The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-11-01
Early Industries Of
Bennington and
Their Gradual
Growth Into
Importance
Of Today
CONSTANT CHANGE
AND PROGRESS
OF 100 YEARS

A little more than thirty years ago,
or to be exact, in 1889 was printed an
excellent history Of Bennington coun-
IT, edited by Lewis Casg Aldrich,
While it was in part reprint OF
earlier works taere was also much
new matter prepared by citizens of
Bennington county.
The chapter on affairs in Bennng.
ton, town and village as they were at
that time, was written by the late
Henry ID. Hall of North bennington
Mr. Hall, who died only few years
ago will be remembered by most Ben
nngton people of mature years. He
was a grandson Of Governor HilanG
Hall and always took keen interest
in historical matters. The Banner
would like to reprint his entire article
but cannot afford to use the space it
would require.
Below are parts OF the chapter writ,
ten by Mr.. Hall in the Aldrich his
tory. In reading this historical mat
ter it should be remembered that it
was written in 1888 or 1889 and where
he speaks Of existing things as they
were at that date. Following are
some extracts from Mr. Halls work
though not exactly in the order in
which the matter was printed:
In the early part of this chapter,
relating to the village of Bennington,
mention was made Of some, a few Of
its pioneer manufacturing interests,
but not all Of its early business enter.
prises of this character were noted,
nor is it possible that all can be
noticed in this branch or division Of
the subject. But there were some not
heretofore named that will be men
toned incidentally as having formerly
stood on the site Of some prominent
industry of the present time, while
there were probably others that may
now be entirely forgotten. The ques-
ton is often asked How is ii that
the comparatively small village OF
Bennington possesses so many knit
goods factories?" The answer is
simple enough When the Bradfords
General George and Henry H., started
the business in the village (for these
persons are conceded to have been the
pioneers of this industry in the place.
their enterprise was IN measure eX
detrimental, but before long it became
known that the experiment was de
cidedly successful This induced 9th
ers to engage in Che like manufacture
which also being success, firm after
firm was organized, and the final re
suit came that gave Bennington it!
present enyiable reputation as an I'm
portant manufacturing village.
The Bradford Mills-The name jus
used is coined for convenience, and il
not used by the proprietors as dis
tnguishing term In 1853 Henry h
Bradford built little frame building
just back of the present factory am
in the following year commenced tn
manufacture Of wooden cloths, am
60 continued for about tree years
when he changed the machinery AM
commenced The manufacture of knl
underwear. shirts and drawers. TIL
building he occupied was twice Dc
stroyed by fire, but as frequently r.
built After short time Georg
Bradford became interested with hi
brother, and so continued until 1856
but at the latter date withdrew an
took what was known as the Uppe
Works. When George Bradford wer
into the concern the firm style OF |
Il. Bradford & Co. was adopted, an
has ever since been used, anc NJ
withstanding the fact that Henry
Bradford has been dead for MOI
than ten years.
Upon the withdrawal of Gener
Bradford from the business, Lyman
Abott, who had been for some yea
an employee in the mills, became OF
OF the firm, and one year later,
1854, John Kelso acquired an intere
in the concern, and thereafter Il
mills were conducted with excellel
results to the interested partners,
April. 1878, Mr.. Bradford, the SEMI
member of the firm, and founder
the business "uiee. AT tnat time q
remaining members We're Lyman
Abbott, John Kelso, and William
Bradford, the latter a son Oh henry
Bradford. Upon Mr. Bradford's deaf
Edward W. Bradford another SO
took an interest In the business, viii
was thencelorth conducted until lSS
at watch time Mr. Kelso withdre
From that until the present time, t
firm styled II. e. Bradford & Co. b