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From: "Pauline Manosh" <>
Subject: [VT-L] Montpelier, Vermont Washington County "Homer Wallace Heaton"
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2000 21:31:05 -0500


Elaine,
>From Hemenway's Vermont Historical Gazetteer
Montpelier, Vermont Washington County
pg. 543 Vol. 4
Homer Wallace Eaton a member of the Washington County Bar, and now, and
since 1832, a resident of Montpelier, was born in the adjoining town of
Berlin, Aug. 25, 1811. his parents were Dr. Gershom Heaton and Polly
Wallace, daughter of Matthew Wallace, one of the early settlers of Berlin.
Mr. Heaton's educational advantages were the common school, one year at the
St. Lawrence Academy of Potsdam, N.Y; and two years at the Washington County
Grammar School at Montpelier, of which J. C. Southmayd was the excellent
principal.
In Aug. 1832, Mr. Heaton commenced the study of the law with Col. Jonathan
P. Miller and Nicholas Baylies, jr; of Montpelier, and was admitted to the
bar of the Washington County Court, at the Nov. Term, 1835, when he
commenced practice in company with Colonel Miller retired. In Sept. 1839,
Mr. Heaton and Charles Reed entered into partnership for the practice of the
law, as Heaton & Reed, which was continued until the death of Mr. Reed, Mar.
7, 1873.
Mr. Heaton was the treasurer of the Vt. Mutual Fire Insurance Company for 2
years-1837 and 1838; and was state's attorney for Washington County 4
years--was elected by the Legislature at the October sessions, 1839 and
1841, and the annual Sept. elections in 1860 and 1861. Upon the retirement
of Joshua Y. Vail, a long time county clerk, the office was tendered Mr.
Heaton by Judge Isaac F. Redfield and the county Judges, which was declined.
July 1, 1841, Mr. Heaton married Miss Harriet Stearns, daughter of John
Stearns, of Boston, Mass. She died April 26, 1859, at the age of 42 years.
Of this marriage three sons are now living. Charles H; James S; and Homer W.
Mr. Heaton was the representative of the original town of Montpelier in the
Legislature, at the October session, 1848, when the town was divided, and
the towns of Montpelier and East Montpelier created. At that session Mr.
Heaton was the candidate of the Democratic party for Speaker' there being
three parties--the Whig, Democratic and Free Soil--and neither in a
majority; there resulted a dead lock, which continued through four days
session, when the Whig candidate was elected on the 46th ballot.
At this session the National Life Ins. Co. was chartered. The bill for that
purpose being referred to a select committee of three members--Mr. Heaton
being one--was reported favorably and passed. Mr. Heaton was one of the
directors of this company and a member of its finance committee for several
years. He, at the same session, introduced a bill for the incorporation of
the Vermont Bank, which was passed, and Mr. Heaton was one of its directors
during its existence as a State Bank, and for 2 years its president.
In politics, he has always been a Democrat, having cast his first
presidential vote for Andrew Jackson at his second election.
Mr. Heaton was the Democratic candidate for governor at the annual election
in 1869, and the first biennial election in 1870. He was the Democratic
candidate for member of Congress from the first District at the elections in
1872 and 1874. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at
Baltimore in 1872, when Horace Greeley was nominated for President. He has
also been a candidate of his party for Presidential Elector.
(pg. 603)
Moretown, Vermont
Longevity of Moretown:
Horace Heaton 81
Longevity of Moretown Persons deceased in town 70 years of age and over--
Clarissa Heaton 96.
(pg. 871)
Waterbury, Vermont
Polly

Longevity:
Mr. Heaton, 96
Polly

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