Lamoille

MACOY, Byron Grafton

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 252-253 
(portrait p 253)

Byron Grafton MACOY, of Cambridge [Vermont], was born 08 January 1844 in 
Cambridge [Lamoille County, Vermont], son of Daniel and Laura (DOWNER) MACOY. 
Daniel MACOY was a long-time resident of the town, and when a boy of twelve 
years paddled the Vermont Volunteers bound for the seat of war at Plattsburg 
[Clinton County, New York], across the river at Jeffersonville [Lamoille 
County] in a log canoe. Byron was one of a family of seven children, and was 
educated in the public and private schools of Cambridge. In 1858 he went to 
live with his brother, H. N. MACOY, who was a lumber merchant in Cambridge 
and built the first steam and circular saw mill in Lamoille County. During 
the six years that he remained with his brother, he turned his natural 
mechanical dexterity to good account, doing all kinds of work that required 
this species of skill. He then rented the mill for a year of his brother, 
who meantime had gone to Ottumwa [Wapello County], Iowa. Byron soon joined 
him there, but a year's experience removed all desire to remain in the West, 
and he returned to Cambridge in 1866.

Byron G. MACOY, with his brother, W. D. MACOY, and two others, built the 
large steam saw mill now established there. Ill health soon compelled him to 
relinquish the business, and during the last twenty years he has been engaged 
in the occupation of a furniture dealer and undertaker. Republican; was 
elected to the Legislature in 1890; served on the committee on manufactures. 
As one of the committee for the construction of the Congregational church he 
was largely instrumental in securing the services of his brother, H. N. 
MACOY, as architect . Byron G. MACOY has received all the honors the local 
Masonic order could confer upon him; is a member of Warner Lodge No. 50, Free 
& Accepted Masons, of Cambridge, and has filled all the chairs of that 
organization. By his integrity of purpose and interest in the general 
welfare, Mr. MACOY enjoys in a large measure the esteem and confidence of 
his townsmen.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly