Windham

OSGOOD, Charles Wesley

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 290

Charles Wesley OSGOOD, of Bellows Falls [Windham County, Vermont], was born 
14 November 1841 in North Andover [Essex County], Massachusetts, son of Peter 
and Rebecca OSGOOD. His early education was received at the common schools 
of Andover and supplemented by a short course of study at Phillips Academy. 
At the age of fifteen he ended his brief schooling and commenced to learn the 
trade of a machinist. Having mastered this, after various vicissitudes Mr. 
OSGOOD came to Bellows Falls in 1871 and entered into partnership with 
William G. BARKER, under the firm name of Osgood & Barker, to do a general 
trade. When they started they employed but one man, but the firm was 
successful and business steadily increased. Ten years after the formation of 
the concern Mr. BARKER died, and since then Mr. OSGOOD has owned and operated 
the plant and he is now chiefly occupied in the manufacture of paper-making 
machinery. In 1883 his shops were burned, but in 1891 he purchased the 
estate known as the Island House property and erected a spacious building 
thereon, in which now nearly a hundred men are employed. Though a strong 
Republican, Mr. OSGOOD has neither cared for nor sought office. At North 
Andover [Essex County], Massachusetts, he [Charles Wesley OSGOOD] married 
Fannie M., daughter of B. Gardner SEARLE. Three children have been issue: 
Edward Gardner, Charles Herbert, and Fannie Rebecca.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly