USA > Vermont > Franklin County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 25
USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 25
USA > Vermont > Lamoille County > Successful Vermonters; a modern gazetteer of Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle counties, containing an historical review of the several towns and a series of biographical sketches > Part 25
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
Mr. Greene has never sought or held political office of any kind. He served for several years as chair- man of the Republican Town Com- mittee of St. Albans before its or- ganization as a city, was secretary of the Young Men's Republican Club of Vermont and active in the political movement it conducted for several years, and was chosen an alternate-at-large to the Repub- lican National Convention of 1904.
He enlisted in Company B, First Infantry, Vermont National Guard, October 4, 1888, and rose succes- sively through various grades from private to captain. Upon the call of President Mckinley for volun- teers in the war with Spain, he of- fered his services to the govern- ment and raised and recruited Company B, First Infantry, Ver- mont Volunteers, being mustered into the United States service as its captain. During the war he served for some time as adjutant-general
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of the Third Brigade, First Divi- sion, Third Army Corps. Upon the muster-out of his regiment at the close of the war, while he was con- fined to his bed by a well-nigh fatal illness of typhoid fever contracted in the service, he was commissioned senior aide-de-camp with the rank of colonel on the staff of Governor Edward C. Smith.
He is a member of various fra- ternal and patriotic societies, in- cluding the Masons and Elks, the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of Veterans, U. S. A., United Spanish War Veterans and Mili- tary Order of Foreign Wars, in all of which he has held various offices, having twice served as commander of the Vermont Division, Sons of Veterans, U. S. A., and once as commander of the Vermont Com- mandery, Military Order of For- eign Wars. He has served as mas- ter of his Masonic Lodge, has been curator of the Vermont Historical Society, and for years has been secretary of the St. Albans board of trade. He has held various hon- orary appointments in the state at different times.
He married Jessie Emma, daugh- ter of Ahira S. and Emma B. (Soule) Richardson, February 20, 1895, and three children have been born to them.
STRANAHAN, HON. FARRAND STEWART, the third son of the name of Farrand in three succes- sive generations, was born in New York City, February 3, 1842, son of Farrand Stewart and Caroline (Curtis) Stranahan.
He was educated in the schools of his native city and came to St. Albans in 1859, at the age of 17, which was thenceforth his home until his lamented death, July 13, 1904.
In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, First Vermont Cav- alry, and in that famous regiment performed notable service. He was successively promoted from first sergeant to the rank of second and first lieutenant, and partici- pated in all of the battles of his regiment until the winter of 1864, when he was appointed aide-de- camp on the staff of General George A. Custer, and served with that brilliant commander until the September following, when he was honorably discharged and returned home.
His first important business po- sition was that of paymaster on the Vermont Central Railroad, to which he was assigned in 1865. From 1867 to 1871 he was a retail merchant at St. Albans, and at the latter date was appointed treasurer of the National Iron and Car Com- pany, later known as the National Car Company, which position he occupied at the time of his death. He became cashier of the Welden National Bank of St. Albans in 1886, and was made its vice-presi- dent in 1892. He was also a di- rector of the Central Vermont Railroad, and of the Chicago, New York and Boston Refrigerator Company, and was vice-president of Missisquoi Railroad and of the St. Albans Messenger Company.
Republican in politics, Colonel Stranahan served as trustee of the village of St. Albans, and repre- sented the town in the General As- sembly of the state in 1884. Four years later he was elected to the state Senate. He was trustee of the state industrial school from 1888 to 1892, when he was elected lieutenant-governor of Vermont, a position which he filled with fair- ness and efficiency.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
An able and trusted business man and public-spirited citizen, he promptly and faithfully dis- charged many local positions of trust and responsibility in his com- munity. In fact, he was a man of unusually varied gifts, accomplish- ments and interests, and his judg- ment and counsel were constantly sought and freely given.
staff to Governor Ebenezer J. Ormsbee from 1886 to 1888.
In 1862 Mr. Stranahan married Miranda Aldis, daughter of Law- rence and Fidelia B. (Gadcomb) Brainerd and the two children of this union were Mabel Fidelia, de- ceased, and Colonel Farrand Stew- art Stranahan, of Providence. Rhode Island.
FARRAND S. STRANAHAN.
