USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 67
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Soon after his discharge he came to East Corinth, and, in company with his brother, purchased and carried on the grist mill in that place for four years. In 1876 he moved to Topsham and engaged in the manufacture of bobbins and spools and to this end he has just erected a plant that promises much for the future prosperity of the community.
Mr. Jackman was married at Bradford in October, 1869, to Mrs. Nancy (Crown) Row- land, and four children have been born to them : Alfred C., Winthrop T., Henry A., Jr., and Mary E.
He is an ardent Republican, a man of few words, but prompt, decided and resolute in action and with a persistence that in the end is bound to succeed in whatever he under- takes. He has always avoided rather than sought office, as the demands of his business are imperative. For several years, however, he served as selectman and represented Tops- ham in the House in 1876. He is a mem- ber of the G. A. R. and for two years served as commander of Ransom Post, No. 7, of East Corinth.
JAMES, JOHN A., of Middlebury, son of Samuel and Susan ( Payne) James, was born in Weybridge, April 7, 1853.
Descended from a family of undoubted worth and respectability, he received his earlier education in the schools of Wey- bridge and afterwards studied at the high school of Middlebury.
His chief occupation has ever been that of a farmer and he resides on the old homestead which has been in the possession of the James family since 1788. Here he has stead- ily pursued his calling and like many farmers of his county gave much attention to sheep breeding, but in recent years he has devoted more effort to the dairy, and breeding of fine horses. His property yields him fine returns and he is one of those who find farming re- numerative.
Mr. James is a Republican and he has been honored by his fellow-townsmen with more offices than he cared to accept. He
JANES.
was chosen representative of the town of Weybridge in 1800 and served on the com mittee on agriculture. While in the House he was an intelligent and conservative mem- ber.
He was married in Weybridge, April 15, 1871, to Orpha, daughter of Philo and Eliza ( Landon) Jewett. Four children have blessed their union : Grace E., Emma C., J. Perry (died in youth ), and Samuel E.
JOHN A, JAMES.
Mr. James is a member and liberal sup- porter of the Congregational church of his town, to which the James family has ever been attached. He is esteemed a true and hearty supporter of the principles he pro- fesses, and all who know him predict for him a useful and honorable career in his county and the state.
JANES, ARTHUR LEE, of Middlebury, son of Charles W. and Mina (Anderson) Janes, was born in Montgomery, August 22, 1867.
His early education was obtained in the public schools of St. Albans, where he fitted for college. After a course of hard and un- remitting study he entered the University of Vermont, following the classical course in that institution. In the fall of 1887 Mr. Janes changed the scene of his labors to Boston University, from which he graduated in 1889. During the time that he was thus employed in completing his education, he had at intervals engaged in teaching with much success, and on graduation determined
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to follow that profession. He was made suc- cessively the principal of the graded and high schools of Northfield and of Middlebury. His popularity and success in these posi- tions, and his superior qualities as scholar and instructor, attracted the attention of the college authorities and his services were en- gaged as professor of Latin and French in Middlebury college, and he has occupied that chair since 1891.
While at the University of Vermont, Pro- fessor Janes was an active and prominent member of the local Delta Psi society, and in Boston joined the Theta Delta Chi frater- nity, of which he has ever been an active and loyal member.
He is a member of the Congregational church and has been actively connected with local county and state Christian Endea- vor societies, energetically furthering their work and usefulness and holding their high- est offices. Though one of the youngest professors in the state he has won the respect of all who have come into contact with him, and has gained a wide reputation in social and educational circles.
JENNE, JAMES NATHANIEL, of St. Albans, son of John Gilbert and Charlotte (Wordworth ) Jenne, was born in Berkshire, Dec. 21, 1859.
JAMES NATHANIEL JENNE.
Having received his preparatory educa- tion at the Enosburg Falls graded schools, he entered the medical department of the U. V. M. and graduated therefrom in 1881.
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He afterward attended for four years the regular courses of the Post Graduate Medical School of New York, from which he took a diploma in 1890.
Dr. Jenne began the practice of medicine at Georgia, remaining there until 1887, when he established himself at St. Albans, and at once attained a high standing in his pro- fession, and won an enviable reputation as a skillful surgeon. Elected a member of the Franklin County Society, Clinical Society of New York, American Medical Association, and the Vermont State Medical Society, he was made president of the latter in 1890. Previous to this date he was a member of its board of censors, and he has been a dele- gate on several occasions to the societies of other states, and to the American Medical Association. In 1890 he was chosen a member of the board of consulting surgeons of the Mary Fletcher Hospital, to which posi- tion he has been elected annually since that time. In 1892 was invited to fill the chair of adjunct professor of materia medica in the medical department of the U. V. M., and in 1893 to the chair of materia medica.
In 1889 Dr. Jenne was commissioned as- sistant surgeon Ist Regt. V. N. G., and the following year was promoted to the office of surgeon, which was subsequently followed by his advancement to the position of brigade surgeon with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, which office he now holds.
He is a member of the A. O. F. of A., and of the Masonic fraternity ; in the latter or- ganization he is affiliated with Franklin Lodge, Champlain Chapter, and Lafayette Cammandery.
Dr. Jenne was united in marriage in September, 1883, to Abbie, daughter of Hiram and Miranda (Gilmore) Cushman.
JENNINGS, CYRUS, of Hortonville, son of Justin and Harriet (Hill) Jennings, was born in Hubbardton, Feb. 23, 1838.
Having received his education in the common schools he adopted farming as his profession, in which pursuit he has been vigorously engaged to the present time.
Strongly Democratic in his political faith, he has enjoyed the confidence of his fellow- townsmen to such an extent that they have seen fit to entrust him with the offices of selectman and lister. In 1876 he was called upon to represent his native town in the General Assembly, which honor was sup- plemented by an election to the Senate in 1890.
Mr. Jennings was united in marriage, Nov. 13, 1861, to Alice E., daughter of N. H. Eddy. Four sons have blessed this union : William A., Edward J., Elmer E., and Joseph S.
JENNINGS.
JENNINGS, REV. ISAAC, late of Ben- nington Centre, son of Isaac and Anne Beach Jennings, was born in Trumbull, Conn., July 24, 1816.
While yet a lad he removed to Derby of that state and there his early days were passed. Having obtained his preparatory education in accordance with the admirable New England system in the common school and preparatory academy he graduated from Yale College in the famous class of 1837, which numbered among its numbers such prominent men as Hon. William M. Evarts of New York, Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite, Hon. Edwards Pierpont, Samuel J. Tilden and others, and the thoroughness of his mental training was apparent in all his after life.
Fresh from collegiate honors, he com- menced the active career of life as the prin- cipal of a school in Washington, Conn., in 1837-'38, but transferred the scene of his labors to New Haven, where he took charge of the Hopkins grammar school, and num- bered among his pupils Dr. Timothy Dwight, afterward president of his alma mater, but he soon abandoned the profession of a teacher to study for the Christian ministry, pursuing a course of theology at New Haven, Conn., and subsequently at Andover, Mass. From the theological seminary of the latter place he graduated in 1842. Though earnest in church work, he never lost his interest in schools, a fact fully substantiated by his connection with those of Akron, O., where he commenced his ministry, becom- ing pastor of the Second Congregational Church of that city June 14, 1843. There he labored with untiring zeal to carry out measures of reform in their then defective school system, and his energetic efforts were rewarded, for he inaugurated there the sys- tem of graded schools, now so common throughout the country. To such an extent did he leave his impress upon the interests of education in that section that he has been justly styled in the annual reports of the board of education, "The Father of our Public Schools."
February 17, 1847, he was married to Sophia, daughter of Matthias and Sophia (Loomis) Day of Mansfield, Ohio. They had nine children : Isaac, Jr., Walter Loomis (deceased), Sophia Day (deceased), Frederic Beach, Matthias Day (deceased), Charles Green Rockwood, Robert Gould, Philip Burton, and William Bigelow.
After a successful pastorate at Stamford, Conn., commencing in 1847, Mr. Jennings removed to Bennington, where he was in- stalled over the First Church of Christ, Bennington Centre, Sept. 21, 1853, and here the remainder of his useful and Chris- tian life was passed. For over thirty-four
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JENNINGS.
years he presided over his flock-a typical "New England hill-side parish," as he him- self quaintly termed it. With repeated op- portunities to go to larger fields, and with prospects of larger financial gain, Mr. Jen- nings steadily refused to leave his people in historic Bennington, preferring to live and die among them. In 1859 he made a Eu- ropean tour and returned with fresh vigor and enlarged powers for his life work.
Of his published writings the "Memorials of a Century" is probably the best known, and will go down to posterity as a history of Bennington and the old First Church. One of the most remarkable pulpit efforts of Mr. Jennings was his centennial discourse deliv- ered in the old church on its one hundredth anniversary in 1863, which will long be re- membered by those who were privileged to listen to it. Ever zealous and active in all matters pertaining to the welfare and credit of the town from the inception of the enter- prise he took great interest and an influen- tial part in the erection of the Bennington battle monument. He was an active mem- ber and vice president of the association, and a member and secretary of the board of directors, while his last public utterance pronounced the benediction which closed the ceremony on laying the corner stone of the monument. A model pastor, faithful and beloved to an eminent degree, a public-spir- ited citizen, an enthusiastic promoter of good works, his useful and Christian life was brought to a close August 25, 1887.
JENNINGS, FREDERIC B., son of Rev. Isaac and Sophia Day Jennings, was born in Bennington Centre, August 6, 1853.
After completing the preparatory course he entered Williams College, where he grad- uated in 1872 with high honors. He subse- quently studied law at the Harvard Law School, taking his degree therefrom in 1874, and from the University Law School in New York City in 1875 with honors.
Mr. Jennings entered the office of William M. Evarts in New York City in 1874, where he remained in successful practice several years, after which he established his present law firm of Jennings & Russell, 30 Broad street, New York City.
While his time and energies have been chiefly devoted to his law practice, many other business interests have shared his at- tention. Mr. Jennings is the vice-president of the American Trading Company, a large and prosperous concern engaged in business with China, Japan and London. He is also vice-president of the Bennington & Rutland Railroad Co., and of the First National Bank of North Bennington. He is a trustee of the Free Library Hall at Bennington, as well as a trustee of public schools in the
city of New York, and a director or trustee in several other business enterprises in New York.
FREDERIC B. JENNINGS.
Mr. Jennings married, July 27, 1880, Laura Hall, daughter of Trenor W. and Laura V. D. S. Park, and a granddaughter of the late Governor Hiland Hall. Their children are : Percy Hall, Elizabeth, and Frederic B., Jr.
JOHNSON, LEONARD, of Pawlet, son of James and Ruth (Williams) Johnson, was born at Pawlet, Nov. 28, 1828.
Having received the usual educational ad- vantages of the common schools, he was a tiller of the soil till he arrived at his majority, when his active disposition making him de- sire a change, he entered the employment of the R. & W. R. R. Co. as station agent, and has continued in this occupation for forty years.
During the late civil war he acted as re- cruiting officer and assistant provost mar- shal.
In 1852 he became a member of the order of Odd Fellows, joining Hopkins Lodge, Hartford, N. Y., and he has been a Free and Accepted Mason for thirty-five years.
Mr. Johnson was married at Pawlet, Feb. 26, 1857, to Harriet, daughter of Harry and Harriet Viets. Of this union were born three children : Wayland, R. G. M., and Anna A. As his second wife he wedded Ellen, daughter of Charles and Julia Wright, of Hartford, N. Y.
JOHNSON.
In his political career he has been re- peatedly elected selectman, and has been justice of the peace in Pawlet for thirty eight years. Twice has he represented his native town in the state Legislature, and been deemed worthy of filling the responsibile position of senator from Rutland county for two successive terms. In all these positions he has never failed to merit the confidence reposed in him by those through whose in- strumentality he has been called to office.
JOHNSON, RUSSELL THAYER, of West Concord, son of Ransel and Sally ( Farmer) Johnson, was born in Newark, April 4, 1841.
RUSSELL THAYER JOHNSON.
The public schools furnished him with his early educational training and he fitted for college in the Charlestown (P. Q.) Acad- emy, after which he studied medicine with Dr. Charles S. Cahoon of Lyndon, and graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, in 1867.
Dr. Johnson began the practice of medi- cine in Stanstead, Canada, and in 1869 he removed to Concord, and since that time has had an extensive practive not only in that, but also in adjoining towns. In 1862 he enlisted in the 11th Regt. Vt. Vols., and served nearly three years, most of the time in the medical department of the Sixth Army Corps and since 1872 has been ex- amining surgeon for pensions.
JOHNSON.
He is a Republican, and was member from Concord in the Legislature of 1884. In 1886 he was vice- president of the Vermont State Medical Society. For nine years he has been supervisor of the insane. He has been honored with several town offices, and at present is town treasurer.
lle is a prominent Mason and Odd Fel- low and is also a member of the G. A. R., having held several important offices in the department of Vermont.
Dr. Johnson was married, March 29, 1869, to Asenath A., daughter of Samuel and Almira (Currier) Weeks of Wheelock.
JOHNSON, WILLIAM EDWARD, of Woodstock, son of Eliakim and Harrie A. (Collamer) Johnson, was born in Wood- stock, June 26, 1841.
He received his preparatory education at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., and entered Dartmouth College from which he graduated in the class of 1862.
He studied law with Gov. P. T. Washburn and Hon. Charles P. Marsh of the firm of Washburn & Marsh, and was admitted to the bar of Windsor county at the May term, 1865. He has from that time on
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WILLIAM EDWARD JOHNSON.
been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Woodstock. A noticeable thing in his legal work is the large number of cases referred to him for decision, and for findings of fact, more perhaps than to any other lawyer in the state. Mr. Johnson
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is the grandson of the late Hon. Jacob Collamer.
He has proved his business capacity, and is a director in the Woodstock National Bank, the Woodstock Hotel Co., and the Aqueduct Co.
He has been always attached to the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and was elected to the state Senate in 1888. From 1872 to 1874 he was state's attorney for Windsor county.
Mr. Johnson was united in marriage, August 20, 1866, at Woodstock, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Philo and Elizabeth M. (Fitch) Hatch. Of this union there is one child : Margaret L.
JONES, EDWIN KENT, of South North- field, son of Daniel and Rhoda ( Pratt) Jones, was born in the town of Randolph, June 4, 1828. He was the youngest of a family of five children, and his mother dying when he was an infant, he found a good home in the household of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Kent, of Warren, in the schools of which place he re- ceived his education.
EDWIN KENT JONES.
He removed to Northfield when he was twenty years of age and became a house car- penter. He erected the first academy and a large number of dwelling houses in North- field during the thriving and prosperous times that followed the advent of the railroad. In 1860 he went to South Northfield to settle the estate of his brother-in-law, George S. Edson, and soon after formed a partnership
JONES.
with his uncle, engaging in trade and at the same time giving some attention to lumber- ing and the manufacture of chairs. By his various enterprises he has added materially to the prosperity and welfare of the village.
Mr. Jones is a Republican in his politi- cal preferences, has served the town in vari- ous capacities, as justice, selectman and as town representative in 1866 and 1867. He is the author of the militia law which is the basis of the present system. In 1882 and 1884 he was elected senator from Washington county. He has been prominently connected with the Dog River Valley Fair Association as its treasurer and president.
He is a member of the DeWitt Clinton Lodge, F. & A. M.
He was married Dec. 30, 1852, to Har- riet E., daughter of Samuel and Harriet (Gardner) Dodge, of Northfield. Four children have been born to them, of whom three are living : Fred A., Susie E. (deceased ), Minnie A. (Mrs. E. H. Prince of Chicago), and Jessie A.
JONES, HENRY R., of Benson, son of Henry and Lodema (Crawford) Jones, was born in Shoreham, Dec. 11, 1822.
He received his early instruction in the public schools of Shoreham and Newton Academy and afterward as a student at Burr Seminary in Manchester, from which he graduated in 1844. After teaching a pri- vate school for one year he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Joel Rice of Brid- port. He attended his first course of lect- ures at the medical college in Castleton, con- tinuing his studies with Dr. Joseph Perkins, professor of obstetrics and materia medica in that institution, and graduated in the fall of 1849. The following year he commenced his professional labors in New Haven, but left to attend a post graduate course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Devoting several months to hos- pital practice and attending lectures, he re- turned to Vermont and settled at Benson, where he has since enjoyed a large and lucrative practice.
In educational matters he has taken great interest and was for a long time town super- intendent of schools. Dr. Jones has always voted the Republican ticket, both national and state, up to the time of President Cleve- land's nomination in 1884 : since then he has been independent in his political views.
In the winter of 1863 he was appointed by Governor Holbrook one of the board for the county of Rutland to examine those liable to military duty with a view to selecting the fit- test subjects to choose from in case of a draft. He represented Benson in the House in the years 1868 and '69, serving each ses- sion on the committee on education, and
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contributed largely to obtaining a special charter for a railroad from Fair Haven or Whitehall to some point on Lake Champlain.
Early in its history he became a member of the State Medical Society. In 1884 he was chosen delegate to the American Medical Association and to the Burlington Medical
HENRY R. JONES.
College at its annual examination of students preparatory to graduation. In the organiza- tion of the Rutland County Medical and Sur- gical Society he took an active part and was early elected its president.
He was united in marriage at Benson, May 18, 1853, to Louise R., daughter of Hon. Isaac and Louise C. (Chase) Norton. Five children have been the fruit of this union, three of whom still survive : Emma S., Henry R., Jr., M. D., and Charles N.
JONES, ROLLIN J., of West Corn- wall, son of Arnzi and Hepzibath (Harvey) Jones, was born in Cornwall, Nov. 12, 1819. His mother was a relative of James Hervey, M. A., one of the most popular English authors of the eighteenth century. His father was a great-grandson of Benjamin Jones, who was an officer in the English army. His progenitors came to America in the early settlement of the country.
He received his early education at the common schools in Cornwall, and afterward went to Hinesburgh Academy and from thence to the high school at Saco, Me.
He owns one of the most productive farms in the state, and he has followed agri-
JONES.
cultural pursuits chiefly for many years, cul- tivating the estate which has been in the family for over a century. He formerly made a specialty of breeding Durham cattle and Merino sheep, but of late years has devoted his attention more especially to sheep and horses. Mr. Jones and S. S. Rockwell originated the business of export- ing improved sheep, sending away the first lot in 1843. This enterprise first extended to the Mississippi river, and in 1860 to the Pacific coast. He made many trips west before any railroads were built in that sec- tion, and remained on that coast five years, having his horses and sheep shipped to him, his headquarters being at San Francisco.
Mr. Jones was formerly a whig, and be- came a Republican when that party was formed. He has been elected four times to the House of Representatives from his town,
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ROLLIN J. JONES.
in 1849, 1850, 1867, and 1868, and three times to the Senate, in 1853, 1854, and 1869. He was a member of the Constitutional Con- vention in 1857. In 1870 he accepted the collectorship of internal revenue for the first congressional district under President Grant, at the same time refusing to have his name considered for the position of Lieutenant- Governor of the state. He was a popular candidate, having never been beaten in con- vention or at the polls, and has declined being a candidate for many important offices that seemed easily within his reach. He re- tired from politics early in life, peferring to
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devote his time to the management of his estate.
Mr. Jones has been a member of the Bap- tist church since 1840. He is one of the board of managers of the state Baptist con- vention for helping destitute churches and one of the board of managers of the Baptist State Historical Society. He has also held for many years the position of a trustee of Saxton's River Academy.
He was married in Hinesburgh, on Sept. 15, 1842, to Flora, daughter of Sarah and Austin Beecher. From t this union two daughters were born: Martha Grace, and Alice May, both of whom died in youth.
Mr. Jones has been a liberal contributor to the Sheldon Museum of Middlebury. He is a man of literary tastes, quiet and unas- suming in his manner, yet withal possesses an extended acquaintance and is largely influential in the state.
JONES, WALTER ALONZO, late of Waitsfield, son of Hiram and Laura (Car- penter) Jones, was born in Waitsfield, July 27, 1840. His father, Hiram Jones, was prominent in town and county affairs.
WALTER ALONZO JONES.
The boyhood and youth of Mr. Jones were spent upon his father's farm, and he received his primary education in the public schools, after which he fitted for college at Barre Academy. In the fall of 1861 he entered the University of Vermont, but was obliged to leave in his sophomore year on account
JONES.
of ill-health. He was graduated from the medical college at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1865, and practiced his profession for a short time at Fabius, N. Y., and afterwards in his native town. In 1868 he, with others, bought the somewhat extensive mercantile business of his uncle, and this soon after came into his hands exclusively, for which reason he relin- quished the practice of his profession and devoted himself to business pursuits.
Dr. Jones was actively identified with town affairs, especially interesting himself in edu- cational progress, and to him more than any other is due the great improvement and enviable reputation of the schools of Waits- field. He represented his town in 1880 and 1882, serving each term as chairman of the grand list committee. His well demonstrated capacity for affairs, the high esteem in which he was held, easily gave him the nomination to the state Senate in 1888. This was his last public service.
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