Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-01-13
A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY
FORTYYEARS OF MERCANTILE BUSl-
NESS IN BURLlNG7 ON.
Founding and Growth of the Dry Goods
House of Lyman Il Allen-Interesting
miniscenoes-January !, 1SiS,
to January I, 1883.

On Jan. /, 1S4s Edward Lyman entered
uponhls business career in Burlington.
The new year, 1883 finds him still with an
interest in the same department of trade,
the senior partner of the house established
by him and a witness to its prosperity aud
to its ever increasing reputation for the
qualities that always distinguished the
founder of it, judgment, taste, enterprise
and integrity
Mr. Lyman began his business life as
clerk in n dry goods store at Woodstock.
He came to Burlington from Boston De
cember Is, 1917. Means of transpor-
tation have changed since then. lie
could then come by rail only as
far "A, Lebanon, y. II. From Montpelier,
he travelled through the mud in au open
stage drawn by six horses and the ter
minus OF the stage line in Burlington was
the American Hotel. January lst., lS4S,
under The firm name of f.. & +. Lyman,
he entered into partnership with Mr..
Elias Lyman an established dry goods
merchant here. At the end of three years
he purchased his partners interest and
continued business alone until August
1868, at the same stand, the Lyman block
Oh the corner of Church and College
streets. Mr. Lyman believed in the GOV
erument of the | nited states and that it
would, in due time, stamp out secession.
He was therefore q bold purchaser during
the war and profited in proportion to his
faith.
In lsGS. he admitted to au interest in the
firm, Mr.. Heman ". Allen, a clerk, whose
wide acquaintance, high character and
business qualities had made him of great
service. The firm now became Lyman x
Allen, and under this name, irs reputa-
tiOn mas extended through all avenues of
trade in this State, Northern New York,
the Champlain Naley and wherever Bur
lington Is at all known.
In S19 the firm moved to their present
spacious and elegant quarters in the How
ard Opera House block, occupying
large double store. Whatever taste and
money can do has been done
to supply any demand for dry goods
that exists In this market. Indeed
much is done to cultivate taste and
create demand for the best grades
both in staples and for fancy goods, so
that it has come to be understood that
both rich and poor can supply their wants
at Lyman x Aliens aud, best of all, that
every dollar expended there Is returned in
an honest and exact equivalent.
In 1862 Mr.. Lyman added a wholesale
and iobbing department to hil business
which, with improved facilities, has now
grown to large proportions. Young blood
is a needful element in all business Recog-
nizing this fact the firm admitted TO an
interest with them Mr.. +. ID. Aberuethy for
six years Il clerk in their employ. The
wisdom of this step, Mr.. Abernethy has
more than justified by his taste and Judge
ment as a purchaser in the city markets
and by his success as a salesman at home.
The store of Lyman x Allen IS a pleas
ant one to visit. 1t Is spacious and airy,
aud the tasteful display of choice goods,
makes the handsOmest of decorations. The
clerks are ladies and gentlemen, and h ave
the appearance OF being in the service of
considerate employers and Of enjoying
their work.
We are glad to chronicle the success OF
this firm, tor it is a credit to our city, and
illustrates the natural growth of an hon
est business, faithfully conducted here, at
home, in the prettest city in the country.
In 1850 when the institution now known
as the Merchants National Bank was
chaltened, Mr.. Lyman was chosen one
of its directors and has remained a di-
rector, without interruption, up to the
present time, having been during this
period, elected president and vice -presi-
dent respectively. He resigned the posi-
ton of president in 1885. He has also
been president for some years of the
Farmers and Mechanics Savings Institu-
ton and Trust company. Mr.. Lyman is
a man of great public spirit and has al
ways been a hearty and liberal promoter
of all organizations worthy of encourage
ment in the community. His kind and
genial temperament ana manners nave
made him favorte of the young, and
in early days, he was connected with
MAN. circles where young life and energy
found innocent diversion ald exercise.
We remember him as leader of the
choir of the Unitarian church, as an
officer of the Boxer Engine company, as
first lieutenant of the Howard guard and
as n leader of the cornet band, and geuer-
orally, as a pleasant Comrade in orSduiZI
tiUus OF like character.
These notes are not intended as an
eulogy, but the anniversary of 40 years ot
continuous labor and growth in and with
thl~ community deserves commemoration
aud record.
10 Nr. Lyman is wished long life and
hapui s., and to the business interests
Wi'H which he is identified due cGntinu-
aLu- u. well deserved success.