Possessing a rich bass voice, and musical tastes, he sang in the glee clubs and in the choir of the Con- gregational Church, of which or- ganization he was a member and for several years deacon. He main- tained his interest in the military affairs of the state, and was cap- tain of Company D, the well- known "Ransom Guards." He was aide-de-camp and chief of
HALL, HON. ALFRED ALLEN of St. Albans, one of the most widely known and influential men of Ver- mont, was born of Revolutionary stock in Athens, Windham County, December 31, 1848. His education in the common schools of his birth- place was supplemented by an aca- demic course at Leland and Gray Seminary, Townshend. He after- ward fitted for college, but was pre-
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
vented by circumstances from at- tending. He taught school several terms and then entered the office of Davis & Adams at St. Albans, in September, 1870, and read law with them until he was admitted to the Franklin County bar at the April term, 1873. He was soon afterward admitted to the Supreme Court of Vermont and the Circuit Court of the United States. He re- mained in the employ of Davis & Adams, practicing law, from April, 1873, until January, 1874.
At this time Mr. Hall formed a partnership for the practice of his profession with William D. Wilson, which continued until Mr. Wilson's death, covering a longer period of business association than any other law firm in the state at that time. As a lawyer, Mr. Hall stands among the leaders of the state bar ; he is an advocate of exceptional eloquence and a counselor who is well fortified by wide and ex- haustive reading, and a keen and logical mind. His arguments al- ways command the respectful at- tention and careful consideration of the Supreme Bench, and he has throughout his professional career been more than ordinarily success- ful in the conduct of the important and complicated cases committed to his charge.
Upon the death of Judge Start he was prominently mentioned for the position of judge of the Su- preme Court, receiving the unani- mous endorsement of his own bar and that of Bennington County, and hundreds of endorsements from attorneys and prominent busi- ness men throughout the state.
Colonel Hall has always been a working Republican and his fel- low citizens have called him to fill a number of responsible trusts of
a civic character. He is a popular political orator and his services in this direction have been beneficial to his party. He has held the office of town grand juror and was mod- erator of the town of St. Albans 12 years. He was president of the board of trustees of the village of St. Albans in 1880 and 1881; chairman of the school board three years; trustee and treasurer of the free library 30 years, and a trustee of the Franklin County Grammar School. He held the office of cor- poration counsel many years and was chosen the first city attorney for the City of St. Albans. He was state's attorney for Franklin County in 1882-'84, and state sen- ator for Franklin County, 1892- '94, serving as president pro tem. of the Senate during the term. In these many and varied positions, some of them involving arduous labor, legal ability and wise judg- ment, Colonel Hall has never failed to meet the highest expectations of his friends and fellow citizens. In 1895 he was appointed by Governor Levi K. Fuller, chairman of the board of commissioners to revise the laws of Vermont, which re- sulted in the statutes of Vermont now in use, a compilation and codi- fication which has been warmly praised by the bench and bar. In 1895 he was appointed by Governor Urban A. Woodbury, commissioner on uniformity of laws. He was chairman of the Republican State Convention in 1896, and in a wide range of stations of greater or less importance has always cheerfully given his time and talents toward the propagation of Republican doc- trine in the service of his state and community.
Colonel Hall has found time dur- ing the busy years of his life to de-
ALFRED A. HALL.
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
vote attention to military affairs, for which he has decided taste and fitness. He was a member of Com- pany D, First Regiment of In- fantry in the Vermont National Guard (the former Ransom Guards), serving upon the non- commissioned and commissioned staff of the regiment, and was ap- pointed colonel and aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Samuel E. Pingree in 1884. He served more than ten years in the state militia and is now borne on the retired list with the rank of colonel, from which fact he derived the familiar title by which he is known. He was among the first to join the Ver- mont Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, being eligi- ble thereto through the patriotic services of both his paternal and maternal ancestors in the great struggle for freedom.
Colonel Hall is eminent in the Masonic fraternity, his career in that ancient and honorable institu- tion being well known throughout the country. He became a member of Blazing Star Lodge, No. 23, at Townshend, in March, 1870. Upon his removal to St. Albans in 1871, he became a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 4, in which he subse- quently held the office of worship- ful master. He early became prom- inent in the Grand Lodge of the state, and was for two years its grand master.
In February, 1871, he became a member of Champlain Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., in which body he has held the offices up to and in- cluding that of high priest. In 1879 he was elected grand high priest of the Grand Chapter. and re-elected in 1880. He re- ceived the degree of royal mas- ter and select master in Colum-
bus Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters, in St. Albans, in 1872, and from 1882 to 1887 was thrice illus- trious master. In 1877 he re- ceived the Order of the Red Cross and of Knight Templar and Knight of Malta in Lafayette Command- ery, No. 3, and afterwards held the office of eminent commander, and grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Vermont. He is also a prominent member of the other Masonic organizations, and was the first Mason in the state to hold the highest office in the three grand bodies. He organized the Masonic Veteran Association of Vermont in 1889 and was its first venerable president. He has been delegate to numerous important Masonic gatherings in various parts of the country, in which he has been a conspicuous figure. He has attained the 33d degree in the A. A. S. R.
Colonel Hall was married on June 15, 1874, to Abbie L. Austin. daughter of John and Loantha Z. Austin. They have two sons : Har- rie Vaughn Hall, born February 2, 1878, and LeRoy Austin Hall, born August 10, 1887.
HALL, HARRIE VAUGHN, as- sistant treasurer of the Franklin County Savings Bank and Trust Company, is one of the brightest young banking men in Northern Vermont.
The son of Colonel and Mrs. Al- fred A. Hall, he was born in St. Albans, February 2, 1878. He was educated in the public schools of St. Albans and afterwards took a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Boston.
He commenced active work in the fall of 1897 in the employ of the Central Vermont Railway Com- pany at New London, Connecticut,
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and in a few months was made as- sistant purser on one of the Central Vermont steamers running between New London and New York.
He was early interested in military affairs and at the age of 16 entered the Vermont National Guard as a private in Company B. He served as a non-commissioned officer, but
Company B, First Vermont Volun- teer Infantry, May 10, 1898; he served with his regiment at Chicka- mauga, returned with it, and was mustered out of the United States service November 5, 1898. Later he was tendered a commission in a volunteer regiment recruited for service in the Philippine Islands.
HARRIE V. HALL.
on account of his removal from the state he was honorably discharged.
When the Spanish-American War broke out and the call for troops embraced his old company, he immediately resigned his posi- tion at New London, returned, en- listed and was mustered into the United States service as sergeant of
As soon as able after the war, he commenced a clerkship, and on the 18th day of August, 1900, entered the employ of the Franklin County Savings Bank and Trust Company. then in its infancy, and has assisted in building up one of the most suc- sessful banking institutions in the state. In six years its resources
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
have risen from a capital stock of $50,000 to over $600,000.
In 1904 he was made assistant treasurer, a position which by na- ture, thorough application and training, he is especially adapted for and qualified to fill.
Ile is a member of the Spanish-
DANFORTH, HON. DANIEL S., son of Isaac II. and Laura (Aus- tin) Danforth, born in St. Albans, Vt., May 27, 1848. Nicholas Dan- forth, his first American ancestor, was a Puritan in religious faith and a man of high repute. He came from England to Cambridge,
DANIEL S. DANFORTH.
American War Veterans and the local Masonic bodies, at the present holding the office of senior warden of Franklin Lodge, No. 4.
He is a Republican and a mem- ber of the ward committee.
July 14, 1904, he married May E. Robertson, and they have one daughter, Dorothy May, born Feb- ruary 9, 1906.
Massachusetts, in 1634, and the next year represented that town in the General Court.
Isaac H. Danforth was born in Fletcher, but in early manhood re- moved from that town to St. Al- bans, where he reared his family of six children upon a farm. Silas H. Danforth, his youngest son, has been connected with the United
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
States custom service many years and is now deputy in charge at St. Albans.
Daniel S. Danforth was educated in the public schools and academy of Fairfax. His early life was spent upon the paternal farm. He married Eunice G. Wheeler of Fletcher in 1868, and several years later entered the employ of the Ver- mont Central Railroad and for a dozen years was a passenger con- ductor. For three years he was proprietor and manager of the Al- bion Hotel, Montreal, Quebec. Dur- ing the past 15 years he has practi- cally retired from active business.
Mr. Danforth has served St. Al- bans three years as school director, two years as alderman from the fifth ward, and a dozen or more years as justice of the peace. He was elected one of the associate judges of Franklin County, Sep- tember 4, 1906.
Mr. Danforth possesses many qualities which win and retain the friendship and esteem of his asso- ciates. He is widely and favor- ably known in Masonic circles. He has attained the 33d degree, is a past grand high priest of the Grand Chapter, past grand master of the Grand Council, and is grand junior warden of Grand Com- mandery and grand marshal of the Grand Lodge of Vermont.
TILLOTSON, HON. LEE STE- PHEN, at present judge of the city court for the City of St. Albans, was born at Bakersfield, December 8, 1874. His parents were Stephen O. Tillotson, a veteran of the Civil War and Mariett J. (Doane) Til- lotson, old residents of Bakersfield.
He was educated in the common schools of his native town and at Brigham Academy, from which he
graduated in the class of 1890 at the age of 15.
He came to St. Albans in the fall of 1890 and entered the employ of the Central Vermont Railway Com- pany as a clerk and remained in such employment until the spring of 1898 when he enlisted in Com- pany B, First Vermont Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Span- ish-American War. Before the regiment was mustered into the United States service, May 16, 1898, he was appointed upon the regimental non-commissioned staff as principal musician and served in that capacity until mustered out with his regiment in the fall of that year. Upon the reorganization of the National Guard he was again appointed principal musician and held that position until November 26, 1901, when he was commis- sioned first lieutenant. On the 13th day of January, 1903, he was commissioned captain, commanding Company B, Vermont National Grard. which commission he now holds, ranking second in the line of captains. Under his command Company B has rapidly improved in personnel and knowledge of mili- tary science. A decided interest has been shown in marksmanship and in 1904 its team won the cen- tennial trophy in the state compe- tition. Captain Tillotson is him- self an excellent marksman, having qualified as "expert," and in the state competition in 1905 was awarded the medal of the National Rifle Association for the highest individual score in that competi- tion. The same year he was de- tailed upon the Vermont state team and took part with that organiza- tion in the national rifle competi- tion at Sea Girt, New Jersey.
LEE S. TILLOTSON.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Captain Tillotson is a charter member of Sergeant William H. Sullivan Camp, No. 7, United Spanish War Veterans.
At the inauguration of President Roosevelt at Washington in 1905 he was detailed and served as aide to the grand marshal.
On his return from the Spanish- American War, Captain Tillotson entered the office of Colonel Alfred A. Hall in St. Albans, read law with him and was admitted to the bar, October 31, 1902. He entered at once upon the practice of his profession and has already forged his way well towards the front by his ability, industry and fair deal- ing with clients. Both n the county and supreme courts he is recognized as an able advocate and thorough trier of causes.
On February 1, 1904, upon the resignation of Judge Thorne, he was appointed judge of the city court for the City of St. Albans by Governor Mccullough, a position he now holds under appointment by Governor Bell. As a judge his knowledge of the law is supple- mented by a judicial temperament and a sincere desire to dispense even handed justice. These quali- fications have won for him an en- viable reputation.
Judge Tillotson is a musician of recognized ability, and has always taken an active interest in musical matters. He is known as one of the best cornetists in the state, was at one time leader of the St. Albans Brigade Band and has been for sev- eral years the baritone in the choir of the First Congregational Church of St. Albans.
He became interested in Free Masonry early in life, and has held the highest offices in Franklin Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M., Cham- A-22
plain Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., and Lafayette Commandery, No. 3, K. T. In 1902 he was appointed grand lecturer of the grand lodge of Vermont; in 1904 he was elected grand junior warden, and in 1905 promoted to the office of grand se- nior warden. He is also a member of the committee on Masonic juris- prudence.
His diversified talents have won for him a host of friends, who be- lieve an eminent career is before him.
WHEELER, HON. H. ELMER, only son of Marshall S. and Hapa- lona (Ewins) Wheeler, was born in Berkshire, September 21, 1864. Josiah Wheeler, his great-grand- sire, came from Windsor County to Berkshire in 1806 and settled in the center of the town on the farm which has been owned by three gen- erations of his descendants to the present time. He died in 1854 and was succeeded by his youngest son, Lucius H., who, in 1822, married Mary Rowley of Enosburg, who bore him eight children. He was a lifelong and zealous Methodist and meetings were often held at his house.
His youngest son, Marshall S., remained on the farm and cared for his parents, and at his father's death in 1873 became the owner. He was an active business man and successful dealer in live stock. He died June 23, 1900, and his wife, November 17, 1905.
H. Elmer Wheeler completed his education at Vermont Methodist Seminary, from which he gradu- ated in 1887. He taught school several years and was principal of the Enosburg Falls High School. He studied law with Cross & Start, was admitted to the bar in 1891 and opened an office at St. Albans,
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SUCCESSFUL VERMONTERS.
where he soon enjoyed a remunera- tive practice. During the past few years his attention has been given largely to his extensive real estate interests. He still owns the ances- tral farm, also the lake shore farm of 370 acres and two other farms, in all 1,000 acres, which are con- ducted as dairy farms. While in
of an excellent business adminis- tration.
Mayor Wheeler possesses an emi- nently practical mind and a ready and comprehensive grasp of details that have made him a successful executive in public and private affairs.
Mayor Wheeler married in 1901,
H. ELMER WHEELER.
Berkshire, Mr. Wheeler served as superintendent of schools and mem- ber of the county school board. He has held various positions in St. Albans, served as alderman of Ward Four in 1904 was elected mayor of St. Albans in 1905 and re-elected in 1906 by an increased majority, an emphatic recognition
A. Ruth, daughter of Milo R. Fisher, and they are parents of an infant son, Robert E. Wheeler.
JOHNSON, ELMER, son of Da- rius T. and Emma L. (Chaplin) Johnson, was born at Troy, Feb- ruary 22, 1873. His grandfather, David Johnson, was a native of Ludlow and moved to Jay in 1831,
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
one of the early settlers. Darius T. Johnson removed to Troy, engaged in farming and the manufacture of starch.
Elmer Johnson received a good common school education and shared in the cares and labors of the paternal farm, which he has re- cently purchased. He graduated
Johnson to enter the legal profes- sion. He began the study by him- self soon after his marriage; later read in the office of Hon. Frederick W. Baldwin of Barton one year, then opened an insurance and col- lection office at Enosburg Falls in February, 1896, continued his studies and was admitted to the
ELMER JOHNSON.
from Eastman National Business College in 1892.
On his twenty-first birthday he married Sarah, daughter of Giles and Lucretia (Weed) Reynolds of Lowell. The young couple found a congenial employment in teaching school and also a stepping-stone for the cherished ambition of young
bar in October of that year. A Republican in politics, during his five years' residence and practice at Enosburg Falls he was elected to the positions of village trustee, grand juror and school committee.
He removed to St. Albans in 1901, where he has achieved excel- lent success as a trial lawyer and
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has a good and increasing practice. Mr. Johnson was elected a member of the board of listers in 1905.
Possessing an analytical mind, unusual energy and industry, Mr. Johnson is an interested and ear- nest student of historic and current literature, which extends and liber-
son) Austin, was born at Highgate, November 12, 1877. His father, a well-known lawyer of this city, was born at . Westford, Chittenden County, October 21, 1845, but the family removed to Fairfax seven years later. Mr. Austin graduated from the New Hampton Institute
WARREN R. AUSTIN.
alizes his professional usefulness. He was admitted to practice in the United States courts of Vermont in 1900.
Elmer and Sarah Reynolds John- son have one son, Philip, born in 1897.
AUSTIN, WARREN R., son of Chauncey G. and Anna M. (Robin-
of that town in 1867. He studied law with the late Hon. George A. Ballard and was admitted to the bar in April, 1870. Mr. Austin removed to Highgate soon after- wards, where he continued in suc- cessful practice 29 years.
Chauncey G. Austin married Anna M., daughter of Warren Rob-
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
inson, in 1874. Six children have been born of this union, three sons and three daughters, who died in childhood. The youngest son, Ros- well M., is a student at Phillips- Andover Academy, preparing for Yale College.
Chauncey G. Austin came to St. Albans in 1899 and established the present law firm. He is a Repub- lican in politics and a member of Lafayette Commandery.
Warren Robinson Austin was graduated from Brigham Academy of Bakersfield in the class of 1895, and from the University of Ver- mont in 1899 with the degree of Ph. B. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1902, and is a mem- ber of the firm of C. G. Austin & Sons.
Mr. Austin is the Franklin County member of the state Repub- lican League. In September, 1904, he was nominated without opposi- tion for the office of state's attor- ney, to which he was elected by an unparalleled majority, and which he has filled with marked efficiency.
Warren R. Austin married Mil- dred M. Lucas, June 26, 1901, and they have a son, Warren R. Austin, Jr., born October 10, 1902.
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