Washington

BELDEN, Harry Willis

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 116

Harry Willis BELDEN, butter manufacturer, Waitsfield [Washington County, 
Vermont], was born 09 December 1872 at Pawlet [Rutland County, Vermont], son 
of Jerome A. and Emma G. (BOSTWICK) BELDEN. Educated in the graded school at 
Pawlet, and Troy Conference Academy at Poultney [Rutland County, Vermont].

When quite young started in the cheese business, and at the age of eighteen 
managed the Excelsior Cheese Factory at Danby one season; then was employed 
in the creamery business of the C. Brigham Company, Wallingford and Danby 
[both in Rutland County]; later went to Richmond [Chittenden County, Vermont] 
and managed creameries several years; in 1899 purchased the Mad River Valley 
creameries at Waitsfield and Warren [both in Washington County]; in 1902 the 
Cold Springs creamery at Moretown [Washington County]; and later the Mt. 
Mansfield creamery at Stowe [Lamoille County] and the Orleans County 
creameries in North Troy and Westfield; in 1905 the Cloverdale creamery, 
consisting of four plants situated in Cloverdale, Westford, and North 
Underhill [all in Chittenden County]. In some years the amount of butter 
made has been nearly two million pounds. 

In 1900 he [Harry Willis BELDEN] married [Miss?] Georgianna GORTON of Danby 
[Rutland County, Vermont]. Mr. BELDEN is a Republican. Attends the 
Congregational Church. Member of Mad River Lodge No. 77, Free & Accepted 
Masons; Waterbury Chapter No. 24, Royal Arch Masons; Montpelier Council No. 
4, Royal & Select Masons; Mt. Zion Commandery No. 9, Knights Templar; 
Gamaliel Washburn Lodge of Perfection; Mt. Calvary Council, P. of J. 
[probably a text typo for "P. of H." or Patrons of Husbandry, also known as 
the Grange]; Delta Chapter of Rose Croix; and Vermont Consistory, 32 degrees.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly