THE NATIONAL BANK OF BARRE

      The National Bank of Barre stands in the front rank of financial institutions in the Green Mountain state, anti is the only National bank in Barre. It began business July 1, 1873, and its interests have been allied to the progress and prosperity of the community, its policy being such as to promote the general welfare of the village. Its officers are: L. F. ALDRICH, president; B. W. BRALEY, vice-president; F. G. HOWLAND, cashier; F. F. CAVE, teller. The directors are: L. F. ALDRICH, B. W. BRALEY, J. M. PERRY, Charles TEMPLETON, and John LYNDE. At this writing the loans and discounts of the institution are $218,000; its deposits, $145,000; its capital, $100,000; and its surplus and undivided profits, $3,500. The business of the National Bank of Barre covers a wide range of territory, and its depositors are from all towns surrounding this village, while many live al remote distances. The bank buys and sells government bonds, and sells New England state, county, and town bonds, and western state; territory, and school bonds. This institution pays interest on certificates of deposit at the rate of three per cent per annum for periods of less than six months; and four per cent interest on deposits remaining six months or longer. Interest deposits draw interest from the date of deposit, and no notice is required in the event of withdrawal. This bank has a guarantee fund of $200,000. Since its organization the National Bank of Barre has paid to its stockholders $164,000.

      In the night of July 5, 1875, an attempt was made by four burglars to rob the Bank of Barre. They entered the residence of Cashier Charles A. BLACK, and compelled him, with a rope around his neck, to repair to the bank, and commanded him to open the safe; but were there convinced of the fact that it was secured by a chronometer lock, as Mr. BLACK had informed them at his house. They then returned Mr. BLACK to his residence, where they had left a guard with his family, securely gagged and bound them all, Mr. BLACK with his hands handcuffed behind him. Mr. BLACK, in time, released himself and gave the alarm by informing the officers of the bank, who promptly instituted a pursuit of the robbers. A telegraph dispatch was sent to the Wells River bank next morning, announcing the fact of the burglary, and handed to Sheriff John BAILEY, of Wells River, who started in pursuit and bravely captured Peter CURLEY before night in a wood lot near Rumney, N. H. By the indomitable perseverance of Mr. BAILEY, with the aid of other detectives, two more of the gang were arrested in the city of New York, in August following. One of them, an escaped convict from Sing Sing prison, was handed over to the authorities there to serve out his unexpired term. The other, George MILES, with several aliases, was tried at Montpelier, convicted, and sentenced to serve a term of fifteen years in the state's prison. Peter CURLEY, the first captured, gave "state's evidence," and was discharged.

      Granite Savings Bank and Trust Co. -- This bank began business April 13, 1885, and has already attained a position in the front rank among the monetary institutions of the Green Mountain state. The bank has a capital of $50,000, and conducts a commercial business in addition to its savings bank department. At this writing the institution has $225,000 on deposit, $185,000 being interest deposits, and $40,000 business deposits. Its depositors number 825 persons. The loans and discounts approximate $250,000. The company pays interest on deposits at the rate of three per cent per annum; and on deposits remaining six months or longer interest at the rate of four per cent per annum, credited or compounded semi-annually, is allowed. The company receives business accounts subject to check, and makes collections throughout all parts of the United States and Canada, furnishes Boston and New York exchange, buys and sells United States bonds, and bonds of any of the states, counties or towns in New England; also furnishes drafts on Ireland, Scotland, England, and other European points. The officers of the Granite Savings Bank and Trust Co. are: John TROW, president; H. O. WORTHEN, vice-president; H. W. BLODGETT, treasurer; C. N. FIELD, teller. The board of directors consists of the following gentlemen: John TROW, H. O. WORTHEN, A. D. MORSE, C. L. CURRIER, W. E. WHITCOMB, A. E. FIELD. The business of the company is steadily increasing, as will be seen by the periodical statements.

