Caledonia

BICKFORD, George H.

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 119

George H. BICKFORD, granite manufacturer, Hardwick [Caledonia County, 
Vermont], was born 10 October 1868 at Barton [Orleans County, Vermont], son 
of Rev. George H. and Abbie B. (GIFFIN) BICKFORD. Educated in the public 
schools of Keene [Cheshire County], New Hampshire; Vermont Methodist 
Seminary, Montpelier, and a graduate of Wesleyan University, Middletown 
[Middlesex County], Connecticut, 1891. Taught school one year in Haverford 
College, Haverford [Montgomery County], Pennsylvania; employed by Ginn & 
Company, school textbook publishers, as salesman in New York state; later 
with Holden, Leonard & Company, woolen manufacturers, Bennington. [Note that 
George H. BICKFORD married a woman named Alice A. HOLDEN.]

In 1896 he [George H. BICKFORD] became treasurer and general manager Woodbury 
Granite Company, the largest producers and manufacturers of granite for 
building purposes in the world, with their main quarries at Woodbury 
[Washington County, Vermont], their cutting plants at Hardwick [Caledonia 
County], with a second plant at Bethel [Windsor County], which is the second 
largest plant in the world; is now the only active member of the company; is 
managing director and treasurer Hardwick & Woodbury Railroad; director 
Gaysville [Windsor County] Electric Light and Power Company; director Holden 
& Leonard Company, Bennington. Republican. Methodist. In 1904 he [George 
H. BICKFORD] married Alice A. HOLDEN of Bennington [Chittenden County, 
Vermont]; they have three children [four children, three natural and one 
adopted]: (1) George F.; (2) Beatrice, deceased; and (3) Holden J.; and 
(4) an adopted daughter, Barbara.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly