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De Witt Chittenden

De Whitt Chittenden, a prosperous farmer and Secretary of the Fayette Creamery Association, is a native of Putnam, Washington County, N.Y., his birth having occurred on the 17th of August, 1827. He was reared to manhood in the home of his uncle who resided in Orwell, VT., and his education was acquired in the public schools. He spent his boyhood days in work upon the farm and also worked at milling, both in grist and saw mills for his uncle. Having attained to mature years, he was married in St. Lawrence County, N.Y., October 15, 1856, to Miss Adelia P. Sheldon, daughter of Deacon John Sheldon, and a native of Hopkinton, N.Y., born March 24, 1835. By their union have been born three  children yet living, two sons and a daughter: Martha A., the eldest, born August 16, 1857, is the wife of A.A. Knight, Jr., and resides in Manchester, Iowa; Fred S., born August 5, 1862, married Dora Penhollow and resides in Fayette; Frank R., born July 18, 1864, wedded Annie Doughty and operates his father's farm in Smithfield Township. They also lost one child, May Emma, the youngest, who was born January 27, 1859, and died in October following.

In the spring of 1861 Mr. Chittenden, with his family, emigrated to Iowa and settled in Smithfield Township, Fayette County, where he was engaged in farming until the autumn of 1862, when he returned to Vermont. In the Green Mountain State he once more gave his attention to agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1867, when he again came to this county, which has since been his home. At that time he was in limited circumstances, and at first purchased but eighty acres of land. However, as a result of his thrift and industry, his financial resources were increased, and he added to his original purchase until he now owns a well-improved farm of two hundred and forty acres in Smithfield Township, which is being operated by his youngest son.  Mr. Chittenden continued to carry on his farm until the fall of 1888, when he removed to Fayette where he now makes his home.  In 1890 he was chosen Secretary of the Fayette Creamery Association and has since served in that position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the stockholders of the company.  In politics he is a Republican, and has held several local offices. He has served as Township Trustee, Clerk and Tax Collector, and as a member of the School Board.  he is a non-affiliated Mason and, with his wife, is a member of the Congregational Church. Below we append a short sketch of the business organization with which Mr. Chittenden is connected.

The Fayette Creamery Association. This important business enterprise was incorporated in May, 1889. Its first officers were: President, George Whiteley; Vice-president, Finley Smith; Secretary, J. W. Winston; and Treasurer, M.H. Fussell. The officers at this writing are: Aaron Brown, President; Finley Smith, Vice President; D.W. Chittenden, Secretary; and M. H. Fussell, Treasurer.  The creamery is located in Fayette and is one of the successful enterprises of the county. It is operated by a twelve-horse power engine and the machinery and apparatus us of the most modern and improved order. During the summer months about fifteen thousand pounds of milk are used daily, making an average of four pounds of milk to every one hundred pounds of milk, or four thousand three hundred and twenty pounds of butter made weekly.  During the fall months the milk supply becomes reduced nearly half, but the percentage of butter is increased to an average of five pounds to one hundred pounds of milk. At this writing the prices are from twenty-eight to thirty cents per pound or the highest market price paid.