      The Barre Water Company was chartered in the autumn of 1886. The reservoir is formed by damming Jail Branch about three miles above Hotel Barre. A sixteen inch water-main connects with the service pipes at the village. The head is equal to 260 feet. About six miles of service pipe have been laid, and there are fifty hydrants. The plant is owned by a private company, with the following officers: Dr. J. Henry JACKSON, president; William BIRNEY, treasurer; E. W. BISBEE, secretary. Directors: William BIRNEY, Thomas N. BIRNEY, C. L. GOODHUE, Dr. J. Henry JACKSON, and L. F. ALDRICH.

      Stafford & Holden Mfg. Co. This industry dates its history to 1861. In 1864 it became Stafford, Holden & Co. In 1816 the concern was incorporates under its present title, with a capital of $40,000. The officers of the Stafford & Holden Mfg. Co. are: E. B. WOOD, president; Clark HOLDEN, secretary and treasurer. Directors: L. F. ALDRICH, Horace FIFIELD, I. L. GALE, and J. R GEORGE. The company give employment to sixty hands, and their works are fully equipped with every modern facility and appliance for the work in hand. The machinery is driven by water-power, with steam as auxiliary. The works are in a substantial brick building 200 feet in length, with several accessory buildings of wood. The company manufacture annually 24,000 dozens forks, rakes, and potato hooks, which find a market in all the civilized countries on the globe, large shipments being made to Europe and South America. The company is in possession of a prosperous business, and its product is held in great favor by the trade.

      William MOORCROFT's woolen factory. -- Mr. William MOORCROFT is proprietor of the Moorcroft woolen-mill, located about three-fourths of a mile from the postoffice. This mill has been in existence many years, and has been under control of Mr. MOORCROFT for about thirteen years. Mr. MOORCROFT, however, had been engaged in business in Montpelier for many years before, and has an experience of forty years in this industry. The Moorcroft woolen-mill gives employment to twenty hands in the manufacture of all wool white flannel. The capacity of the mill is from 150,000 to 200,000 yards per annum, and it consumes 75,000 pounds of wool per year. The product of the mill is sold through Faulkner, Page & Co., Boston and New York.

      Smith, Whitcomb & Cook are the proprietors of the Barre iron works, a merchant and custom grist-mill, and a saw-mill. The iron foundry was established by Joshua THWING about 1818, who, it is said, melted the first iron in the state. Mr. THWING's business so increased that he enlarged the works in 1833. He conducted the business at this old stand about half a century. In 1868 the present firm (J. M. SMITH, W. E. WHITCOMB, and B. B. COOK) purchased the property. This firm does a general business as iron founders and machinists, and also manufacture several specialties, among them gears, shafting, hoisting machines and derricks, and a new superior stone polishing machine. They manufacture the North American plow, the improved Barre turbine water-wheel, and do millwright work. At the grist-mill they grind and retail more than one hundred car loads of corn meal annually.

      J.S. ROBINSON's sash and blind factory is located on Stevens Branch, off road 48. He manufactures doors, sash, blinds, moldings, and house finishings, and deals in hard and soft wood lumber. Mr. ROBINSON came from Lowell, Mass., in 1857, and commenced business in, the building now occupied by the firm of J. H. BATCHELDER & Co. In 1866 he converted a starch factory to his use, and in 1872 removed it to its present site and enlarged and improved it to meet the wants of his increasing business. He now contemplates erecting another addition of 70x4O feet.

      J. Walter PHELPS's saw, planing, and matching-mills are situated on Jail brook, on road 46. Mr. PHELPS has been in possession of these mills since 1973. He manufactures dimension and house finishing lumber, does planing and matching and general custom work, and turns out of manufactured goods in his line from 250,000 to 300,000 feet annually.

      The National Granite Co. was organized August 23, 1886, with a cash capital of $10,000, and was the first granite stock company formed in Barre. The officers are: William H. MORSE, president; James HALEY, vice-president; W. A. STRONG, secretary; and C. B. MARTIN, treasurer. The board of directors are William H. MORSE, H. N. PARKHURST, R. B. VAUGHAN, John MCGLYNN, and James HALEY. At the end of the first year of success the company increased the capital stock to $50,000, and elected its present board of officers. It is a leading company in the business, and has a pleasant office and shops on the bank of the river. A convenient side track to the works, and a steam derrick, give them convenient facilities for loading their finished goods for shipping. This company turns out monumental, cemetery, fine statuary, and building granite, and employs a force of forty men.

      Sumner KIMBALL's granite shops are located opposite the National Granite Co. Mr. KIMBALL removed his granite works from Montpelier in August, 1886. He also quarries and manufactures, for the wholesale and retail trade, a full line of monumental, cemetery, and building work, and employs from thirty to forty men.

      The Barre granite works have an office and shops opposite the Central Vermont railroad station. Messrs. H. A. DUFFY and W. S. GEORGE are the proprietors. The firm owns quarries of dark and light granite, employs from fifty to sixty men, manufactures every description of monumental, cemetery, and statuary work, and deals in both rough and finished granite. Mr. DUFFY is a practical granite and marble cutter. He came to Barre from Syracuse, N. Y., where he had nineteen years' experience in the business, and, with Daniel J. FRANCIS, was the firm of the "Syracuse Marble and Granite Co." The energy and push of this company has made it one of the leading firms in Barre.

      The firm of W. C. QUINLEN and T. J. MURPHY has granite shops located on S. Main street. They are practical granite cutters. They commenced business January 1, 1887, and moved to their present location May 1, 1887. Mr. QUINLEN was earlier in the business with J. S. YOUNG, now of Montpelier. They manufacture and deal in cemetery and monumental work, in dark and light granite, wholesale and retail, and employ from ten to twelve men.

      Jones Brothers. -- The firm of Jones Brothers have been for many years the largest dealers in monumental work in Boston, their place of business being on Kilby street. They were, likewise, the largest dealers in Barre granite in the market, and often had the majority of the stonecutters in Barre working on their orders. Desiring to possess quarries and shops of their own in Barre, Jones Brothers, in August, 1886, purchased the business of Messrs. MACKIE & SIMPSON. Since acquiring the property Jones Brothers have largely increased the force at both shops and quarries, and now give employment to seventy-five stonecutters and from twenty-five to thirty quarrymen, in addition to teamsters, etc. The firm's shops are on the bank of the river, spur tracks running thereto. Jones Brothers' quarries are eight acres in extent, and the firm deals in both finished and rough stone. They manufacture every class of cemetery and architectural work, and their business in Barre is managed by competent persons. Jones Brothers are in possession of unexcelled facilities for the rapid and economical execution of all orders. They employ skilled draughtsmen and designers, and present much originality in their work.

      Wells, Lamson & Co. This well known firm, which is particularly well qualified to make contracts for the construction of any class of monumental work, and furnish original designs on short notice, was established in March, 1880, by SMITH & WELLS, the organization of the present firm dating January, 1882. The members of the firm are S. O. WELLS, George LAMSON, and J. K. PIRIE. The location of the firm's shops is near the depot, the office being the nearest to the station of any of the granite firms. Two quarries are operated by Wells, Lamson & Co., one embracing fifteen and one-half acres of dark granite, and the other nine and one-half acres, medium in color. Half a hundred men are employed by the firm. The leading business of Wells, Lamson & Co. is in dark granite, which is very popular, for the reason that the contrast between the polished and the hammered surfaces is very great, enabling inscriptions to be distinguished at considerable distances. Every class of monumental work is executed by this firm, but the leading specialty is heavy work, for which their stone is perfectly adapted, and in much favor.

      On arriving m Barre by train the first granite working establishment to attract attention is that of Marr & Gordon, on the right hand side of the railroad track, at the end of the village. Two lines of sheds stand with gables to the railroad, about forty feet apart. Between these sheds is a novelty in the way of a hoisting machine, made in Aberdeen, Scotland.

      A track runs above each building, and spanning the space between is a bridge-like structure that can be moved along the tracks. Upon the bridge is the hoisting machinery, movable, also, so that blocks of granite can be carried from one shed across the court to the other, or from one end of the yard to the other. The apparatus extends over the railroad track, and by it cars are loaded quickly and easily. The apparatus is capable of lifting and carrying twelve tons. Marr & Gordon have been in business in Barre about four years. The individual members of the firm are Charles MARR and Alexander GORDON, both sturdy Scotchmen, who are practical stonecutters, sculptors, and designers. The firm manufacture for the trade exclusively. At their shops Marr & Gordon give employment to fifty men. The firm owns a quarry five acres in extent where they employ fifteen men. Marr & Gordon turn out all classes of granite monumental and architectural work, and do a large business in stone in the rough.

      The Vermont Granite Co. is one of the largest granite working firms in Barre. The location of the works is on the opposite side of the railroad track from the depot building, and the plant has an area of four acres. The Vermont Granite Company was organized April 1, 1887, succeeding the well-known firm of WHITE Brothers, which began business in March, 1882. The company has a capital of $60,000, and its officers are: S. C. WHITE, president; A. E. BRUCE, vice-president; H. K. BUSH, secretary. The directory consists of S. C. WHITE, George F. WHITE, H. K. BUSH, and A. E. BRUCE. The Messrs. WHITE, named in the directory, were the original proprietors of the industry, and both are practical sculptors and stonecutters of over forty years' experience. Mr. H. K. BUSH has been for many years in hotel business at Saratoga Springs and Troy, N. Y., and is a thorough business man, who brings rare discernment and executive ability to the company.  The Messrs. BRUCE formerly composed the firm of Bruce Brothers, who conducted stonecutting works in Barre. The Vermont Granite Co. owns 110 acres of quarry property, in different parcels, and their wide range covers every variety of granite found in Barre. The company gives employment to over 100 hands in the various departments of the industry -- stonecutting, quarrying, polishing, hauling, etc. Every facility here exists for the rapid and economical conduct of the business, and the company is able to dress granite at the least possible expense. The leading business of the company is in furnishing granite monuments at wholesale, and in dealing in rough granite, shipped in blocks. The company also sells granite quarries.

      Forsyth & Ingram's granite works are located off Granite street, west of the railroad. The members of the firm, S. H. FORSYTH and James INGRAM, are granite cutters of twenty years' experience. They engaged in business in Barre in 1882, and now occupy the shops formerly occupied by E. L. SMITH & Co. They have every desirable facility for successfully carrying on their large business, including a derrick operated by steam. They quarry, manufacture, and deal in monumental, fine carved, and statuary work in light and dark Barre granite. The firm has established a branch agency at 1313 Washington avenue, St. Louis, Mo. They employ forty men.

      James CORDINER's granite shops are located opposite Central Vermont railroad station. Mr. CORDINER is a practical granite cutter and commenced business in Barre in 1887, and manufactures for wholesale and retail all kinds of monumental and cemetery work. He gives employment to twelve or fifteen hands.

      E.A. WILKINSON's granite works are located on South Main street, where he manufactures a full line of monumental and cemetery work, for the wholesale and retail trade, and gives employment to from ten to fifteen men. Mr. WILKINSON was in business one year with G. W. MANN, previous to 1882.  They were the first to use steam-power for polishing granite. In 1882 he formed a partnership in the business with S. B. HUSE. At the end of six months he bought Mr. HUSE's interest and took as a partner William P. DAY. The firm of Wilkinson & Day closed in July, 1886. Since then Mr. WILKINSON has continued alone.

      Smith & Hopkins (E. F. SMITH, late of E. L. Smith & Co., and F. H. HOPKINS) have granite shops north of Marr & Gordon's. This firm commenced business May 1, 1887. They turn out monumental, statuary, and cemetery work, for wholesale and retail trade, and employ from twelve to fifteen men.

      Emslie & Coburn's granite works are located opposite the Central Vermont railroad station. The firm, William EMSLIE and Alexander COBURN, practical granite cutters, commenced business in the spring of 1886. They turn out monumental and statuary work and all kinds of Barre granite, are wholesale and retail dealers, and employ sixteen men.

