In the quiet town of Cambridge, Vermont, an extraordinary family once stood—quite literally—head and shoulders above their neighbors. The Bogue family, led by patriarch Hiram C. Bogue, earned widespread recognition as “the tallest family in the world” during their time, leaving a unique mark on Vermont's local history.
Hiram C. Bogue: A Towering Presence
Born in 1861, Hiram C. Bogue was a remarkable man who stood seven feet tall—an extraordinary height for his era. A farmer by profession, Hiram lived a relatively quiet and retiring life despite his imposing stature. His presence in Pleasant Valley, however, was impossible to overlook.
Hiram married a woman who, at five feet and ten inches, was tall for her time but still significantly shorter than her husband. Together, they raised a family that would become legendary for their collective height.
A Family of Extraordinary Stature
Hiram and his wife had eleven children, all of whom inherited the tendency toward exceptional height:
- Max, the tallest of the sons, matched his father's impressive seven-foot stature
- Leland, Alvin, Howard, and Arthur each reached six feet, six inches
- Homer stood at six feet, three inches
- Roy measured six feet, four inches
- Ida grew to six feet, two inches
- Two daughters, who later became Mrs. Ed. Irish and Mrs. Henry McClelland, each stood six feet, three inches
This remarkable family trait continued into the next generation. By the time of Hiram's death in 1939, he had sixteen grandchildren, with at least one already reaching six feet, seven inches in height.
A Local Vermont Legend
The Bogue family's unusual heights made them subjects of local fascination and legend throughout Vermont. Their reputation extended beyond state lines, earning them recognition as possibly the tallest family in the world during their era.
The family's roots in Vermont can be traced back to at least the 18th century, with records showing their involvement in various communities throughout the state. The Bogues were not just known for their extraordinary stature but also for their significant presence in Vermont's history.
Hiram's Final Farewell
When Hiram passed away in 1939 at the age of 78, his funeral provided a powerful visual testament to his family's unique legacy. Six of his towering sons served as pallbearers—Max, Leland, Alvin, Howard, Arthur, and Homer—carrying their father to his final resting place in the Underhill Flats cemetery.
The service, held at the Bogue's Pleasant Valley home, brought together this remarkable family, with the remaining siblings sitting with their mother during the ceremony. All of Hiram's children remained in New England, maintaining their family's presence in the region.
A Record of Their Time
While the Bogue family was once considered the tallest in the world, height records have changed over time. The current Guinness World Record for the tallest family is held by the Trapp family from Minnesota, with an average height of 203.29 cm (6 ft 8.03 in).
Nevertheless, the Bogue family's place in Vermont history remains secure. In an era when such extreme height was far less common, the Bogues stood as a testament to human diversity and became an unforgettable part of Vermont's rich tapestry of local stories and legends.
Their legacy reminds us that Vermont's history is not just shaped by famous politicians, successful entrepreneurs, or renowned artists, but also by ordinary families with extraordinary characteristics who left their own distinctive mark on our state's heritage.
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Visit Hiram C. Bogue's memorial at the Underhill Flats cemetery or learn more about his life at FindAGrave.com.
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