Windsor County

AMSDEN, Charles

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, Part II, pp 6-7 
(portrait p 6)

Charles AMSDEN, was born in West Windsor [Windsor County, Vermont] 06 May 
1832, son of America and Nancy (CHILD) AMSDEN. His grandfather, Abel AMSDEN, 
was a pioneer of the town of Reading [Windsor County, Vermont], a soldier 
during the Revolution, and a prominent man of his time. His mother, Nancy 
CHILD, was born 20 July 1790 in Westminster [Worcester County], 
Massachusetts, and lived one and one-half years after the celebration of her 
centennial, retaining her mental vigor to the last.

Charles AMSDEN was educated at the common schools and passed his early 
boyhood on his father's farm. At the age of seventeen, with a capital of 
$100, he went to what is now called Amsden and engaged in trade, opening the 
following year a lime kiln, which he still works, producing about 10,000 
barrels annually, and carries on an extensive business in general merchandise.

Mr. AMSDEN is a Republican in politics. He represented the town of 
Wethersfield in the Legislatures of 1870 and 1897, and was elected a senator 
for Windsor County in 1892. He has been town treasurer since 1876, and 
postmaster since 1875, except when holding state office. Beyond his own town 
his business ability has been and is still appreciated. During the years 
1886-1887 he was a director for the Rutland Railroad, and he is at the 
present time a director of the National Black River Bank of Proctorsville, 
and of the Howe Scale Company.

On 20 January 1850 Mr. [Charles] AMSDEN married Abbie E., daughter of Joseph 
and Mary Ann (CAREY) CRAIGUE. Of this union is one child, Mary Melvina, Mrs. 
Charles E. WOODRUFF, of Woodstock [Windsor County, Vermont]. His second 
marriage was with Miss Mary L. STOCKIN.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly