BALLARD FAMILY, The.-The surname Ballard stands not only for one of the pioneer families of Georgia, but for a family that has been as prominently connected with the social and political history of the town as any within its limits, and for a family, too, that has contributed as much to the prosperity of the town as any other that can be named. Josiah Ballard, the pioneer, was born February 7, 1766, and died April 11,1836.  Polly Loomis Ballard, whom Joseph married on November 14,1793. was born May 5, 1775. Their children were as follows: Laura, born, November 11,1794, married Truman Chase, of Westford, and had a family of five children; Orrin, born May 26, 1797; Joseph, jr., born July 10, 1799, became a Baptist minister, and died in Norwalk, Conn.; Hiram, born August 25, 1801; E. Miranda, born October 28, 1808, married Chloe P. Jocelyn, September 20, 1836; Royal T., born October 21, 1810; Polly, born May 17, 1813; and Loomis, born March 1, 1816.

BALLARD, Harrison H., is descended from pioneer stock in Georgia. He was the fifth of seven children of Hiram and Olive E. (Walker) Ballard, and at the age of fifteen commenced farm work, helping his father, who was in feeble health. Eventually he became the owner of his father's farm by paying to his brothers and sisters the value of their shares in the property. The place contains 225 acres, and is known as one of the best and most productive farms in Georgia. Besides being a farmer Mr. Ballard has raised some of the best horses in the county. On December 17, 1874, he married Tina, daughter of Frederick Andrews, of Ypsilanti, Mich. By this marriage three children have been born. Mr. Ballard is interested in Georgia politics, not, however, as an office seeker, but as one who feels an interest in the town's welfare. He is always at the polls at election time, for he knows that in Georgia there are some interesting and exciting contests, and it cannot be said that Mr. Ballard holds entirely aloof from participating in them.

BALLARD, Joseph, the well known and successful farmer of Georgia, was born on the farm he owns, and on which he now resides, on the 8th of July, 1838. He is descended from one of the old families of the town, and of a family each generation of which has produced strong men mentally and physically. His parents were Orris and Chloe Priscilla Ballard, and of their family of seven children he was the second. He has always lived on the home farm, which descended to him upon the death of his father, but he had to pay the other heirs the value of their shares of the property. The father died in May, 1883. In 1864 Joseph Ballard married Mariette Augusta, daughter of Chellis Kingsley, of Georgia, of which marriage four children have been born. Mr. Ballard has been an active man in the political affairs of Georgia and has held a number of town offices. For three years prior to 1890 he was selectman, and has served as lister for a number of terms.   He is a strong Republican and a leader in his community.

BLISS, Orville S., born in Georgia on the 27th of June, 1826, is the son of Abner and Eloise (Nichols) Bliss, and of their children the eldest These children were Orville S.; Harriet, wife of Jared Dee; Edward C, who died in Mexico in 1869; Edgar E., who died in 1858; Frederick F., now of Westford; and George A., who was killed in the army June 1, 1863. Orville S. Bliss married, November 30, 1853, Eunice H daughter of Hiram Soule, of Fairfield, of which marriage three children have been born, as follows: Abner, a merchant of Georgia; Clara, now principal of the Elm street primary school of St. Albans; and Nelle, of Georgia. In 1862 Mr. Bliss moved to Fairfield, but his residence in that town continued only about five years, when he returned to Georgia. He has been a somewhat prominent figure in the political affairs of Georgia, but has never been an office seeker. His ideas on political questions are decidedly radical, for he despises knavery and sham and all things pertaining to machine methods.  His attitude has frequently brought upon him the anathemas of his opponents, but his course has always been characterized by fairness and candor. His life has been devoted to promoting the interests of the county and its citizens.

CALDWELL, William A., was born in Georgia on April 23. 1823. Charles Caldwell, his grandfather, came from Guilford, Conn., prior to 1800, and settled in the town of Georgia. His children were Samuel, Ira, George, William, Charles, jr., Allen A., Rachel, Abigail, Harriet, Mary Ann, Catherine, and Susan, the last named of whom is the only one now living. Ira, the second child, was born in April, 1800, and married Mary Blake. They had a family of five children, as follows: Mariette, William A., Ira S., George, and Homer A. Of these only William and Homer are now living. When William A. Caldwell was ten years old his father died, and the care of the family fell upon the mother, but as the father left a comfortable property the family necessities were easily supplied. In 1856, on February 27th, William A. married Adelia M. Ballard, of Georgia. Mr. Caldwell is reckoned among the leading men of his town, and occupying that position he has been frequently honored with town office. He was one of the selectmen from 1869 to 1874 ; in 1872 he was elected representative; and in 1873 he was chosen town constable and collector, and has since held these offices. Besides this he is well known as a successful business man. He owns the old property at the Center, and is otherwise interested in Georgia's best institutions.

CONGER, George Parker, a native of St. Albans, was born November 24, 1816, the son of Reuben and Sarah (Neil) Conger, and of their nine children the third. The early years of his life were spent in various occupations, he having worked as wheelwright, speculated, and been in the railroad business for a number of years prior to 186L In that year, in September, he raised Company B, First Vermont Cavalry, and was elected and commissioned its captain. After serving about a year Captain Conger resigned, and returned home, eventually buying a farm in the north part of Georgia, where he lived until he moved to his present home at the Center. Captain Conger has been three times married, first to Dolly Basford, by whom he had one child, Stephen. His second wife was Fanny (Hyde) Dearborn, a widow by whom he had no children. The third wife, to whom he was married in June, 1881, was Catherine A. Bliss, widow of Abel Bliss, but whose maiden name was Catherine A. Dunham.

CURTIS, James K., son of Elijah Curtis and grandson of John Curtis, was born in Burlington on the 20th of February, 1845. His father, Elijah, was born in Stanstead, Canada, and came with his father, John, and family to St. Albans about 1832. Elijah learned the trade of wheelwright in Burlington, but in 1851 he came to Georgia and became engaged in farming. He married Caroline Beals, of St Albans, and had four children: Joseph, who died in infancy; James K ; Sarah C, who married John R. Holyoke; and Atherton T., who also died in infancy. James K. Curtis was reared on the farm, and is now known as one of the most successful and enterprising farmers of Georgia. His farm consists of 340 acres, than which there is none better in the whole town. He has been prominent in town affairs, being a leading and representative Republican. In 1878 and 1879 he was lister: in 1880 he represented the town; he served as selectman in 1881; and in 1890 was chosen lister for another term. In January, 1872, Mr. Curtis married Martha E. Allen, by whom he had four children : Atherton T., Helen L., Edward A., and Harry B.

DEE FAMILY, The.-Elijah Dee came to Georgia from Saybrook, Conn., in 1791, bringing his wife and children and personal effects on an ox-sled in the dead of winter.  These children were John, who died in Illinois; Marian, who married Abner Bliss; Elijah, who married Clara Loomis, and after her decease married Polly Post; Jared, who married Harriet Bliss; Hiram P.; Ella and Clara (twins); and George B., William, Washington, Hannah, Jeremiah, Parmelia, Mercy, and Polly. Some of these children were born in Georgia. The children of Elijah and Clara (Loomis) Dee were Diana and Augusta, both of whom are now dead. Those by the second marriage were Clarissa, Polly, Harrison, Gustavus, Elijah, Jared, William, Henry, Azuba, Clarissa, 2d, and John. Jared Dee, whose home is commonly called " the checkered house" on account of its peculiar construction, is one of the substantial farmers of Georgia On January 31, 1856, he married Harriet Bliss and has four children, as follows: Hiram P., a lawyer of St. Albans; Ellen and Clara (twins); and George B.

HOTCHKISS, Cephas Appolos, born in Georgia, June 27, 1834, is a son of Cyrus and Mary (Towne) Hotchkiss and the grandson of James Hotchkiss, a pioneer of the town.  The latter has a family of three sons and four daughters, but Cephas was the only child of Cyrus and Mary. Cyrus Hotchkiss was a merchant of the town doing business at Georgia Plains, and in the store Cephas A. was educated in mercantile pursuits. But his father was also prosperous as a farmer, and the son, following in the paternal foot-steps, became himself a successful agriculturist. Cyrus died in 1875 and Cephas inherited his goodly fortune. In local politics he has been quite prominent. His first political trust in 1858 and 1859 was as lister, and from that time to the present he has held some town office. In 1870 and again in 1876 he was elected representative. In 1890 be was first selectman. That Mr. Hotchkiss is an extensive farmer is evidenced by the fact that his lands embrace some 575 acres. He has been thrice married. His first wife, whom he married August 10, 1859, was Cordelia M. Ladd, by whom he had six children.  She died January 23, 1876, and April 22, 1877, he married Mariam J. Bliss, who died nine months later. His third wife was Hattie M. (Hotchkiss) Learned, to whom he was married October 12, 1887.

HUBBARD, Orrin C, was one of the most enterprising husbandmen of Georgia, whose excellent farm is situated on the road leading from Georgia Center to the county seat.  He is not a native of the town, but was born in Swanton, April 18, 1840. His parents were Curtis B. and Sarah Hubbard, and of their three children he was the second.  Orrin worked on his father's farm until he became of age, when he enlisted in the infantry service, but on account of his grandfather's sickness he was called to the care of his grandmother and their property. To release himself from his enlistment he was obliged to procure a substitute at a sum of $300. In 1863 Mr. Hubbard became a permanent resident of Georgia and has since lived there. In 1870, on the 16th of March, he was married to Pollie A. Howard and they have one daughter, Sarah J. About 1875 he purchased the Kimball farm, that on which he now lives, of about 175 acres, and his efforts and industry have made it one of the best farms in the town.

HURLBUT, Adam W., born in Georgia, August 23, 1841, is a son of John J. and Abigail (Austin) Hurlbut, the children of whom were Jane, Edson, Ebenezer, Byron J., Adam W., Hannah E., Walter, and Amanda. John J. Hurlbut was born in 1803 and died about 1873. His wife prior to this marriage was a widow and had one child, Diana, who died in Michigan. Adam W. Hurlbut was educated at the common schools and attended one terra at the Johnson Academy. When about twenty years of age for the benefit of his heath he went to Massachusetts, and then to sea, where he engaged in mackerel fishing, but afterwards returned to Georgia In 1870 he married Betsey, daughter of Adam V. Wightman, of Georgia, by whom he had five children, three of whom, John W., Albert E., and Jennie, are living. Prior to his marriage Mr. Hurlbut was engaged in farming, the duties of housekeeper being performed by his sister. He hired the old home farm of his father for some years, but subsequently purchased and still owns it.

HURLBUT, Edson E., was born in Georgia, December 15, 1834, the son of John J. and Abigail (Austin) Hurlbut. He was educated in the common schools of the town and attended the Bakersfield Academy for two terms, but as he was the eldest son his help was required on the farm. The young man had a strong inclination for the Western country, but he was persuaded to remain in Georgia In 1864 he purchased the Samuel Barber farm, containing 150 acres, on which he paid down $700. but the balance of the purchase price, $4,300, he paid during the next eight years. (Here is a lesson for some of the now discouraged farmers of Vermont) After completing his payments Mr.  Hurlbut rebuilt and repaired the old farm buildings on the place, and his is now one of the finest and most productive farms in the county. In 1858 Edson E. Hurlbut married Charlotte Jaynes. of Georgia, and they had a family of nine children, as follows: Benjamin Franklin, a Baptist clergyman of Dutchess county, N. Y.; Elmer, of St. Albans; Wilber and Myrtie, of Bakersfield; and Chester, Pearl, and two who died in infancy.

JUDD, Sidney L., was born in the town of Fairfield, Vt, September 20, 1843. His parents, Alson S. and Sally C. (Barnes) Judd, had four children, Sidney being the eldest The father, who was born in Sheldon, was descended from one of the old families of that town. In 1858 he moved to Georgia and died there in 1886, his wife having passed away some years earlier. Sidney was brought up to farm work, and has always been an industrious husbandman. He has raised, too, and furnished for the market some of the best horses bred in his town. His farm comprises about 250 acres.  In January, 1865, Mr. Judd married Barbara D., daughter of Elizabeth and Lewis Storey, of Fairfax. They have had a family of four children: Sanford D , Walter S., Henry W., and Lana B.

LADD, Ephraim L., born in Milton, July 26, 1832, is the second of four children born to Alfred and Samantha Ladd. He was reared on his father's farm, and attended the district schools of the town, but when he attained his majority he traveled about for some five years. In March, 1848, he married Fanny A. Leonard, after which he came to Georgia and began farming. Five years later he sold out and went to Illinois, and there engaged in the same pursuit, but ten years later failing health necessitated his return to Vermont, where he has since resided. Mr. Ladd, when he started out in life, had no capital save his determination, but his business life has been reasonably successful. His father was a substantial and well-to-do farmer, and of the latter's estate he inherited some property. Although not a church member he has contributed to the maintenance of the Baptist church at Georgia Plains, and other societies as well. In town affairs he has held the offices of selectman and lister, and in 1890 he was one of the town auditors. The children of Ephraim L. and Fanny A. Ladd are Oscar B., Caroline (Mrs. Nathan N. Post), and Hattie (Mrs. Frederick W. Bliss).

MEIGS, Sanford Timothy, was born in St. Albans township, February 18, 1822, and died September 5, 1891. His residence in Georgia began in 1851, when he moved on the farm which has the credit of being the first to be cleared and settled in that town, and on which was born the first white child in Georgia. He was the son of John and Lucretia (Tuller) Meigs, and of their eight children he was the third. John Meigs was a farmer of St Albans, and on the farm Sanford lived until he reached his majority, when he started out in life to make his own way. He engaged in farming and mechanical pursuits, but finally purchased the historic farm in Georgia on which he lived until his death. In 1852 he married Harrier, daughter of Eleazer and Dorothy Jewett, of St. Albans. No children were born of this marriage, but Mr. and Mrs. Meigs adopted and reared two children. Sanford T. Meigs was a self-made man, his starting capital amounting to only $4, but he made his life a successful one. In politics he was a firm and unswerving Democrat

POST, Cephas A., is the owner of one of the best farms in Georgia The surname Post stands for industry and enterprise in the locality. Addison S. Post, the father of Cephas A., was during his life-time one of the foremost men of the town. He acquired a goodly property, and this upon his death, in April, 1888, descended to his son Cephas.  Addison was the son of Jesse, a pioneer in the town. Three children were born to Addison and Sarah (Seward) Post, viz.: Sophia, who died young; Ellen, who died at the age of twenty years; and Cephas A  Mrs. Post died April 5, 1890. Cephas A.  Post was born October 9, 1813, and has always lived at his father's home. He married, in 1868, Ellen R. Ashley, of Georgia, and they have two children, Emogene S. and Myra E. His farm comprises 140 acres. Although a Republican he has taken no active part in politics of the town, and in religious affiliations is a member of the Georgia Methodist Episcopal church.

POST, Henry B., was the son of Major and Lucina (Adell) Post, the children of whom were Nelson. Lucina, Curtis M., William D., Albert, Henry B., Oscar, and one other who died unnamed. Henry Bradley Post was born April 28^ 1822. He is now and has been since youth a farmer. His present home and farm occupy a commanding site on a hill on the road leading southeast from Georgia Center to the east part of the town, and comprises about seventy-five acres. In 1844 Mr. Post married Diana Dee, and they have had eight children, as follows; Frank, of California; Maria (Mrs. Oscar Martin), of Iowa; Miranda (deceased); Charlotte (Mrs. G. S. Conger); Dorman, who died young; Emily A., who married Benjamin Hill, of Georgia; and Bradley H. and Nellie, at home.  Mr. Post and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has taken no interest in political affairs beyond what every tax-paying citizen should feel, and has never held office.

POST, Lorenzo Arthur, the present town clerk and treasurer of Georgia, was born December 7, 1846, and was the eldest of three children born to Curtis M. and Mary (Nichols) Post The other children were Nathan N. Post, a practicing attorney of St.  Albans, and William C. Post, the last named being dead. Curtis M. Post, the father, was town clerk and treasurer of Georgia from 1855 until the time of his death in 1878, after which the mother was chosen to the same positions and filled them (Lorenzo A.  acting as assistant) until her death in 1886. At the next meeting our subject was regularly elected clerk and treasurer, and still holds the offices. On February 16, 1876, Lorenzo A. Post was married to Frances M., a daughter of Franklin Towne, of Milton.  Mrs. Post died September 26, 1887. Mr. Post is not wholly unknown in the political history of his town or of the county. In 1886 he was elected representative. For four years he was assistant postmaster at St. Albans. In religious matters he inclines to Universalism, although he was brought up in the Congregational church.

SMITH FAMILY, The.-The pioneer of the Smith family in Georgia was Josiah, a na-tive of New Hampshire, who came to the town at a very early day. He was born Feb-ruary 4,1783, and the wife whom he married was Sarah (Whittemore) Smith, who was born December 30, 1793. The children of this union were Richard W., born November 7, 1811; Harriet, born July 28, 1813; John C, born August 4, 1815; Aluna K., born December 15, 1817; Henry, born June 25, 1820; Edwin, born June 12, 1822; Sarah, born June 12,1824; Andrew J., born March 22, 1828; and Lucius D., born December 15, 1830. Lucius D. Smith is known as one of the leading farmers and citizens of Georgia. He is industrious, thrifty, and independent, and a man of strong convictions, and fearless and outspoken in expressing them. In politics he is a Republican.  In 1890 he was selectman, and so chosen because his townsmen wanted new and strong timber on the board. He has held the offices of road commissioner and overseer of the poor. Lucius D. Smith married, April 13, 1862, Freelove Green, and they have had a family of four children.

TORREY, Milton Hubbell, born in Georgia, March 2, 1810, was one of the four children of Nathaniel and Fannie (Stannard) Torrey who grew to maturity. These children were Milton H., Hannah Maria, Jane, and Sarah Ann.   Nathaniel M. Torrey built the substantial stone house in which Nathan D. Hayden, who married Mr. Torrey's grand-daughter, now resides. He was a prominent man in Georgia, and one who held the respect and esteem of all of his townsmen. For more than forty years both he and his estimable wife were connected with the Congregational church. Milton R. Torrey married Mary Ann (Bostwick) Shepard a daughter of Rev. Levi B. Shepard, of Georgia, a prominent family the surname of which is not now known in the town. Of this marriage four children have been born : Fannie P., who married Wyram R. Macomber, of Jericho ; Marian M., who died at the age of twenty-one; Beach M., who died in 1888; and Lottie Parmelia. who became the wife of Nathan D. Hayden and now lives in the old homestead.   Milton Hubbell Torrey died August 10, 1886.

WALLER FAMILY, The.-Joseph Waller and Parthenia, his wife, and their children, Walter, Chester, Asahel, Lovisa, Octavo, and Dennison, settled in Enosburgh in 1805. They came from Royalton, Vt., where Joseph is understood as having lived when that town was burned by the Indians in 1780. After the family came to Enosburgh one child, Louisa, was born. Dennison Waller went to Georgia in 1827, and there he married Love Hurlbut and had born to him children as follows: Myron; Hiram, who was killed in the late war; Albert, who died while in the army; Eliza, who married Wheaton Dunster, has a daughter, Love Athelia, and resides in Georgia; and Cordelia (Mrs. Patterson), now deceased. Myron Dennison Waller was born on the farm on which he now lives in 1828, but he has lived in the towns of St. Albans, Milton, and Fairfax. He finally settled on the homestead in 1886 or 1887. In 1849 he married Lucinda Campbell, of Swanton, by whom he had one child, Duane Hiram. In 1872 he married Georgianna Witters, and by her has had four children: Emily Love, Ira Hawley, Cordelia Georgianna, and Myron Dennison, jr.

WILCOX, Reuben E., a prominent farmer on the shore of Georgia Bay, was born in Georgia, February 13, 1833, the only child of Cyrus B. and Lucy L.(Evarts) Wilcox, both of whom died when Reuben was young. He was brought up in the family of Capt Reuben Evarts, from whom he was named. In 1856 Reuben E. Wilcox married Olive C, daughter of J. W. Barnes, of Fairfax, of which marriage two sons, Fred E. and Bert W, were born. Mr. Wilcox, although generally a busy farmer, has found time to devote to town affairs, and he has been honored by his townsmen with a number of offices, having been representative, selectman several times, and lister. His fine farm comprises nearly 170 acres.

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