Addison

McGEE, Charles L.

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 483-484

Charles L. McGEE, a leading manufacturer and prominent man of affairs in 
Bristol [Addison County], Vermont, belongs to a family which for more than 
half a century has been represented in this town. Joseph McGEE, the father 
of Charles L. McGEE, was born 15 March 1828 in St. Andrew, Province of 
Quebec, Canada, a son of Frank and Priscilla (YOUNG) McGEE. The parents were 
natives of Canada, of French descent. When nineteen years old, Joseph McGEE 
came with his parents to Middlebury [Addison County], Vermont, and soon 
settled at Bristol, Vermont, where he is still living, having retired from 
business on account of his advanced age. He [Joseph McGEE] married Maria 
TART, born 01 November 1833 in Sheldon [Franklin County], Vermont, daughter 
of Ambrose TART, a very highly respected citizen of that place, a native of 
France, and his wife, Rhoda FREEMAN, also of French descent. Ambrose TART 
left his native land at the age of nineteen years and never again 
communicated with his relatives. Mr. and Mrs. McGEE [Joseph and Maria] have 
three sons, all of whom are living: (1) Charles, mentioned at length 
hereafter; (2) Edgar, residing in Gardner [Worcester County], Massachusetts; 
and (3) William, who is engaged in the marble business at Bristol [Vermont]. 
Mr. McGEE's wife [Maria (TART) McGEE] is still living, company for him 
[Joseph McGEE] in his old age.

Charles L. McGEE, son of Frank and Priscilla (YOUNG) McGEE, was born 13 March 
1851 in Bristol [Addison County], Vermont, where he received his education 
and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a time, but 
displaying at an early period the business ability which afterward 
characterized him in such marked degree, he undertook contracting, and as a 
result became engaged with the firm of Drake, Smith & Company, prominent 
manufacturers of the town. Mr. McGEE's connection with the firm began in 
1884; he speedily became foreman, in 1892 bought an interest in the firm, and 
is now general manager and part owner. Mr. McGEE's ability and enterprising 
spirit have been of great service in gradually extending and building up what 
is now the largest business of the kind in this section of the country. By 
temperament and previous experience he is admirably fitted to represent the 
practical element in the firm, and under his supervision the buildings have 
been remodeled and supplied with machinery according to the most improved 
methods. Mr. McGEE's position involves the employment and discharge of the 
large working force of twenty-five hands, a duty which he is peculiarly 
fitted to perform by reason of his great personal popularity. He is the only 
manufacturer in the town who has maintained to the present time his 
connection with the firm by whom he was originally employed.

In addition to his business as a manufacturer, Mr. McGEE carries on an 
industry which he has undertaken solely as a matter of personal preference and 
individual taste. He takes a great interest in the raising of bees, of which 
he has no fewer than one hundred and fifty colonies, being the largest 
apiarist in this region. By his efforts the business has attained 
considerable proportions, being so flourishing as to keep two men constantly 
employed under Mr. McGEE's direction. In politics Mr. McGEE is a Republican, 
but the onerous nature of his duties as a manufacturer and man of affairs has 
caused him to return a steady refusal to all offers of political positions. 
He is an attendant of the Baptist church. On 13 August 1870 Mr. [Charles L.] 
McGEE married Stella PECKHAM, born 06 May 1854 in Winchendon [Worcester 
County], Massachusetts, a daughter of Stephen PECKHAM, a farmer of Bristol, 
Vermont, who is still living here, and whose family consists of four 
children: (1) a son named Ernest; and three daughters: (2) Katy, who 
married, first, Elijah JOHNSON, and then second, Oliver BRABAN, both of St. 
Regis Falls [Franklin County], New York; (3) Stella, mentioned above; and 
(4) Carrie, who is the wife of H. C. BROWN, of Bristol, Vermont. The mother 
of these is Olive (HASSELTINE) PECKHAM. Mrs. McGEE attends the Baptist 
church with her husband, and is very active in the Sunday school. Mr. and 
Mrs. [Charles L.] McGEE have two daughters: Lena, the wife of Frederick 
DICKERMAN, cashier of the local bank; and Minnie, who married Richard S. 
SMITH, of Bristol [Vermont].

Submitted by Cathy Kubly