Chittenden

LAVIGNE, Joseph W.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 240-241 
(portrait p 240)

Joseph W. LAVIGNE, of Winooski [Chittenden County, Vermont], was born 14 July 
1844 in the town of St. Damasse, district of St. Hyscinth, Province of 
Quebec, son of Henri and Francoise (BEAUSOLEIL) LAVIGNE. In 1848 the father 
with his family came to Williston [Chittenden County, Vermont], where they 
continued to live until 1852. He [Henri LAVIGNE] then moved to Essex 
[Chittenden County, Vermont], and remained two there two years. From this 
place he removed to Indiana and remained two years, coming back to Essex in 
1856, where they lived until 1864. In Essex, Joseph, as a boy and young man, 
attended the common schools and the classical institute, and received his 
education which he subsequently improved by reading and study at home. From 
the age of sixteen until he reached twenty-four, he assisted his father in 
the manufacture and sale of brick.

In 1872 he entered the employ of the J. & J. Rogers Iron Company of Ausable 
Forks [Essex County], New York, in the brick manufacturing business, where he 
continued about thirteen seasons. He then entered the wholesale grocery 
house of George W. KELLEY of Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont]. At the 
end of a year he established himself in a retail grocery store in Winooski, 
where he has carried on the business ever since, and in which he built up an 
extensive and lucrative trade. In this business, as well as in his previous 
career, he has earned the reputation of being an honest and upright man. He 
has been elected to various town and village offices; was a member of the 
board of school commissioners for eight years; selectman, grand juror; 
trustee of the village; and town representative in 1892.

Democrat; has been a hard worker and influential member in the local councils 
of his party. Member of the Roman Catholic church. Member of St. Jean 
Baptiste Benevolent Society. On 21 April 1865 he [Joseph W. LAVIGNE] was 
married to [Miss] Adeline DESAUTELS, daughter of Francis and Julia (LECLAIRE) 
DESAUTELS, of St. Jean Baptiste, Province of Quebec. By her he had three 
children: (1) Helen, Mrs. Capt. M. H. DANIELS, of Vergennes [Addison 
County, Vermont]; (2) J. Henry; and (3) Arthur. His wife [Adeline 
(DESAUTELS) LAVIGNE] died 09 October 1870. Subsequently he [Joseph W. 
LAVIGNE] married Mary A. CHAGNON, daughter of John and Celeste (TRUDEAU) 
CHAGNON, by whom he had four children: (1) Lillie A., (2) Luke L., (3) 
Lizzie C., and (4) George W.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly