USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 61
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CHARLES TAYLOR HALL.
ager of the concern. The company also engage in the manufacture of floor boards and bobbins, and have been so successful in their operations that they are about to largely increase their plant, and have recently pur- chased one thousand acres of spruce timber land, thus providing a sufficiency of material for the next twenty years.
Though taking a lively interest in politics as a member of the Republican party, Mr. Hall has never sought or held public office, and of secret societies he is a member of the Masonic fraternity only.
He was married to Etta L., daughter of H. P. and Ann (Fogg) Foss, of Franklin, March, 1886, by whom he has had one daughter.
HALL, EMERSON, of St. Johnsbury, son of John and Jane (Graham) Hall, was born in Cabot, Jan. 9, 1816.
HALL.
He obtained his education in the schools of Cabot and Peacham Academy, for some time labored on his father's farm, then came to St. Johnsbury, where for six years he was employed in the hotel of that place. In 1846 he became engaged in general trade and continued in this occupation for twenty- eight years. He has been for a long time one of the substantial business men of the town and by his personal integrity and in- dustrious energy has won an enviable posi- tion in the community.
He has discharged the duties of deputy and high sheriff at a time when the insuffi- ciency of the police force made these duties more arduous than at the present time. He received the appointment of postmaster under President Lincoln, but resigned be- fore the expiration of his term to represent St. Johnsbury in the state Legislature in 1868-'69. In this body he served on the committee on banks.
Mr. Hall wedded, June 19, 1850, Mary S., daughter of Isaac W. and (Blount) Stanton of Danville. Three children have been born to them : Mattie J., Carrie May, and Eliza. The last named died in early childhood. In 1859 he was elected trustee of the Passump- sic Savings Bank and for the last thirty years has been one of the executive officers of that institution, and for the last fifteen years its president. A staunch Republican since the formation of the party, he cast his first presi- dential ballot for Gen. William Henry Har- rison in 1840.
Mr. Hall is a Congregationalist in his re- ligious belief, attending the North Church of St. Johnsbury.
HALL, ISAAC N., late of Groton, son of Henry and Susan ( Burnham) Hall, was born in Rumney, N. H., June 3, 1808. He was of English descent and came from a long- lived family. His grandfather lived to eighty-six years and his great-grandfather died at ninety-three years, while his mater- nal great-grandmother, Lydia Bradley, at- tained the age of one hundred and four. An ancestress of the latter was taken captive by the Indians near Haverhill, Mass., in the early colonial times.
The parents of Mr. Hall were not in af- fluent circumstances, and his only educa- tional advantages were those afforded by the district schools in the time of his early youth. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to his uncle Moses Burnham, a noted carpenter and builder, with whom he served his time and upon his master's removal to Groton the young apprentice accompanied him and at the expiration of his term of service set- tled in that town and has remained there ever since. In 1826 he lost his father, and his mother immediately after her husband's
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death moved to Groton and made her home with her son, living to the age of eighty one.
Mr. Hall married Elizabeth, daughter of William Taisey of Groton, April 28, 1829. Nine children have been born to them, seven daughters and two sons. Of these five are living ; Judge T. B. Hall of Groton, Maria, ( Mrs. Stephen Vance of Albany, Vt.), Helen ( Mrs. George Willard of Waltham, Mass. ), Theresa ( Mrs. Alex. Cochran of Groton ), and Lydia ( Mrs. Whitney of San Fran-
ISAAC N. HALL.
cisco). The first Mrs. Hall died Nov. 11, 1873, and he contracted a second alliance with Mrs. Louisa A. (Webster) Hall of Ply- mouth, N. H.
In can be truly said of Judge Hall that he enjoyed the confidence of the people in a re- markable degree, as shown by his election to many responsible offices. He was justice of the peace and town clerk for more than a generation, and represented his town in the Legislature in 1835, 1836, 1840, and 1867. He was elected assistant judge of Caledonia county court in 1842, 1844, and 1845, and in 1848, 1860, and 1861 was senator for that county. Judge Hall was appointed a state's prison director in 1868 and 1869, and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1850 ; he was also made one of the directors of the bank at Newbury, at Wells River, and served as United States assistant assessor of the second district of the state of Vermont. He was one of the first projectors and build- ers of the Montpelier & Wells River R. R., and was one of its directors until the road
was put into the hands of the bondholders, and its president from 1873 10 1877. ' In a sketch of the early settlers of Groton it is said of him :
"His agency and usefulness in all matters of public interest will be discovered in all that relates to the growth and prosperity of the town for the last sixty years. There is no man who has exerted a greater influence for good or who has advanced the interests and morals of the town in a greater degree."
In early life he joined and was ever after an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a delegate to its general quadrennial confer- ence held at Cincinnati.
Judge Hall, while with Mrs. Hall at the residence of her daughter, died at South Chicago Nov. 21, 1893, and Nov. 25,11893, he was buried at Groton.
HALL,SAMUEL BAKER, of Bennington, son of Marshall Carter and Sophia B. (Dem- ing) Hall, was born in Bennington, Feb. 17, 1846.
His education was obtained in the Ben- nington public schools and seminary, and also at the Rock Point Episcopal Institute at Burlington, and Phillips Exeter Academy of Andover, Mass.
SAMUEL BAKER HALL.
When his school life was completed he commenced his business career as a clerk in a dry goods commisson house in New York City. In the fall of 1867 he received the :
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HAMILTON.
appointment of bookkeeper of the First National Bank at North Bennington, and in 1873 was promoted to the position of cashier of that bank, which office he still continues to fill. In 1890 he was elected treasurer of the Bennington & Rutland R. R. He is interested in real estate and also in the bank with which he is connected.
Politically Mr. Hall is a Republican but has never taken an active interest in politics as he has been compelled to give the princi- pal part of his time and attention to his business affairs, but he has served the village at different times in local offices and is at present chairman of the North Bennington school board.
He is a liberal supporter of the Congre- gational society at North Bennington and an . he was sent to Wilmington ; 1883 to West attendant of that church.
Mr. Hall was united in marriage Oct. 3, 1870, to Sarah, daughter of George W. and Jane (Hinsdill) Robinson of Bennington. Their children are: Deming, Robinson, Francis H. (deceased), Samuel Carter, and Charles Lincoln.
HAMILTON, JOSEPH, of St. Johnsbury, son of James and Mary (Hammond) Ham- ilton, was born in North Gore, P. Q., May 12, 1839.
JOSEPH HAMILTON.
His early education was received at La Chute Academy in Canada, and he has since taken the course of study prescribed by the Methodist Episcopal Church for all
HAMILTON.
who enter her conferences. He came to Vermont in 1865 and joined the Vermont Conference on trial in April, 1866. His first appointment was Kirby where he re- mained two years. His second appoint- ment was Marshfield, and in April, 1868, he was ordained deacon by Bishop Ames and admitted into the conference in full con- nection. In 1870 he was ordained elder by Bishop Simpson. In 1869 he was appointed to West Berlin and Gouldsville. In 1870 to Waitsfield ; during his stay here a new church was built costing $6,000. In 1871 he was sent to Marshfield ; 1872 Plainfield ; 1875 Groton ; 1877 he was sent to Roches- ter ; during his three years here he took eighty-five members into the church; 1880
Fairlee ; 1886 to Woodstock, where he raised $3,200 to repair the church, making it one of the most convenient churches in the con- ference ; in 1888 he was appointed to White River Junction and while here he organized a Methodist church at Olcott and raised $2,000 and succeeded in building a new church worth $3,000. He served the church . at Northfield from 1890 to 1892 at which time he was appointed presiding elder of the St. Johnsbury district and through his efforts a district parsonage was purchased in the village of St. Johnsbury. During his minis- try he has baptized three hundred and forty- eight persons and attended three hundred funerals.
In political matters he is a Prohibitionist and has voted with that party.
April 27, 1879, he married Charlotte E., daughter of Dr. J. Q. A. and Lavina A. (Newton) Packer of Marshfield. Of this union six children have been born : four sons and two daughters.
HAMILTON, MERRILL THOMAS, of Newport, son of Hannibal and Julia E. (Thompson) Hamilton, was born in Berk- shire, Franklin county, April 7, 1849.
Obtaining his education in the public schools of Berkshire, Richford Academy and the Northampton Institute at Fairfax, in 1869 he entered the dental office of Gilman & Sheerar at St. Albans, where for three years he studied dentistry. In 1871 he removed to Newport where he has been established ever since. Dr. Hamilton is unusually pro- ficient in his profession in which he takes the highest rank and has enjoyed a very ex- tensive practice, not only in the state, but also in Canada. In 1884 he became inter- ested in the manufacture of brick in Derby and also at Barton Landing, but three years subsequently sold out his interest in the business.
He was united in marriage August 22, 1873, to Clara F., daughter of Warren and Emily
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HAMMOND.
( Rowell) Faller of Newport, whom he had the misfortune to lose after three years of wedded lite. One son was born to them, Hany Fuller. Dr. Hamilton contracted a second alliance May 24, 1878, with Etta h, daughter of Eleazer and Mary A. (Culver) Porter of Troy. Of this marriage there have been issue : Lavina Fuller, and Samnel Wor cester Fuller.
Dr. Hamilton is an expert horseman and takes much interest in equine matters. Ile possesses two large farms in North Troy, making a specialty of dairy products. Demo- Mr. Hammond is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Masonic Union Lodge No. 16, at Troy, member of Cleveland Chapter No. 20, and Malta Commandery No. 10, of Newport. ple at Montpelier. He was District Deputy Grand Master of the tenth Masonic district in 1890 and 1891. cratic in his political views, he has never taken any active part in public affairs, but conscientionsly devoted his whole time to his profession. For many years he has been the treasurer of St. Mark's Episcopal Church . He also affiliates with the Mount Sinai Tem- in Newport, and he has taken the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry in Memphremagog Lodge of that place.
HAMMOND, FRED BURTON, of Troy, son of Oscar and Martha (Cole) Hammond, was born in Derby, Oct. 12, 1859.
FRED BURTON HAMMOND.
His education was obtained in the pub- lic schools of Derby and at Newport Acad- emy.
He served his mercantile clerkship in the Boston clothing store at North Troy, be- came manager of the same store in 1881 and in 1884 he bought a half interest in the general store of Hiram K. Stewart of Troy. The firm dissolved partnership in 1885 ; Mr. Hammond then erected the building he now occupies.
HANRAHAN.
Notwithstanding his political faith, he be- ing a very strong Democrat of the conserva- tive class, he has been elected clerk and treasurer of the town, also one of the trustees of the public money. He was appointed postmaster under the Cleveland administra- tion in 1885, and on the re- election of Mr. ('leveland he was reappointed postmaster, which position he is now filling. Although Troy is a strong Republican town he was elected town representative, serving on the committee on claims.
May 1, 1884, he married Frances M., daughter of Robert B. Chandler of North Troy, and has two daughters : Adoline Moore, and Rachel Frances.
HANRAHAN, JOHN DAVID, of Rut- land, son of James and Ellen (O'Connor) Hanrahan, was born in Rathkeale, county Limerick, Ireland, Jan. 18, 1844.
He attended the National schools in the place of his nativity till his father removed with his family to New York City. Here he became a pupil of the free academy, then entered the New York Medical University, where he remained till 1861, when at the breaking out of the rebellion he entered the U. S. Navy as surgeon. During 1861-'62-'63 he served in the Potomac flotilla, and on the 23d of August, 1863, the vessel on which he was serving was captured and all on board made prisoners. After being in Richmond six weeks he was paroled and transferred to Washington. While a paroled prisoner in Washington he attended a course of medical lectures at the medical department of the Georgetown University. In the early spring of 1864 was exchanged and ordered to duty in the North Atlantic squadron, where he served under Admirals Lee and Porter until discharged in July, 1865. Two years subse- quently he received his diploma from the medical department of the New York Uni- versity, practiced in New York until the spring of 1869, when he removed to Rut- land, where he has since resided and built up an extensive general practice.
Dr. Hanrahan has been connected with various medical societies, in which he has taken an active interest and held many posi- tions of trust and responsibility. Outside of his professional duties, he has been largely influential in both town and state affairs, has been trustee of the village of Rutland, as
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HAMMOND.
HARMAN.
well as the president of the board, was ap pointed president of the Rutland county pension board in 1885, the duties of which he so acceptably discharged that, notwith standing his loyal adherence to the Demo- cratie party, President Harrison continued him in office until his resignation to accept the position of postmaster of the city of Rutland, which appointment he received from President Cleveland in 1893. A strong Irish Nationalist in his views, Dr. Hanrahan has been a potential factor in the Rutland Land League and a delegate to all the na tional conventions. He has served as chair- man of the Rutland county Democratic committee and has frequently been a mem- of the state committee ; has been a delegate to the Democratic national conventions of 1884 and '88 and chairman of the delegation of :892. Has always been a warm sup- porter of President Cleveland. Dr. Hanra- han is also prominent in G. A. R. circles. He is a member of the local post and has served on the staff of Commanders-in-chief Veazey, Palmer and Weissert, and has been medical director of the Department of Ver- mont.
In his religious creed he is a Roman Catholic, worshiping with the congregation of St. Peter's in Rutland.
Dr. Hanrahan was united in marriage Feb. 12, 1870, to Mary, daughter of Bernard and Elizabeth (Halpin) Riley of Wallingford, who died April, 1882. October 31, 1883, he was again married to Frances, daughter of John C. and Mary (Hughes) Keenan of Rutland. Five children have resulted from their union : May, Anna, Hugh, Frances, and John.
HAMMOND, LOWELL G., of Ludlow, son of Jedediah and Clara (Bent) Hammond, was born Feb. 17, 1824, in Mt. Holly.
A farm-bred boy, he received his education in the common schools of Mt. Holly, and at twenty-two years of age located at Ludlow, where he engaged in the grocery trade. Then he formed the partnership of Mason & Ham- mond, dealing in dry goods and groceries during four years. Since 1854, he has con- ducted an extensive business in general mer- chandise. In 1871, meeting with a severe disaster from the loss by fire of his large store and a partial loss of his stock, he immediately constructed a much larger and finer block, containing one of the finest halls in the coun- ty, where he has carried on his business ever since.
He has always voted the Republican ticket and repeatedly held positions of trust in vil- lage and town ; being chosen representative in 1886. He was married in August, 1847, to Maryette, daughter of Dr. Lowell W. and Sally (Pettee) Gurnsey, of Shewsbury. Their
children are : Leonora M., Norris G., and Ad die W. For almost forty years Mr. Ham- mond has been a most important factor in the business life of Ludlow, and an active pioneer in new features of trade. He has taken a lively interest in public improvement and has been a generous donor to educational and religious enterprises. He is vice president of the trustees of the Black River Academy, of Landlow.
LOWELL G. HAMMOND.
He is a Universalist in his religious prefer- ences ; for more than forty years has belonged to the order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Altamont Lodge, of Ludlow.
HARMAN, GEORGE WASHINGTON, of Bennington, son of Nathaniel and Alice (Hascall) Harman, was born in Pawlet, May 7, 1812.
He acquired the rudiments of his educa- tion in the common schools, this being sup- plemented by six terms at the academy, and private instruction. He read law with his father, and was admitted to the bar at Rut- land in September, 1833. He practiced his profession at Pawlet until 1848, when he re- moved to Bennington, and for twenty years was cashier of a bank in that village. In 1859 he resumed the practice of law, and is looked upon as one of the sages of the pro- fession. In 1843 he represented Pawlet in the Constitutional Convention, and was one of the county commissioners in 1846-'47.
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HARRIS.
HARDIE.
Mr. Harman has held most of the local offices in Bennington, including that of mun- icipal judge, but he has never had any polit- ical aspirations. He has been from the very first one of the strongest advocates and sup- porters of the bar association, and at various times has been importuned to accept its presidency, but has always firmly declined.
Mr. Harman is the author of several arti- cles which have met with high approval from those interested in the subjects to which he has devoted his literary efforts. Among these may be mentioned a sketch of the life of John Burnham, the first lawyer of Ver- mont, which was published in the records of the Vermont Bar Association, a historical paper on Battenkill and Ondawa, another on Allen at Ticonderoga, proving conclusively that Benedict Arnold was present when that post was surrendered ; several papers relating to the battle of Bennington, and various others.
GEORGE WASHINGTON HARMAN.
Judge Harman's whole life has been pre- eminently marked by principles of order, industry and perseverance, three character- istics which always contribute in a great measure to make an honorable and success- ful life.
HARDIE, ROBERT GORDON, of Brat- tleboro, son of Robert Gordon and Frances (Hyde) Hardie, was born in Brattleboro, March 29, 1854.
He received his early education at the public schools of Brattleboro and Rutland.
In 1874 he began his studies as an artist at the Academy of Design and Art Students' League in New York, and in 1878 went to Paris, France, to continue same at the Gov- ernment Ecole-des-Beaux-Arts under the in- struction of MM. J. L. Gerome and Alex-
ROBERT GORDON HARDIE.
andre Cabanel. Exhibited in the Salon in the years 1879-'80-'81-'82. Returning to America in 1883.
The first work which brought Mr. Hardie prominently before the public was the por- trait of Hon. David Dudley Field, painted in 1888 and now in the Capitol at Albany, N. Y.
In the same year he married Catharine, second daughter of Hon. S. M. Cullom, U. S. senator from Illinois.
HARRIS, BROUGHTON DAVIS, of Brat- tleboro, son of Wilder and Harriet ( Davis) Harris, was born in Chesterfield, N. H., August 16, 1822.
Mr. Harris began his preparation for col- lege in the Chesterfield Academy, and later attended Kimball Union Academy at Meri- den, N. H. Matriculating at Dartmouth in 1841, he was graduated with high honors in the class of 1845, being a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Delta Phi societies.
After graduating Mr. Harris began the study of law under Judge Asa Keyes, and continued it later in the office of Edward Kirkland, Esq., of Brattleboro. While thus engaged he also entered the ranks of journal- ism, and for a year edited the Vermont
BAKRI.
Phoenix. In August, 1847, together with William B. Hale, long president of the First National Bank of Northampton, Mass., he founded the Eagle, a senti weekly news paper devoted to the interests of the whigs. On his departure for ( tah in the spring of 1851 the paper was given over to the con trol of others. On his return in the fall of 1852 Mr. Harris again became editor and proprietor of the Eagle, which he changed into a weekly paper. During those days of great excitement in the political situation of the country the Eagle maintained the po sition of a successful and popular contem- porary of the ablest journals ever published in the state, and Mr. Harris won for himself the distinction of being classed with the most skillful and forcible writers then in the ranks of journalism. His connection with the paper ceased by sale in 1856.
BROUGHTON DAVIS HARRIS.
In the fall of 1850 his life-long friends, Senators Collamer and Foot, without his knowledge, procured for Mr. Harris the ap- pointment of first secretary of the new terri- tory of Utah from President Fillmore. In his administration of this office many diffi- culties and obstacles were interposed by the Mormons. The first Governor of Utah was Brigham Young, and the ideas and opinions of the two officials were so radically antago- nistic that there was soon friction and later an open rupture between the Governor and the secretary. So defiantly did the Governor and his pliant Legislature disregard the pro- visions of the enabling act of Congress that
HARRIS.
Secretary Harris, after earnestly expostulat- ing, finally positively refused to disburse the money committed to his care by the United States government for the benefit of the ter- ritory. He wrote an able letter assigning excellent reasons for this refusal, and as a result the Mormon Legislature waxed wroth and passed a series of resolutions requiring him forthwith to deliver over the money to the Mormon United States marshal of Utah on pain of instant arrest and imprisonment. The secretary, firmly adhering to his original conviction of duty and loyalty to his govern- ment, peremptorily refused to comply with this demand, and, amid threats of violence and assassination, returned to Washington and restored every dollar of the coveted ap- propriations to the United States treasury.
The administration heartily endorsed his action, and shortly afterward tendered him the office of secretary and acting Governor of the territory of New Mexico, an offer which he promptly declined.
In 1847 Mr. Harris was register of pro- bate in Windham county. In 1860 he was a member of the state Senate and served on the committee on railroads. Being re-elected in 1861, he was assigned to the important post of chairman of the committee on mili- tary affairs at the breaking out of the rebel- lion, when nearly all legislation pertained to military matters. In the celebrated Peace Congress, which assembled in Washington on the invitation of Virginia, just before the war, Mr. Harris was a delegate appointed by Gov. Erastus Fairbanks, together with Ex- Gov. Hiland Hall, Lieut .- Gov. Levi Under- wood, Gen. H. H. Baxter, and Hon. L. E. Chittenden.
As senior member of the well-known firm of Harris Brothers & Co., he was engaged for many years very extensively and success- fully in the construction of railroads, being connected with some of the most important lines in the country.
Although never an office seeker, Mr. Har- ris's name has often been mentioned in con- nection with congressional service, and many prominent men and leading newspapers have at times urged him to become a candidate for the chief magistracy of the state. Mr. Harris is one of the corporate members of the Brattleboro Savings Bank and for many years has been, and now is, president of that solid and prosperous institution.
Mr. Harris was married on the 24th of March, 1851, to Sarah Buell, daughter of Ed- win M. Hollister of New York City (now deceased). Their wedding journey was to Utah, there being then no white settlement between the Missouri River and Great Salt Lake. They have but one child, who is now the wife of John Seymour Wood, lawyer and author, of New York City.
HARRIS
HARRIS, CHARLES A., of East Burke, son of Amasa and Ruth ('Tarbox) Harris, was born in Lyndon, Sept. 2, 1820.
His educational advantages were limited to the public schools of Lyndon, supple- mented by a course of study at the academy of that village.
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