Vermont AHGP
Part of the American History and
Genealogy Project
Colbyville, Vermont
Colbyville is in the same school district as Mill Village, the school-house being midway between the two. This village is sufficiently elevated to give a fine surrounding view, and is really a pleasant location. On the lower fall, Enoch Bean, near the beginning of the present century, put in operation a carding-machine, and a number of years carded the wool for nearly all the people in this and the surrounding towns. About the same time, O. C. Rood put up here a potato whisky distillery, and run it as long as self-interest or a true sense of moral propriety, in his judgment, rendered it advisable. In 1855, E. P. Butler and E. Parker purchased the place, and on the same falls erected a factory and commenced making starch from potatoes.
On the upper falls Mr. Butler built a sawmill, which to the present time has been in operation. Grow Butler, son of the owner, was drowned in the flume of the mill while helping his father in making some repairs, and George Rood, son of O. C. Rood, was instantly killed here by a log rolling on him when unloading a sled. After Butler and Parker discontinued making starch, the building was used by S. S. Spicer as a tannery, but only for a short time, as it was soon burned and tanning never resumed here. The village at this time has about a dozen dwelling-houses and a few mechanics'' shops. The beautiful mansion of George J. Colby, probably is the best arranged and most tasteful in finish of any one, outside of Montpelier, within in the county. But what gave name and prominence to the village was the manufacturing establishment of Colby Brothers and Co.
The business of the Colby Brothers, established in 1857, in its various branches embracing the growing and peeling of willows, and the manufacturing them into various useful wares ; the making of the machines for peeling, and also clothes wringers. Children's cabs, etc., in all the branches of their business, was a new enterprise for this part of the country, and is entitled to special notice, for its important effect on the prosperity of the place for several years. But for a material financial error involved in an expensive lawsuit, and the unequal railroad exactions for freight, this business might have continued to contribute to the prosperity and welfare of the town.
Colby Brothers & Co., manufacturers of children's carriages, velocipedes and Colby's patent wringers, afford an example of what may be done by persistent effort and enterprise, with little capital or encouragement. In 1856, the older brothers, George J. and Edwin A. Colby, came from Bolton and purchased a shop and about 30 acres of land, on which 2 or 3 acres of willows had been planted by Dea. E. Parker, the former owner. The shop was furnished with machinery, and for a year or two the Colbys hired this. The senior brother was 23, and the other 21, and the only business with which they were familiar was farming. They peeled their first crop of willows in 1857, and at once began making custom work and machines invented by George for peeling willows. Next year they employed a first-class willow-worker, Mr. Laudt, who is now a stockholder with them, and began making willow cabs. At first they bought the wheels in Massachusetts, but soon manufactured them themselves.
In 1860, through new partners, the capital was increased to $11,000, and the firm became Howden, Colby & Co. The same year they began the manufacture of clothes wringers, also an invention of the senior brother. These are said to be the first made with frames of galvanized iron, and were almost the first to find extensive sale. In 1864, with additional partners, the capital was increased to $28,000, and the name of the firm was Colby Bros. & Co. 1865, a joint stock company was formed, and the capital increased to $75,000, The firm have now (1871), a capital of $86,000, with 15 buildings, extending over 40,000 sq. ft. Besides, the Company have purchased and built some dozen houses for dwellings. Over $50,000 of the capital is employed in the cab manufacture, and about $30,000 in making wringers. About 50 hands are required on the cabs, which have a market value of nearly $100,000, and vary in price from $3 to $100. They go to all parts of this country and to foreign lands, and are not surpassed in beauty of finish and in durability.
Source: History of Washington County Vermont, Collated and Published by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1882.
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