      W.M. WARLEY's granite shops are located on Summer street. Mr. WARLEY started the business in Barre in the spring of 1879, when the granite industry was just being developed and only a few men were engaged in the business. Mr. WARLEY was then of the firm of BATCHELDER, WARLEY & Co., and successively since of the firms of WARLEY Bros. and WARLEY & WILLIAMS. Since January 1, 1887, he has conducted the business alone. He deals in both rough and finished granite, and employs sixteen men.

      A.H. GAMBLE's granite works are on South Main street in Barre. Mr. GAMBLE commenced the business with Charles YOUNG, in the winter of 1882 and '83. In May, 1887, he sold his interest to his partner, intending to remove to New York. Circumstances prevented his removal and he reentered the granite business in Barre. He manufactures monumental and cemetery work for the wholesale trade, and employs from ten to fifteen men.

      Carnes & Kane's granite cutting and polishing shops are located at East Barre village. Mr. CARNES commenced business in 1879, and then employed but one man. In 1885 he built the shops, 50 by 20 feet, now occupied by the firm, and put in two polishing machines. Mr. KANE became his partner in 1886. The firm owns two quarries and turns out a general line of monumental and statuary, rough and polished, granite work, and gives employment to twenty men.

      P.O. WHEATON's granite quarry, the first opened in Barre, produces a quality adapted to building purposes, of which Mr. WHEATON makes a specialty. His shops are located near Cobble hill. Mr. WHEATON employs in summer twenty men and in winter from six to eight.

      MANN Brothers' granite shops (George W. and Ambrose) are located east of the railroad and north of Marr & Gordon. This firm quarrys and manufactures at wholesale and retail, cemetery and monumental granite, and employs about twenty-five men. Mr. George W. MANN is one of Barre's pioneers in the granite business.

      Fraser & Cassie (James FRASER and George CASSIE), both practical granite cutters, have shops located just north of Marr & Gordon. They commenced business in June, 1887. This firm also manufactures, for the wholesale and retail trade, Barre granite, for monumental and cemetery purposes; and employs from fifteen to twenty men.

      Littlejohn & Barclay (S. L. LITTLEJOHN and William BARCLAY), practical granite cutters of fifteen years' experience, have shops on the bank of the river, north of Jones Bros. The firm commenced business in April, 1887. They manufacture from Barre granite, cemetery, monumental and statuary work, for wholesale and retail trade, and employ sixteen men.

      Milne & Connan (Alexander MILNE and John CONNAN), manufacturers of Barre granite, have shops just north of Jones Bros. Mr. MILNE commenced business in Barre in 1886. In May, 1887, Mr. CONNAN became his partner. They are doing a wholesale and retail business in monumental and statuary work, and employ about twenty men.

      Milne & Wyllie (George B. MILNE and William S. WYLLIE) have granite shops opposite Lane & Moore's planing-mills. They are young men and practical workmen, and natives of Scotland. They began business in Barre in April, 1886, and are manufacturing monuments and fine statuary, for wholesale and retail trade, and employ twenty men.

      Herlihy & Williams (M. C. HERLIHY and Thomas WILLIAMS) formed this co-partnership January 1, 1887. Their shops are opposite the National Granite Co. They employ about thirty men in the manufacture of all kinds of granite work for building and monumental purposes, and do a wholesale and retail business.

      Edgar NORTON's granite shops are just north of Jones Bros., on the river bank. Mr. NORTON commenced business in Barre January 1, 1886, is a practical granite cutter, and is acquainted with every detail of the business. He employs fifteen men in manufacturing, for the wholesale and retail trade, all kinds of cemetery and statuary work.

      J.E. SULLIVAN has a granite shop just west of the National Granite Co. Mr. SULLIVAN has had over twenty years' experience as a practical workman in the business. He commenced business in Barre in the winter of 1884 and 1885. He turns out a general line of manufactured goods for the wholesale and retail trade. and employs from ten to fifteen men.

      Alexander Grant & Co. are sculptors and designers, and make a specialty of fine carved statuary work. Mr. GRANT, the senior member of this firm, was born in Parish Alvah, Banffshire, Scotland. He came to America in 1872, and learned his trade in Hallowell, Maine. He has the honor of carving the first figure in granite in Vermont, and has since executed some of the most celebrated pieces of statuary in this country. Mr. A. J. DINGLE, the junior member of the firm, was born in Cornwall, England, and came to this country in 1881. He has also executed some very fine statuary work.

      James AHERN, manufacturer of all kinds of quarrymen's and stonecutters' tools, came from Rhode Island, and commenced his manufacturing business November 1, 1886. His shop is located at the foot of Granite street, and is furnished with an eight-horse power upright steam engine. Mr. AHERN employs four men.

      E.C. FRENCH, manufacturer of granite, commenced business in 1883, where E. A. WILKINSON is now engaged. In 1885 he moved to his present location, on South Main street. He executes monumental and cemetery work of all kinds, for wholesale and retail trade, and employs ten men.

      Charles YOUNG's granite works are located on South Main street. Mr. YOUNG commenced business in the spring of 1883, with A. H. Gamble as his partner, where H. A. DUFFY now has a shop. In the ensuing fall they moved to his present quarters. In the fall of 1887 Mr. GAMBLE retired from the firm and Mr. YOUNG continues alone. He turns out all kinds of monumental and cemetery work, and employs from fifteen to twenty men.

      L.W. WHITCOMB & Son's granite polishing shops are located on Stevens Branch, Factory Village, and are run by a thirty-horse power steam engine. Their works contain thirteen polishing machines and employ fifteen men. They do all kinds of work in their line.

      John MCDONALD and Alexander BUCHAN, natives of Scotland, are both practical stonecutters, and commenced business in June, 1884, under the firm name of McDonald & Buchan. They then employed one man. Their business has increased constantly, and they now employ thirty men in the manufacture of all kinds of granite, but make a specialty of carved and drapery work.

      Staffords & Batchelder manufacture all kinds of polished granite columns and pilasters, for buildings. This enterprise is the only one of its kind in Barre. The industry was instituted in December, 1885, by the firm of STAFFORD & LADD. In April, 1887, Mrs. J. H. BATCHELDER purchased the interest of LADD, and since then the business has been conducted under the present firm name. They now also turn out urns, vases, and round work in either large or small pieces, rough or polished. The shops are at the foot of Granite street. The firm employs five men.

      Hobbs & McDonald manufacture, deal in and repair all kinds of stonecutters' and quarrymen's tools. Their shops are located near FORSYTH & INGRAM's granite shops, off the foot of Granite street, and are run by a twelve-horse power upright steam engine. They employ four men. Mr. HOBBS commenced business January 1, 1887, and Mr. MCDONALD became his partner April 15 of the same year.

      Lane & Moore (W. A. LANE and A. D. MOORE) are proprietors of a steam planing-mill, located at the foot of Granite street. They are young men and thorough mechanics. They commenced business in September, 1885. They are dealers in rough and dressed hard and soft wood lumber, moldings, sheathing, and house finishing lumber, and are jobbers in general wood work.

      E.L. SMITH & Co. (E. L., John E., and Donald Smith), quarrymen, are wholesale and retail dealers in rough and finished, light and dark, Barre granite, monumental, cemetery, and statuary work. This firm gives employment to about forty men. Mr. E. L. SMITH began business on Cobble hill, in the spring of 1868, and has continued in the granite business from that time to the present (1888). He has been associated as partner in several firms, and has been in this special business a longer time than any other man in Barre. In the long time he has been in the business he has furnished granite for the construction of the Methodist seminary and postoffice buildings in Montpelier, the Reform school at Waterbury, and an incalculable amount for numerous other buildings. Mr. Smith was the first in Barre to quarry granite in winter; first to place on his quarry a permanent derrick; first to adopt the steam drill; and the first to use the electric battery in blasting.
 
 
 

Gazetteer Of Washington County, Vt. 1783-1899, 
Compiled and Published by Hamilton Child,
Edited By William Adams.
The Syracuse Journal Company, Printers and Binders.
Syracuse, N. Y.; April, 1889.
Pages 139 - 148

Transcribed by Karima Allison, 2003