Addison

LANDON, Fred

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 523-524

Fred LANDON, Bristol [Addison County, Vermont], was born 16 May 1834 in South 
Hero [Grand Isle County, Vermont], a son of Abner B. and Minerva LANDON. 
Thaddeus LANDON, his [Fred LANDON's] grandfather, was born in Litchfield 
[Litchfield County], Connecticut, and removed to South Hero, Vermont, where 
he engaged in farming, and met with such success that he decided to spend the 
rest of his life there. He [Thaddeus LANDON] was united in marriage to Miss 
Anna BALDWIN, and eight children were born of this union, all of whom are now 
deceased with the exception of John [uncle of Fred LANDON], who resides in 
the town of South Hero, Vermont. Mr. [Thaddeus] LANDON died at the age of 
seventy-eight, and his wife [Anna (BALDWIN) LANDON] passed away in her 
seventy-sixth year.

Abner B. LANDON, son of Thaddeus LANDON [and father of Fred LANDON], was born 
16 June 1802 in South Hero [Grand Isle County, Vermont], and received his 
education in the district schools of the town. Having been reared upon a 
farm, he understood thoroughly every detail connected with farm work, and so 
chose that occupation for his life work. In politics he was formerly a Whig, 
but later joined the ranks of the Republican party [organized in 1854]. He 
took an active interest in all the affairs of the town, and served as 
selectman and lister for many years, besides being chosen to represent the 
town in the state legislature. On 23 September 1824 he [Abner B. LANDON] was 
joined in marriage to Miss Minerva P. PHELPS, who was born 18 June 1801 in 
South Hero [Grand Isle County, Vermont], daughter of Solomon PHELPS, a farmer 
of that town. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. [Abner B.] LANDON, 
six of whom are still living: (1) Franklin, now a resident of Colchester 
[Chittenden County], Vermont; (2) Ruth, wife of Henry L. WOOD, of Georgia 
[Georgia in Franklin County, Vermont? state of Georgia?]; (3) Fred, further 
mentioned below; (4) Charles C., who resides on the old homestead [South 
Hero, Grand Isle County, Vermont]; (5) Jed, a resident of Atkinson [Holt 
County], Nebraska; and (6) William, who resides in Georgia [Franklin 
County], Vermont. The mother of these children [Minerva P. (PHELPS) LANDON] 
died at the age of eighty. Mr. [Abner B.] LANDON passed away 10 September 
1861, aged fifty-nine.

Fred LANDON, second son of Abner B. and Minerva LANDON, acquired his 
education in the district schools of South Hero, Vermont. His boyhood and 
young manhood days were spent upon the farm in assisting his father in the 
management of it, and even after the latter's death, he still continued his 
work on the farm until 1866, when he [Fred LANDON] removed to Clarksville 
[Mecklenburg County], Virginia, where he was engaged for three years in the 
buying and selling of real estate. At the expiration of this time he located 
in Bristol [Addison County, Vermont], where he was interested in the 
photograph business for four years. He was then appointed postmaster of that 
town, and so faithfully did he perform the duties of the office that he was 
retained in that position for nine years under two appointments. He then 
began to lay the foundation for his present extensive business of dealer in 
horses, carriages, sleighs, and harness; he also, in addition to this, 
conducts a large trade in lumber, brick and slate. His business prospered 
from the beginning, until now he has the largest trade in that section of the 
country, and has handled more horses that any other man. He has built a 
commodious residence, also all the buildings where he conducts his business. 
He keeps about fifteen horses constantly on hand for livery service.

Republican; has been elected to fill various offices; represented the town in 
the state legislature for 1898; has served as a delegate in the state and 
county conventions. Member of Libanus Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons, of 
Bristol. His family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
of Bristol. In 1859 Mr. [Fred] LANDON was united in marriage to Miss Melissa 
GARDINER, who was born in Stockport [Delaware County], New York, daughter of 
the Rev. Simeon S. GARDINER, who preached the gospel for many years in both 
New York and Vermont; was well and favorably known in Vermont. His wife [the 
wife of Simeon S. GARDINER] was Miss Margaret Caroline VANDUSEN, and two 
children were born to them: (1) Melissa, now the wife of Fred LANDON, and 
(2) Henry, who resides in Bristol [Addison County], Vermont].

Mr. and Mrs. [Fred] LANDON have three children living, having lost two by 
death: (1) Mattie, the eldest, resides in Monkton [Addison County, 
Vermont]; (2) Ellsworth conducts a tailoring business in Chicago [Cook 
County], Illinois; (3) Lulu C., the third [child], died 23 April 1902 while 
the wife of Charles F. ROCKWOOD, of Burlington [Chittenden County], Vermont; 
(4) Gardiner, the fourth [child], died at the age of thirteen years; and (5) 
Henry is associated with his father in business.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly