USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 63
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The cause of temperance had in him an ardent supporter, and firmly believing in the principles of Free Masonry he was a staunch adherent of the order, being advanced to the degree of Knight Templar.
CHARLES HENRY HEATH.
A Republican in politics, a liberal Christ- ian in his church relations, he attempted no disguise of his beliefs or disbeliefs, but de- clared them openly, forcibly and often.
HEATON, HOMER WALLACE, son of Dr. Gershom and Polly (Wallace) Heaton, was born in Berlin, August 25, 181I.
Having received his early education at the schools of his native town, he continued his studies at the St. Lawrence Academy, Pots- dam, N. Y., and the Washington county grammar school at Montpelier.
He commenced the study of law with J. P. Miller, Esq., and N. Baylies, Jr., in Mont- pelier, and was admitted to the Washington
HENDEE.
county bar, November term, 1835. At the dissolution of the firin of Miller & Baylies, he at once formed a partnership with Mr. Miller under the firm name of Miller & Hea- ton, and when Colonel Miller retired in 1839 he took as a partner Mr. Charles Reed, and under the style of Heaton & Reed they con- tinued to practice until the death of the lat- ter in 1873.
Mr. Heaton was united in marriage July 1, 1841, to Harriet, daughter of John Stearns. Of this union were four sons, three of whom are now living : Charles 11., James S., and Homer W. Mrs. Heaton died April 26, 1859.
Mr. Heaton was state's attorney in 1839- '41, '60, and '61, and represented Montpe- lier in 1848. He has always been a staunch Democrat and was the Democratic candi- date for Governor in 1869 and '70, and for Congress in 1872 and '74. Of late years Mr. Heaton has kept out of the practice of the law all that he could to devote himself to the care of his own property and the man- agement of the Montpelier Savings Bank and Trust Co., of which he has been presi- dent since its organization in 1871.
HENDEE, GEORGE WHITMAN, of Mor- risville, son of Jehial P. and Rebecca (Ferrin) Hendee, was born in Stowe, Nov. 30, 1832.
George W. Hendee was educated in the common schools, and at the People's Ac- ademy at Morrisville. His parents were poor, and all his educational advantages were obtained by his own strenuous and unaided exertions. At the age of twenty he commenced the study of law in the office of WV. G. Ferrin of Johnson. He was admitted to the Lamoille county bar in 1855. It was an era of frequent justice and jury trials. The industry, pleasing address, and clear in- sight of the young advocate were soon re- warded with an ample and constantly increas- ing practice. A large proportion of the more important cases were soon committed to his charge, and nearly all of his recent practice has been in the county and supreme courts of the state and U. S. circuit and district courts. During the last twenty- five years the discharge of important politi- cal duties, and the management of great business enterprises, have at times withdrawn the attention of Governor Hendee from his professional labors. He was one of the pioneers in the construction of the P. & O. R. R., and gave his entire time to it for a period of seven years, and is now the only director who has given the road continuous service since the organization of the corpor- ation. He has been for three years, and is the president of the Montreal, Portland & Boston R. R. of Canada. His connection
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Geow Hendes
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111.BARD.
with banking interests has been varied and extensive. He is a director and the vice president of the Union Savings Bank and Trust Co, of Morrisville. He was receiver of the National Bank of Poultney, and of the Vermont National Bank of St. Albans, and was national bank examiner from 1879 to 1885.
Governor Hendee is and always has been a Republican. When he was twenty-one years old, he was elected to the office of superintendent of schools, a position he has since repeatedly and worthily filled, and dur- ing the alnost forty years since that time there has been no year in which he has not been called by the public to discharge some official trust. He has many times acted by order of court as auditor, trustee, and special master. He was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives for Morristown two sessions, 1861-'62, state's attorney for Lamoille county in 1858-'59, deputy provost marshal during the war, senator for Lamoille county in 1866-'67, and 1868, and Lieutenant Governor in 1869.
Sworn in as Governor by Judge Steele on the death of Gov. P. T. Washburn, he served the remainder of the term. He was a mem- ber of the Forty-third, Forty-fourth and Forty- fifth Congresses, and there served on the committee on private land claims, and on the District of Columbia. He was largely instrumental in drafting and securing the passage of the law which made an entire change of the form of government of the District, under which it has since existed, and which has placed it on an entirely sound financial basis.
During his long public career Governor Hendee has served his town in many and varied capacities, and the grateful apprecia- tion in which his services, both public and private, are held, is well known. He is now serving his third term as president of the board of village trustees. During the last ten years he has sought relaxation in agri- cultural pursuits. He is largely interested in the breeding and development of first- class light carriage horses of the Morgan type and blood. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; married Nov. 17, 1855, Millissa, daughter of Stevens and Caroline (Johnson) Redding. Their only child was Lillian Frances, now deceased. His wife died in 1861, and he married, Dec. 23, 1863, Viola S., daughter of Loren and Fidelia (Paine) Bundy.
HEBARD, SALMON B., son of Hon. William Hebard, was born Nov. 15, 1835, and was educated at the Orange county grammar school of Randolph, and at Chel- sea Academy. [For an extended sketch of Hon. William Hebard see historical portion of this work.]
HENRY.
He entered his father's office as a law stu- dent when he was nineteen years of age, but at twenty one he was appointed clerk of Orange county court and held that office until 1860. He was admitted to the bar in 1861. In the fall of that year he enlisted and was made 2d lieutenant of the ist Vt. Light Battery and served in the Department of the Gulf until November, 1863, when he returned to Chelsea and resumed legal prac- tice, soon forming a partnership with his
SALMON B. HEBARD.
father which continued until the death of the latter. He has been town agent ever since 1875, and deputy clerk of Orange county court most of the time since 1860, and on the death of Hon. L. G. Hinckley in 1887 was appointed clerk. In 1880 he was elected state's attorney for Orange county and in 1884 senator.
Mr. Hebard is an earnest, reliable man of good judgment and ability.
HENRY, WILLIAM WIRT, of Burlington, son of James M. and Matilda (Gale) Henry, was born Nov. 21, 1831, in Waterbury.
His educational advantages were limited to the district and village schools of Water- bury and one term in the People's Academy of Morrisville.
He was in California in 1852, whence he returned in 1857, and entered into partner- ship with his father and brother. Selling out his interest in 1861, he enlisted as a private in Co. D, 2d Vt. Vols. Promoted Ist lieuten- ant, Co. D, he was present at the first battle
193
HEWITT.
of Bull Run, and a few months afterwards he was mustered out on a surgeon's certificate. He again entered the service, August 26, 1862, as major of the 10th Infantry, Vt. Vols., and successively was promoted to the grade of lieutenant-colonel and colonel, and finally to brevet-brigadier-general for gallant and meritorious service during the war. He commanded his regiment at the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tol- opotomy Creek, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Cedar Creek, Va., and Monocacy, Md. Slightly wounded at Cold Harbor and Mon- ocacy, he was hit four times at Cedar Creek. Congress granted him a medal for gallantry at Cedar Creek.
The first entry of General Henry into public life was his appointment as constable in White Oak township, Eldorado county, California, in 1856. After the war he was twice elected state senator from Washington county, and also from Chittenden county, in 1874. He was appointed United States marshal for district of Vermont, in 1879, which office he held for seven years. He was mayor of Burlington in 1887-'88, and appointed immigrant inspector in 1892.
General Henry was married August 5, 1857, to Mary Jane, daughter of Lyman and Mary (Sherman) Beebe. Five children were born to them : Bertram Beebe, Mary Matilda, Ferdinand Sherman, Katie Beebe, and Carrie Eliza. His second wife was Valera, daughter of Timothy J. and Susan P. (White) Heaton, whom he married at Watertown, Dec. 3, 1872.
After his return from the war, General Henry again re-entered the old firm and the business was removed to Burlington. This partnership was dissolved in 1870, and from it sprung the firm of Henry, Johnson & Lord.
General Henry has been prominent in the Masonic fraternity and military societies in- stituted since the civil war. He received his first degrees in Masonry in Aurora Lodge, Montpelier, in 1858 ; was a charter member and Past Master of the lodge at Waterbury ; also charter member of Burlington Lodge, Burlington. He has enjoyed the honor of Past Grand Master of the I. O. O. F. and de- partment commander of the G. A. R. of Vermont. He has been admitted to the military order of the Loyal Legion, the Soci- ety of the Army of the Potomac, and the Knights of Pythias.
HEWITT, ALEXIS B., of Putney, son of William and Abigail (Holman) Hewitt, was born in Windham, Nov. 29, 1822.
He received his early education at the common schools of the town, and had several terms at the old Saxton's River academy, where he received a teacher's certificate.
HEWITT.
In 1842-'43 he taught school in London- derry, but becoming dissatisfied with the small pay teachers received in those days, he removed to Putney, in the early part of 1843, and found employment in a woolen mill, where he remained for twelve years, being superintendent for nine years of the time. Here he acquired sufficient capital to establish himself in business, and in the spring of 1857 he bought a one-half interest in "The Old Corner Store" with Mr. Baker, continuing for fourteen years. In 1869 Mr. A. F. Kelley, now Kelley Bros., bankers, Minneapolis, Minn., bought the interest of Mr. Baker, and the firm name of Hewitt &
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ALEXIS B. HEWITT.
Kelley was adopted. This firm continued the business for three years, until 1872, when Mr. Hewitt bought the interest of his partner and continued it until 1882.
Mr. Hewitt has always been a man of high character and standing in the commu- nity, and has held many positions of trust, to which he has been both appointed and elected.
In 1862 he received from President Lin- coln the office of postmaster ; holding the office continuously until 1882, when he re- signed. In 1857 he was elected town treas- urer, a position of trust which he still holds. In 1868 he was elected town clerk, and since that time he has been elected each year. He has also been receiver of taxes since 1884.
In 1890 and 1892 he represented his town in the General Assembly at Montpelier, and
19.1
was a delegate to the national Republican convention at Minneapolis in 1892.
Mr. Hewitt was married August 4, 1845, to Miss Abbie F., daughter of John B. and Harriet Moore Pierce.
A man of quiet habits, unostentatious, but of liberal views, having much sympathy for the unfortunate, and always taking a deep interest in the welfare of the town and its people ; he is beloved by the conununity, and most by those who know him best.
11H.1., GEORGE W., of Lunenburg, son of C'arleton and Amanda M. ( Carr) Hill, was born in Danville, Dec. 18, 18.42.
His father moved to Concord when George was three years old, and he received his ed- ucation in the common schools of that town and of Lunenburg.
GEORGE W. HILL.
At the age of eight he had the mis- fortune to lose his mother, and five years afterward he left home and found employ- ment in various places in Concord until 1856, when he returned to Lunenburg and there engaged in farm labor until his patri- otic impulses led him to serve in the army of the Union. Enlisting in Co. K, 8th Regt. Vt. Vols., under the command of Col. Stephen Thomas, he shared in the vicissi- tudes of the Louisiana campaign. He was present at Boutes Station, Bayou Teche, Fort Bisland, Port Hudson, Donaldson, Win- chester, Va., Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. Severely wounded in the first named engage- ment, he refused an honorable discharge and
returned to his regiment. He entered the service a private, was promoted through every grade to zd lieutenant, and as such returned with his company at the close of the war.
After the termination of the struggle Lieutenant Fill returned to Lunenburg, en- gaged in farming and finally settled on the place where he now resides.
He was united in marriage, Nov. 7, 1865, to Amanda M., daughter of Sylvanus and Martha Lane. Four children have been the fruit of their union : Harry S., George W. (deceased), Clara M., and Madge E.
Mr. Hill is an adherent of the Republican party and has repeatedly been charged with the responsibilities of many offices in the gift of his fellow-townsmen. He ably repre- sented Lunenburg in the Legislature of 1890. He is a prominent member of Howard Post, G. A. R., and for three years was commander. He is noted for energy and perseverance, is a good financier and successful farmer.
HILL, HARLAN HENRY, of Lowell, son of Samuel and Jane ( Fairbanks) Hill, was born in Greensboro, April 16, 1860.
He is one of the most successful physi- cians in Orleans county, and has an univer- sally large practice. Dr. Hill is a self-made man and after leaving the public schools of Greensboro, by a hard and diligent struggle procured sufficient funds for a more extended education in the Liberal Institute of Glover, and the Eclectic College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York City, from which lat- ter institution he was graduated in 1883, af- ter an extensive experience in hospital practice at Bellevue and Blackwell's Island. After graduating he pursued his profession a few months with his former preceptor, Dr. Templeton, of Glover, with whom he had studied three years, going from Glover to Morgan. In the fall of 1884 he moved to Lowell, where he soon acquired an extensive practice. In 1886, Dr. Hill was elected town superintendent of schools.
He is a member of the Vermont Eclectic Society and in 1892 was elected vice-presi- dent. Politically, he is a strong Republican ; in religious preferences he is a liberal.
May 12, 1884, he married Zana B. Drew, of Glover.
HITCHCOCK, AARON CHARLES, of Westfield, son of Medad Smith and Patty (Hitchcock) Hitchcock, was born July 19, 1823, in Westfield. He is seventh in de- scent from Luke Hitchcock, who settled in New Haven, Conn., in 1644, from which place his two sons, Luke and John, removed to Springfield, Mass., building a log house on the present site of the old court house, which habitation was burned down when
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HITCHCOCK.
Springfield was attacked and pillaged by the
The Hitchcock family have always been prominent in Westfield, and no member more so than A. C. Hitchcock, whose edu- cation was received in the public schools. His father died when he was seventeen years old and on him devolved much re- sponsibility (ably borne) as the eldest of a family of six. Mr. Hitchcock has devoted
AARON CHARLES HITCHCOCK.
his life mainly to agricultural pursuits and was a pioneer in fruit growing in his section, and as a farmer and business man has been eminently successful. He is a large owner of real estate in Orleans county and also in Iowa and Dakota. In 1873 he purchased a half interest in a general store at Troy for his son Edward and a year later bought out the other partner. This property, however, he sold after his son's death.
He was married March 12, 1849, to Cal- ista L., daughter of Johnathan and Lydia (Rowell) Jenkins of Kirby, who is a direct descendant of the famous Hannah Dustin. They have had three children : Charles S. (deceased), Edward A. (deceased), Emma C. (Mrs. Hiram O. Miller).
HOBART.
Since the formation of the Republican Indians. The great-grandfather of Aaron . party, Mr. Hitchcock has been a sturdy ad- was the first white settler who remained through the winter in Brimfield, Mass., and was one of the original proprietors of that town, from where Capt. Medad Hitchcock removed to Westfield in 1805 and there built the first grist and saw mill and the first frame barn, the latter serving as church and schoolhouse for a time. herent of the same, and, while in no sense a politician, he has often been called upon to serve his town. In 1860 and 1861 he was fitly chosen to represent Westfield in the state Legislature and at the special session in April, 1861. He has been a trustee of the Westfield grammar school since its incor- poration and for thirty years was its treasurer and one of the prudential committee. At the age of twenty-five he became an active member of the Congregational church to which he has been a most liberal contributor and supporter, always active in Sunday school work and taking much interest in home and foreign missions.
The success of Mr. Hitchcock in the course of a long and active career has been the result of his personal energy, common sense, and natural good judgment.
HOBART, JOHN WHITE, of St. Albans, son of Thomas S. and Mary ( Packard) Hob- art, was born in Randolph, August 23, 1829.
The subject of this sketch is of English descent, and was educated at Orange county grammar school, and at Thetford Academy, under the tuition of Hiram B. Orcutt. The traits of character which were to bring suc- cess to young Hobart early manifested them- selves, and before reaching man's estate he was fighting the battle of life unaided. At the age of eighteen he entered the employ- ment of the Vermont Central Railroad in the train department. In 1848, several months before the road was completed, and during the period of this employment, he had more or less to do with the construction of the line.
In 1849 the road was opened to Mont- pelier on the 4th of July of that year, and Mr. Hobart was appointed station agent at the Capital. Ten years of faithful service in this capacity was rewarded by a further recognition of his ability and usefulness, and in March, 1859, he was made master of trans- portation. This position he held fourteen years, and at its close had completed a quarter of a century of active service for the Vermont Central corporation, commencing his second quarter as general superintendent of the road and its leased lines in 1873. The growth of the road, and its extension by branch roads built, and other roads leased, furnished a large field, requiring more ex- tended supervision, and in 1883 Mr. Hobart was made general manager of the Central Vermont system.
Continued application will tell on the strongest constitution, and though capable of more physical endurance than the average man, Mr. Hobart had to succomb to im- paired health, and on June 1, 1891, for that
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HOBART.
HOBSON.
reason, resigned his position, after having been in the employment of the company. forty three years.
During a large part of the period of his service as general superintendent and gon- eral manager, the railroad management was harassed by vexations litigation, extending over a long period, and making heavy de- mands on the time and ability of the presi- dent, the late ex-Governor John Gregory Smith, and compelling him to depend largely, and at times entirely, upon his gen- eral superintendent and manager in all affairs connected with the operations of the rail- road ; how thoroughly and ably the many
JOHN WHITE HOBART.
duties of the latter were performed is shown by its prosperity, notwithstanding it was so heavily handicapped during that period, a prosperity that John W. Hobart helped to make possible.
His reputation as an able railroad man- ager has extended far beyond the borders of his native state, and he has several times received offers from corporations, notably the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the New Orleans & Mobile. These offers with large salaries connected with them would have persuaded many less unselfish natures, but through them all his loyalty to the old Central Vermont never swerved, nor his love for the Green Mountain state in which he was content to pass his life.
He was married in Royalton, Jan. 18, 1853, to Mary Jane, daughter of Luther and Mary
Jacobs (Lyman ) Howe. They have one son : Norman 1 ..
He never aspired to any political office, though in 1870 he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention.
He is a member of the several local branches of the Masonic fraternity, and was district deputy grand master for a term.
Mr. Hobart is associated with many of the local enterprises in the town of St. Albans, to which his well-balanced judgment and business instincts are a tower of strength. He is a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and a generous contributor to its support. His genial disposition and uni- versal courtesy makes him essentially a man of the people. No corporation ever had a manager who so generally commanded the esteem of all classes of employes.
HOBSON, SAMUEL DECATUR, of Island Pond, son of Samuel and Hannah (Sawyer) Hobson, was born in Hollis, Me., Oct. 5, 1830.
Mr. Hobson is of English descent and was educated in the common schools and at Lim- erick Academy. In 1852, he removed to Island Pond, and aided in the erection of the first building in the village. He continued the business of builder and contractor until 1857, when he was engaged by Isaac Dyer, of Portland, as foreman of his mill and lum- ber business, and he remained with him two years, when he became the agent of St. John Smith of the same place, whose interest he soon purchased. After continuing here for three years Mr. Hobson bought the Wood- bury Mills at East Brighton in 1886, and "Hobson's Mills" has since that time been his residence, until, in 1890, he removed to Island Pond, and his sons have been associa- ted with him. In addition to their regular trade, they maintain an extensive mercantile establishment and carry on a large stock farm.
Mr. Hobson was united in marriage in January, 1854, to Mary E., daughter of Eben and Sarah (Haley) Sawyer, of Hollis, Me. To them have been born : Harry Howard, Helen M. (Mrs. K. B. Fletcher, Jr., of Lan- caster, N. H.), John E. (deceased), Eugene F., Sarah M., Albion W., Mary C., and Elsie G.
Mr. Hobson is an active and influential Republican. Having performed the duties of the various town offices he was chosen to the Legislature in 1856, and again in 1882 and 1883. The following year he was elected to the Senate from Essex county and was appointed by Governor Dillingham a mem- ber of the committe to locate the new state asylum for the insane. In 1860 he received the honor of an election as assistant judge of the county court.
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HOLBROOK.
HOLBROOK.
Judge Hobson is a liberal and public-spir- ited man of strong temperance views and a consistent member of the M. E. Church. He possesses good judgment and remarkable en- ergy, in consequence of which he has been financially successful.
HOLBROOK, ARTHUR T., of Leming- ton, son of Thomas P. and Olive ( Buffington ) Holbrook, was born Nov. 8, 1839, in Leming- ton. His father, Thomas, came to Lemington from Belchertown, Mass., as one of the earli- est settlers, in 1805. Here in the compara- tive wilderness he reared, amid his rough surroundings, a family of eighteen sturdy children, who though accustomed to hard- ships and toil from early infancy, all lived to maturity.
Arthur attended the schools of his native town and the neighboring academy of Cole- brook, N. H., when not engaged in labor on the farm. He now is in possession of a fine fertile estate, embracing six hundred and forty acres, which he manages with great ability, producing two tons of maple sugar annually. A dutiful son, he has remained upon this farm his whole life long, and cherished the declining years of his father who died in 1873, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight ; and of his mother who still survives, and though nearly four score and ten, is a pleasant and intelligent old lady, retaining full possession of her mental faculties.
Mr. Holbrook is a prominent Republican, but though living in a Democratic town, has been pronounced worthy of almost all the offices in its gift, and was complimented by an election to the Legislature in 1874. He has also been called upon to fill the responsi- ble position of justice of the peace and town clerk for thirty and twenty years respectively, while his assistance has been frequently sought in settling estates. In 1870 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention.
He was married in Colebrook, Jan. 17, 1880, to Marial C., daughter of Judge Elias and Clarissa (Smith) Lyman. Two children have blessed their union : Maude Lyman, and Harold Arthur.
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