USA > Vermont > The Lake Champlain and Lake George valleys, Vol. III > Part 5
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29, 1801, died in Ticonderoga, March 14, 1872. The first brick house in New England, the celebrated Weeks house, was built by one of her ancestors.
Henry Gordon Burleigh, son of Gordon and Elizabeth Pickering (Weeks) Burleigh and member of his family in the seventh American generation, was born in Canaan, New Hampshire, on June 2, 1832, and died at Whitehall, New York, in August, 1900. He was educated in the public schools of Con- cord, New Hampshire, where he spent the greater part of his early boyhood. and at the age of fourteen came to Ticonderoga, New York. As a young man he became interested in freight transport and in 1866 established the head- quarters of his company at Whitehall, which offered greater advantages for his purposes. The business grew very rapidly, extending from Quebec and Ontario southward to New York City and Philadelphia and requiring at its peak from 100 to 150 canal boats and steamers to handle the volume of freight involved. With its development, Mr. Burleigh also expanded his interests in other directions. He became the owner of iron mines on Lake Champlain, from which he shipped large quantities of ore. He was president of the old National Bank at Whitehall and the First National Bank of Ticonderoga; a director of the Commercial Insurance Company of Albany, the Bay State Furnace Company of Port Henry, and the Lake Champlain and Port Henry Towing companies. He handled large amounts of Canadian lumber, which he carried to New York and brought back coal from Pennsylvania in return. His business was one of the largest in the field of transportation in the coun- try, requiring the services of a host of employees. His efforts and acumen won him a substantial fortune and brought him wide influence. He was not only a leading citizen of Northern New York, but was prominent in national affairs and particularly in councils of the Republican party, of which he was an early member. He was secretary of the first Republican convention held in Northern New York ; was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1884, when Blaine was nominated for the Presidency, and at the request of President Arthur offered the motion to make Blaine's nomination unanimous. He was also a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1888 and 1892 and for more than thirty years was recognized as one of the most pow- erful Republican leaders of up-State New York. His own career in public life was varied. In 1861 he was elected supervisor of the town of Ticon- deroga and offered valuable assistance to his country during the difficult period of the Civil War, through which he served, by his activities in raising troops for the army. Volunteers always promptly filled the town's quota and no drafts were ever made. After he removed to Washington County, he served in the State Assembly in 1876, when Samuel J. Tilden was Governor, and was chairman during that session of the committee on canals. Subsequently, in 1883, he was elected to the Forty-eighth Congress of the United States, and
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in 1885 was reelected to the Forty-ninth Congress, representing a district consisting of Washington and Rensselaer counties. In public office he en- hanced his reputation for useful citizenship and reënforced the regard in which he was held. He married, in 1869, Jennie E. Richards of Ticonderoga, who died in 1899. They became the parents of three children: I. Henry Gordon, born in August, 1872, died on November 30, 1903. 2. Charles Rich- ards, born October 10, 1877, died April 12, 1905. 3. James Weeks, born October 3, 1881.
Henry Gordon Burleigh, above-mentioned son of the Hon. Henry Gordon Burleigh, was born in Whitehall and received his education in local public schools. Associated at first with his father's interests, he became a prominent business man in his own right and for a period of years was president of the Ticonderoga Electric Light and Power Company, which benefitted largely through his leadership in its early years. The relatively early termination of his career cut short the larger promise of his life. Mr. Burleigh was a member of the Board of Education at Ticonderoga and was otherwise influential in affairs of the town. He was an active Mason, being a member in this order of various higher bodies, including the Knights Templar and the Shrine, and was affiliated with the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. An Episcopalian, he was a leading layman of his church and a member of the vestry at Ticon- deroga. He married, on June 17, 1896, Susie Tisdale Sanborn, of Plattsburg, New York, daughter of Henry Clay Sanborn, a native of Plattsburg, and Colonette D. (Holcomb) Sanborn, who was born at Whitehall, New York. She was a granddaughter of John Hibbard Sanborn, born in New Hampshire, died in 1895 at Plattsburg at the age of eighty-six, who served in the Civil War as quartermaster and was later a lawyer and farmer at Plattsburg. Henry Gordon and Susie Tisdale (Sanborn) Burleigh became the parents of three children : I. Lucretia Morse, born at Whitehall, April 2, 1897. 2. Mildred Virginia, born at Ticonderoga, April 20, 1900. 3. Henry Gordon, of this record.
Henry Gordon Burleigh, third of his family to bear this name in succes- sive generations, was educated in Ticonderoga public schools, including the high school, at Blair Academy and Albany Business College. He has devoted his entire career to business, entering the service of the Ticonderoga Electric Light and Power Company with which his father was associated at the turn of the century. In this organization he has assumed important executive responsibilities as he demonstrated his capacity, and in his present office of manager is in charge of operations. He is thoroughly qualified for his duties and has met them with efficiency and success.
Mr. Burleigh is affiliated with Mount Defiance Lodge, No. 794, Free and Accepted Masons, at Ticonderoga, and with the Benevolent and Protective
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Order of Elks, Lodge No. 1494. He has never entered public life, but has followed the course of public affairs with interest in his community and has lent a helping hand wherever needed to attain desirable civic goals. In politics he follows the tradition of his family as a member of the Republican party.
On February 13, 1928, Mr. Burleigh married Evelyn Cunningham, daugh- ter of Thomas Francis and Mary (O'Hearn) Cunningham. They are the parents of five children : 1. Henry Gordon, born March 4, 1930. 2. Mildred Virginia, born August 17, 1931. 3. Mary, born May 8, 1933. 4. Thomas Francis, born October 2, 1934. 5. Anne Evelyn, born October 21, 1936.
NELSON E. DE GROAT-Secretary and treasurer of the Essex County Republican Company, Incorporated, publishers of the "Essex County Republican" and "Essex County News," weekly newspapers published at Keeseville, Nelson E. De Groat of Keeseville is one of the deans of the Fourth Estate in the Lake Champlain area, having been connected with the news- paper and printing business for more than half a century.
Nelson E. De Groat was born at Waterford, Saratoga County, July 27, 1863, son of Henry V. and Margaret (Enos) De Groat. Henry V. De Groat, who was a native of New York State, established himself in the foundry busi- ness as a young man and continued in the calling until the time of his death, being very active during the Civil War period and working on some of the castings which were used in the construction of the United States Navy's first ironclad, the historic "Monitor." Margaret ( Enos) De Groat, his wife, who is also deceased, was a native of Albany.
After passing through the public schools of Waterford, Saratoga County, Nelson E. De Groat attended Fulsom's Business College and then found his first regular employment as a bookkeeper in a commission house. After three years in this work, Mr. De Groat in 1882 entered the newspaper busi- ness by serving his apprenticeship in the composing room of the, "Water- ford Advertiser," a weekly newspaper. Leaving the "Advertiser" in 1885, Mr. De Groat moved to Albany where he was employed first by the J. B. Lyons Company on the State printing, and then by the Weed Parson Com- pany, printers, who worked on printing contracts for the State of New York. Continuing in Albany until 1886, Mr. De Groat spent the following two years on the staff of the "Port Henry Herald" and then, in 1889, became associated with the "Essex County Republican" in Keeseville. In 1907. almost twenty years after he joined the "Republican" staff, Mr. De Groat and George W. Harper purchased the paper and continued as proprietors until 1916, when Mr. De Groat took over Mr. Harper's holdings. The "Essex County Repub- lican" was founded in 1839 by Wendell Lansing and is, today, the oldest
James m. Philips
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newspaper in Essex County and one of the oldest papers in northern New York State.
A member of the Republican party, Mr. De Groat has given generously of his time to the public service, holding office for a term as president of the village board, two terms as village treasurer and was town clerk of Chesterfield as well. A member of Ausable River Lodge, No. 149, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Mr. De Groat, who attends the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Keeseville, is devoted to outdoor sports, particularly to the twin pastimes of hunting and fishing.
Nelson E. De Groat married, in 1887, Mary E. Douglas, a native of Waterford, who is deceased. Mr. De Groat is the father of two children: I. Harry Everett. 2. Ethel, who is deceased.
Harry Everett De Groat, who was born at Keeseville, May 13, 1905, passed through the grammar schools of his native town and graduated from the Keeseville High School. After completing his education, Harry Everett De Groat joined the staff of the "Essex County Republican" and, after working through the various departments of the newspaper, has since 1938, been the president of the "Republican" publishing corporation. A member of the Republican party, Harry Everett De Groat has served two years as town clerk of Chesterfield and supports his community by membership in the Keeseville Chamber of Commerce and the Keeseville Kiwanis Club. A member of Ausable River Lodge, No. 149, Free and Accepted Masons, Mr. De Groat, who is Past Master of the lodge, also belongs to the local Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He attends the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Keeseville and, like his father, is devoted to outdoor sports, particularly hunting and fishing.
Harry Everett De Groat married, in 1929, Fracine Mussen, who is a native of Keeseville. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Everett De Groat are the parents of two children: I. Mary Elizabeth. 2. Robert Everett.
JAMES McPHILLIPS, senior member of the law firm of McPhillips, Fitzgerald & McCarthy, was born in the town of Chester, Warren County, on March 14, 1872, the son of Patrick and Honora (Hill) McPhillips. Both his parents were born in Ireland, but lived the greater part of their lives in Warren County.
His early education was received in the district schools of his native county, and at Sherman Collegiate Institute, Moriah, Essex County. He pursued his legal studies at the Albany Law School, where in 1896 he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws. In 1898 he was admitted to practice as an attorney and counsellor at law.
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Between 1898 and 1911 he practiced his profession in the village of Water- ford, Saratoga County, and for nine years of that period he was attorney for that village. In 1911 he took up his residence in the city of Glens Falls, and entered upon the practice of his profession, associated with C. E. Fitzgerald, one of his present partners. In 1930 he joined in the establishment of his present law firm, McPhillips, Fitzgerald & McCarthy.
A Democrat in politics, Governor Alfred E. Smith, in 1920, appointed him a Justice of the Supreme Court for the Fourth Judicial District, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice George R. Salisbury, and he served the balance of said term, declined a renomination, and was succeeded by the late Justice Edward M. Angell.
He is a member and former president of the Warren County Bar Asso- ciation, a member and vice-president of the New York State Bar Association, and a member of the American Bar Association.
For practically its entire period of existence, he was general counsel for the Hudson Valley Railway Company. He is also local counsel for the Dela- ware and Hudson Railroad Corporation, International Paper Company, and various business and insurance corporations. In local business affairs, he is president of the Glens Falls Hotel Corporation and Glens Falls Realty, Inc., vice-president and treasurer of Empire Real Estate and Theatre Company, and secretary of Hudson Transportation Company, Inc., Warren Autos, Inc., John Liddle Company, Inc., Glens Falls Machine Works, and Peoples Gas and Oil Company. He is also a former president of the Glens Falls Trust Com- pany. In local civic affairs, he has served as president of the Glens Falls Hospital, and at the present time is a director of the Glens Falls Community Chest, and the Father Curtin Charitable and Educational Fund, and a member of the Glens Falls Chamber of Commerce. Judge McPhillips is also a member of St. Mary's Church ; Glens Falls Council, Knights of Columbus ; Glens Falls Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; and the Glens Falls Country Club.
In 1907 he married Elizabeth Cleary of Kingston, New York.
He finds recreation from his professional duties and business responsi- bilities by engaging in his hobby of farming.
CLARK E. BRIGHAM-Vice-president of the Merchants' National Bank and treasurer and trust officer of the Farmers Trust Company, Clark E. Brigham, of Burlington, is not only one of the outstanding bankers of Vermont State but also a leading citizen of his community, being a member and officer of various civic, philanthropic and fraternal organizations.
Clark E. Brigham was born at Colchester, Chittenden County, September 7, 1891. son of Edison C. and Ida A. (Tubbs) Brigham. Edison C. Brigham,
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a native of Essex, Chittenden County, established himself in life as a farmer, a calling which he followed for many years, being active at the time of his death. Ida A. (Tubbs) Brigham, his wife, was a native of Winooski, Chit- tenden County.
After attending the public schools in the town of Winooski, Clark E. Brig- ham attended the Burlington Business College at Burlington and then found employment as a collection clerk with the Merchants National Bank, an insti- tution with which he has remained associated through the present time, be- coming assistant cashier in 1925 and treasurer and trust officer of the Farmers Trust Company in 1929 as well as becoming the vice-president and a director of the Merchants' National Bank the same year. Supporting his profession by membership in the Vermont Banker's Association, an organization which he serves as secretary, Mr. Brigham is also interested in the political concerns of his community and has devoted himself generously to public service, being a member of the Board of Aldermen of Burlington. Interested also in the prosperity and welfare of Burlington, Mr. Brigham is a member and past president of the Burlington Rotary Club, treasurer of the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce, and treasurer of the Vermont Tuberculosis Associa- tion. A member of the Masonic Fraternity, including the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Mr. Brigham, who belongs to the First Con- gregational Church, is devoted to all outdoor sports as a means of recreation from his business responsibilities and public duties, with the building of camps a particular interest.
Clark E. Brigham married, in 1917, Ethel H. Coburn, a native of Bel- videre, Vermont, daughter of Henry W. and Alberta (Shattuck) Coburn. Mr. and Mrs. Brigham are the parents of four children : 1. Lyman H., who is a graduate of Green Mountain Junior College, class of 1939. 2. Elizabeth E. 3. Louis E. 4. Nancy M.
K. PAUL FENNELL-Chittenden County State Attorney, K. Paul Fennell, is not only one of the leaders of the Democratic party in the Green Mountain State but is also an outstanding citizen and member of the legal profession in his home county of Chittenden and his home county of Burling- ton, where he practiced his profession prior to taking State office.
K. Paul Fennell was born at Burlington, Vermont, July 17, 1906, son of Luther W. and Loretta A. (Marengo) Fennell. Luther W. Fennell, who makes his home at Burlington, was formerly associated with the United States Treasury Department in the Customs Service. Loretta A. (Marengo) Fen- nell, his wife, is also a resident of Burlington, her native town.
After passing through the schools of Burlington and attending St. Michael's College for two years, K. Paul Fennell went to Georgetown Uni-
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versity, Washington, District of Columbia, and then, selecting the legal pro- fession for his career, entered the Law School of Georgetown University, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Laws as a member of the class of 1930. Admitted to the Vermont State bar in October of 1931, Mr. Fennell established himself in the practice of his profession in Burlington in associa- tion with M. G. Leary. This association endured until 1935 when, seeking public office for the first time, K. Paul Fennell was elected to the position of State Attorney, an office which he has retained through the present time, becoming one of the leaders of the Democratic party. Supporting his pro- fession through membership in the Vermont State Bar Association and the American Bar Association, Mr. Fennell is a member of the Cathedral Church of Burlington. Devoted to golf as a means of recreation from his profes- sional responsibilities and public duties, Mr. Fennell is also devoted to fishing in the lakes and streams of his native State.
K. Paul Fennell married, in 1930, Margaret Hoover, of Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia. Mr. and Mrs. Fennell are the parents of three children : I. Elizabeth A. 2. Joan A. 3. K. Paul, Jr.
J. LINDLEY HALL-With a record of more than forty years as general agent for the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company at Bur- lington, and a prominent figure in political and civic affairs, J. Lindley Hall is numbered among the leading and most progressive citizens of this locality.
Mr. Hall was born near Burlington, April 28, 1866 the son of Joseph and Mary (Morrison) Hall, both deceased. Joseph Hall, a native of Canada, came to the United States early in life, remaining in this section until his death. Mary (Morrison) Hall died January 28, 1937.
J. Lindley Hall received his early education in the Burlington public schools, and then enrolled at the University of Vermont, where he remained for two years. He then became shipping clerk for Spaulding and Kimbals in Burlington, and continued in this capacity for approximately ten years. On February 1, 1897, he became general agent for the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, in which post he has continued uninterruptedly to the present day. He is also the oldest trustee of the Burlington Savings Bank, and in addition he is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Home for Aged Women, Elizabeth Lund Home and the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation.
He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he has served as a trustee for many years, and in political allegiance, he is a staunch supporter of the Republican party, having served two terms as a member of the City Board of Aldermen, and a similar period as water com- missioner. He is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, Royal Arch
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Chapter of Masons, Knights Templar Commandery and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in addition he holds membership in the Ethan Allen Club and the Rotary Club.
He was married in 1892 to Cora Child of Washington, District of Colum- bia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Child. Hiram Child, a veteran of the Civil War, died soon after his departure from military service. Mr. and Mrs. Hall became the parents of four children: I. Clara E., married John F. Fuller of North Lancaster, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of the following children: i. John. ii. William. iii. Richard. iv. David. v. Nancy. vi. Joseph. vii. Mark Fuller. 2. Helen M., married John A. Hitchcock, and to this union was born a daughter, Helen Hitchcock. Helen M. (Hall) Hitchcock died in November, 1921. 3. David B., married Helen French, and they have two sons, David and Richard Hall. 4. William M., a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, now a member of the faculty of that institution, married Sallie Redfern, and they are the parents of three chil- dren : i. Peter. ii. Joseph. iii Stephen.
OLNEY W. HILL-As Vermont manager for the Union Central Life Insurance Company and a prominent figure in the social, civic and busi- ness affairs of the city of Burlington, Olney W. Hill has come to occupy a place in this community comparable with that of his distinguished father, who for a number of years has been one of the most outstanding and able finan- ciers in this State.
Mr. Hill was born in Burlington, September 9, 1904, the son of Arthur W. and Mary (Phelps) Hill, both natives of Vermont, the former from his son's birthplace and the latter, from Orwell. His mother is now deceased. The elder Hill, who was born April 24, 1871, received a general education in the public schools of Burlington and directly after finishing his studies began his banking career as a clerk with the Merchants National Bank. During his long and distinguished career with this institution, now known as the Mer- chants National Bank and Farmers Trust Company, he has held every office except that of treasurer. Since 1929 he has served as president and at present is chairman of the board of directors, as well as president of the Merchants National Bank, the oldest commercial banking house in the city. He is active socially, belonging to the Ethan Allen Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Washington Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of Burlington. In religion he worships at the Episcopal Church. A sports- man throughout his life his main hobbies are devoted to saddle horses, golf and bowling.
Arthur W. Hill married (first), in 1902, Mary Phelps, who died in 1917. He married (second), in 1919, Beulah Scribner, of Johnson. He is the
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father of four children: 1. Olney W., whose name heads this review and of whom further. 2. Marjorie, who was graduated from the Posse-Nessen School of Physical Education, in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1928. 3. Pliny. 4. Shirley.
Like his father, Olney W. Hill received a general education in the public schools of Burlington, completed this part of his studies at the Phillips Exeter Academy, which he attended for two years, and then matriculated at the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1926. During his college career he was one of the most popular and prominent figures on the Vermont campus. He was acting captain of the varsity football team, a member of the winter sports team and a member and captain of the University track team, on which he made a record hammer throw which still stands.
After leaving college Mr. Hill became associated with the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company at East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for which he worked seven months. At the end of this period he became a cadet engineer for the Pennsylvania-Ohio Power and Light Company and at the same time worked for the Pennsylvania Power Company. He was made assistant superintendent of sub-stations for these organizations and later be- came supervisor of operators for both, continuing in this capacity until 1931, when he returned to Burlington to establish himself as a heating engineer. He continued in this business for six months and then joined the Vermont Maple Orchards Company as foreman of their processing plant. A year and a half later, in January, 1934, he formed his present association with the Union Central Life Insurance Company, serving as a special agent for the firm until 1935, when he was appointed manager for the State of Vermont with headquarters in Burlington. In his business and professional affiliations he is a member and former president of the Burlington Life Underwriters Association, in which he is also a director, and belongs to the National Life Underwriters Association and the Vermont State Association of Life Under- writers.
Socially he is a member and former secretary of the Burlington Lions Club, belongs to the Ethan Allen Club and fraternizes with Lodge, No. 3, of the Free and Accepted Masons. As a college undergraduate he belonged to the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, the Gold Key Society, the Key and Serpent Society and the Bolder Society. He is a Republican in politics and since 1937 he has been a member of the Burlington Board of Aldermen. In his religious convictions he worships at the Episcopal Church. His hobbies are devoted to sporting activities of all sorts, particularly golf, bowling, skiing and skating.
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