News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-11-27
Simeon b. Buxton.

In the death of Simeon B. Buxton,
Vermont loses ont OF it's active bust
ness men of half a century ago. At
that time his name was familiar
throughout the state as Buxton,
the waterwheel man."
In the early settlement of the state,
the primitive Sup and down" saw
mill was one of the necessities of the
inhabitants and well served their
purpose. But, as the hillsides and
valleys became denuded of natures
covering and unable to hold back the
water from the rains and melting
SHOWS, the mill streams not only be-
came smaller but more itful and IN
reliable; while the demand for lumber
constantly increased, To meet these
conditions, Timothy Rose of Cort-
landville, N. Y, invented and pat
ented an iron waterwheel especially
adapted to driving these up and
down mills. 1t soon supplanted the
wooden. or "futter," wheel of the
early millwrights, and became a gen
eral favOrite among mill owners. 1t
required less than half the water of
the old wheels and gave a quicker
motion and stronger power.
Being a natural mechanic, Mr.. Bux-
ton was not slow in compromising
the advantages possessed by this
wheel and soon negotiated with Mr..
Rose for the right to use it in Yer
mont. The first one of these wheels
put to use in northern Vermont was
purchased by the writer and put into
the mill now owned by FL. S. Haskins,
adjoining the farm of John Gray,
which | then owned. 1t vas put in
by Mr.. Buxton himself. Contrary to
the predictions of my friends, who
thought me a "fool" for allowing
my wooden wheel to be destroyed
and replaced by an iron one of whose
merits | had no proof, the result was
a grand success. 1t proved more
than satisfactory. Mill owners from
far and near came to witness its
working and every one went away
with the thought in his mind, Il
want one." OF course | was loud in
it's praise, and Mr., Buxton was as.
sured of success in his new enterprise.
He soon besought me to take the
agency for these wheels-to canvass
the northern part of this state, and
sell and put in wheels,
| closed a trade with him, and dur
ing the succeeding ten years | devoted
much of my time to that business. |
covered the northern part of the
State, and the adjacent townships in
Canada, besides other territory out
side of our anticipating wheels
into over 100 different sawmills,
gristmills, starch factories, &c. AS
Mr.. B. had several other agents
operating in other parts of the State
during this period, it will be seen that
his duties were onerous, and required
great executive ability to keep the
wheels rolling" He had great YER
satility of talent and met the ever
varying obstacles in his business but
to overcome them in an honorable
way. At first his wheels were made
at Rutland, but he subsequently pur-
chased the Montpelier Foundry and
Machine Shop and thereafter made his
wheels in his own shop.
After we'll covering his territory
with wheels he sold out his Montpel-
Ter property and retired from active
business. Thus closing a business
period of a life, fraught with toll and
hardships both in season and out OF
season-of vigilent care and exciting
anxieties. And, as a tribute to his
memory, l may be allowed to say
that during all my social and bust
ness relations with him, covering a
period of more than Is years of time
and aggregating thousands and
thousands of dollars in business, !
ever found him a true friend at all
times and a strictly honest and hon.
orable man in all his dealings.
But, having so long led such an
active and laborious life, the yoke Of
idleness did not rest easily upon bis
shoulders. He subsequently came tc
Hyde Park and purchased an interest
in the mercantile business of the late
Charles button, who occupied the
"Sherwin" store. twas a disastrous
move and resulted in great loss tc
MIR. Buxton, although through nc
|, fault of his. While here he married
the widow OF our lamented DR.. Isaac
M. Newcomb. 1t vas his second mar
riage. They had one child, Mrs. B. B
Blake of Eden, who tenderly cared
for her father in his last sickness, anC
! at whose house he died. Mrs. Buxton
: survives her husband, but is in feebl,
health. L. b. SHERwIN.
Hyde Park, Nov. 26, 1901.
When you feel that life is hardly worth tn
candle take a dose of Chamberlain's Stomach
o,5 7 ;uo. TabIofo Tbov Mill oloonaa -,