Caledonia

INGRAHAM, William H.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, part III, 
p 95

William H. INGRAHAM, of Watertown [Middlesex County], Massachusetts, was born 
in 1818 in Peacham [Caledonia County, Vermont], the son of Paul and Thankful 
(SEARS) INGRAHAM. His father came from New Bedford [Bristol County], 
Massachusetts, where the INGRAHAMs are well known settlers. He received his 
education at the Caledonia County grammar school, where he was fitted for 
college. Instead of continuing a collegiate course he went to Framington, 
Massachusetts, to work for his older brother who owned a store. 
Here he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. Six months later, in 
company with his second brother, he bought out the store, and they carried on 
the business for several years. Later they branched out in the manufacture 
of shoes, and at one time employed fifty men. The firm prospered until the 
well remembered financial difficulties in 1848, when with numerous other 
small houses, they were crippled and obliged to sell out. Mr. INGRAHAM then 
went to Watertown, where he has since lived, and was engaged in various 
pursuits until 1879, when he opened an insurance office in Watertown, which 
he still conducts. 

Mr. INGRAHAM is a highly respected citizen of Watertown, and as such has been 
honored by nearly every office in the gift of the people. In 1848-1852 and 
1880-1893, he served as one of the assessors; 1874, 1875, and 1879, as 
selectman; town clerk 1848-1862 and 1880-1890; was representative from his 
town for two terms in the General Assembly, 1879 and 1880; justice of the 
peace for a quarter of a century; and a trustee of the Watertown Savings 
Bank, being at the present time a member of its board of investment. Member 
of the Watertown Unitarian Club connected with the First Parish Church, and 
was its treasurer in 1881, and presently is a trustee of the ministerial 
fund; member of Watertown Historical Society; prominent member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows for forty years. A recent article in the 
"Boston Herald" says of him: "He is kind and generous and never fails to act 
when charity so demands. He is one of the most respected and honored men in 
the vicinity." In 1843 [17 January 1843] at Wayland [Middlesex County], 
Massachusetts he [William H. INGRAHAM] was married to Caroline C., of 
Wayland, Massachusetts, daughter of Ephraim and Caroline (HUBBARD) BRIGHAM. 
Their children are: Ralph Waldo, Francis, and Alice Choate.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly