Windsor
BILLINGS, Franklin Swift

Encyclopedia of Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical 
Sketches of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other 
States. Burlington, Ullery, 1912, p 120

Franklin Swift BILLINGS, Woodstock [Windsor County, Vermont], was born 11 May 
1862 at New Bedford [Bristol County], Massachusetts, son of Franklin Noble 
and Nancy (SWIFT) BILLINGS. Educated by private instruction, at Adams 
Academy, Quincy [Norfolk County], Massachusetts, and Harvard College, class 
of 1885. After leaving college spent part of a year on a sheep ranch in 
Kansas; later was engaged in the export and import trade in New York City for 
about seventeen years; in 1903 came to Woodstock; is director of Woodstock 
Railway Company, Woodstock Hotel Company, Woodstock Aqueduct Company, 
Woodstock Electric Company, and several other corporations; president of 
Woodstock Ice Supply Company; and treasurer of the Empire Building Company 
and Vermont Investment Company.

In 1892 he [Franklin Swift BILLINGS] married [Miss?] Bessie Hewitt VAIL of 
New York; they had three children: Elizabeth Swift; Franklin Noble, 
deceased; and Nancy. Mr. BILLINGS is a Republican; represented Woodstock in 
the Legislature 1910; chief of staff with rank of colonel to Gov. C. J. BELL 
1904-1906; chairman of Woodstock village meetings for five years. 
Episcopalian. Member of the Grange; director Lakota Club; secretary and 
director of Lake Mitchell Trout Club; and member of Boone & Crockett Club.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly