inks, pens, pencils, slates, etc., also counting room supplies, of
every description; art materials such as easels, paints, colors, crayons,
brushes, bristol and other boards, etc. He also receives daily all the leading
newspapers from the principal cities, besides the leading weeklies, pictorials,
magazines and periodicals soon as published. His stock also includes an endless
variety of art novelties in bronze, brass, bisque and majolica ware, toys and
fancy goods for holiday and anniversary presents, etc. Mr. Hibbard is an
enterprising gentleman, and is highly respected.

   GEORGE M. HERRICK, Dry Goods, Groceries, Etc.-A leading and most prominent
house in Poultney is the admirably conducted and flourishing concern of George
M. Herrick. The business was established in 1883, by Messrs. M. M. & M. Myers
and in 1886 this firm was succeeded by Myers & Herrick, who continued the
business till 1891, when George M. Herrick became proprietor. The premises
occupied comprise one floor and basement, 30 x 60 feet in dimensions. The front
room is used as a salesroom and contains at all times a full and complete stock
of dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, rubbers, gents' furnishing goods, wall
paper, etc. In dry goods the stock is valuable and includes dress goods in all
the new fabrics and shades, house-furnishing goods at lower prices than are
offered elsewhere, new hosiery, underwear, corsets, etc., also trimmings and
fancy goods, comprising the latest novelties in the market, a complete line of
buttons, embroidery and knitting silk etc., is also kept. In the grocery
department will be found a complete stock of the finest teas and coffees, the
purest spices, the best brands of flour, canned goods in great variety, sugars,
molasses, syrups, condiments, table delicacies and everything pertaining to the
staple and fancy grocery trade is kept constantly on hand. In gents' furnishing
goods the stock is complete and well selected, and all goods are sold at prices
that defy successful competition. The trade of this popular house is increasing
from year to year. The proprietor, Mr. G. M. Herrick is a native of Poultney,
Vt., a graduate of Troy Conference Academy, and is a young man of energy and
enterprise and is popular with the general public. This business is conducted on
a strictly cash basis.

   G. PARKER & SON, Slate, No. 37 1/2 Main Street.-The red, purple and
variegated slate produced by Messrs. G. Parker & Son, at their quarries in
Hampton, N. Y., is recognized as the most desirable roofing material on this
continent. It has been quarried since 1860. In I860, the business was taken
charge of by Mr. G. Parker, the present firm being organized in 1878 by the
admission of Mr. E. V. Parker to partnership. The firm own thirty acres of
quarry land, and operate two quarries which are thoroughly equipped with all
necessary machinery and appliances, and employment is given to some twenty
skilled workmen. For roofing purposes the slate quarried hy this firm possesses
qualities rarely equalled, and never surpassed, its hardness, uniformity and
non-absorbing qualities placing it supreme over all other materials for roofing.
The firm stand first in point of quality, and second to few in quantity, as
manufacturers of roofing slate, and their trade is local, suburban and country
wide. All slate proves as represented, is guaranteed in every respect, and all
statements, expressed or implied, in letter and spirit are substantiated.
Messrs. Parker & Son are also proprietors of a restaurant in this village,
located on Main Street, in the same building with the office of the slate
business. There are separate apartments for ladies and gentlemen, with a
combined capacity for seating twenty-five, and the patronage is large, first
class and influential. Confectionery and cigars are also carried. The senior
partner and founder of the slate business is a Massachusetts man by birth, and
came to Vermont In 1865. His son was also born in Massachuetts, and is a member
of the I. O. O. F.

   "THE CRYSTAL," David Williams, Proprietor, Fine Family Groceries, Choice
Fruit, etc.. Main Street.-" The Crystal" is one of the oldest places in town,
its early proprietors not being known. For many years, E. H. Clayton was the
owner, Mr. Williams having succeeded him in June, 1890. He has a store 30 x 90
feet, where he carries on his grocery trade and a dining-room, large enough to
accommodate sixteen persons. He serves meals at all hours. Mr. Williams has the
name for setting an excellent table, his soups, joints, broils, desserts, tea,
coffee and milk being the choicest that can be had in the market. His grocery
trade is very extensive, comprising every class of wares usually found in such a
place, including country farm produce, vegetables, butter, cheese, eggs, flour,
cornmeal, buckwheat flour, tea, coffee, sugar, whole and ground spices, shelf
and counter goods, canned and preserved goods, apples, cherries, strawberries,
currants, peaches, pears, dried fruits, pine-apples, lemons, oranges, nuts,
pickled goods, citrons, melons, prunes, mincemeat, syrups, olives, condensed
milk, kerosene oil, starch, washing and baking soda, mustards, flavoring
extracts, chocolate, jellies, boiled cider, salt, candles, soaps, cracked wheat,
barley, confectionery of all sorts, choice cigars, chewing and smoking tobacco,
long cut, plug and fine cut, pipes, cigar holders, pouches, etc.; household
wooden ware, baskets, and a full line of crockery and glassware. Mr. Williams
has created already a lively trade by his industry and close application to
business, in addition to retaining the custom of his predecessors. He is a
native of Wales.

   E. L. PATRICK, Watches & Jewelry, Main Street.-Mr. E. L. Patrick, established
his business here in 1887. Prior to that, he had been engaged in the same line
at Fort Ann, N. Y.; previous to which, he had spent three years in learning his
trade, at Chester, Vt. Mr. Patrick's practical knowledge is therefore a vast
help to him and he puts it to good use by making a specialty of repairing
watches, clocks, jewelry, etc., of which he carries a full stock of spectacles
and eye-glasses. Engagement, wedding, plain rings, bracelets, chains, silver
ware, spoons, forks, bric-a-brac, vases, etc., and is an adept at repairing and
regulating watches. He has reached that stage in life when success marks his
efforts. It is fully deserved, however, his patronage coming from the best
people of this village. He is prudent and loyal to business integrity and very
popular among business and society people. He is a native of New York.


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.


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