Orange

BIXBY, Hira L.

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, p 33

Hira L. BIXBY, of Chelsea, was born 13 September 1833 in Chelsea [Orange 
County, Vermont], son of Ichabod and Susanna (LEWIS) BIXBY. Educated in the 
common schools and at the academy at Chelsea, he remained upon his father's 
farm until he was thirty-one years of age, when after studying the art of 
photography he pursued that occupation in Burlington [Chittenden County, 
Vermont] for eight years and then returned to his native place, occupying 
himself chiefly with farming and photography.

In 1881 he originated a plan for signaling the weather forecasts by means of 
steam whistles, which was received with favor by the weather bureau, and 
after the latter was transferred from the war to the agricultural department, 
it was adopted and is now in successful operation. Republican; has held most 
of the town offices and is esteemed a prudent and public-spirited citizen; 
represented Chelsea in the Legislature of 1886; introduced a proposal for the 
first secret ballot system ever brought before that body; though it failed 
its principles were to a great extent embodied in the law of 1890.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly