Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-03-25
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on farms in New England are much In the
habit of contrasting unfavorably the profits
of the farm with those of the trades ana
professions and many New England far
mers contrast as unfavorably their advan-
tages with those of the tillers of the prairies
of the West They dwell on the rough sur
face and hard soil of their farms, and the
meagre returns which sometimes so poorly
reward their tolls and risks and invest
ments, without duly considering the adj
vantages they enjoy of proximity to mar
ket, variety of products, good society,
ealthy climate, &c. Though here in Yer
mont we are more remote from cities and
manufacturing towns, than the farmers in
some OF our sister States, it is believed that
the industry and self-denial submitted to
by the pioneer settler at the West, would
be rewarded as richly here as there. I
think there is danger of indulging these
discontinued feelings till we come to lose
faith in the fact that here, as elsewhere, in
dustry, economy and good name are the
best capital, the surest means of success;
and that labor, when judiciously applied to
farming, is sure of an ample reward,-as
sure and as ample as when applied to the
speculative and distributative departments
of trade, in which men hope to avoid the
edict that "by the sweat of thy face shalt
thou eat bread"
As an example of the reward which the
soil of Vermont offers to the exercise of
persistent industry, applied and guided by
intelligence and an honest and faithful pur-
pose, I will give you brief history of one
of your subscribers, Mr.. JOHN QuINLAN
OF this town.
He was born in Tipperary county, Ire
land. His father, several of his uncles and
other near relatives were either stewards or
herdsmen for large landed proprietors,
and hence he was early in life familarized
with stock breeding and stock dealing,
while his moral habits were influenced by
the teachings of Father Matthew, and the
dir ection of his mind by the eloquence of
Daniel O'Connell, to whom he often listen
ed.
Coming 10 America at the age of twenty,
with scarce shilling in his pocket, his
good sense and mother wit soon won for
him the confidence of men who were able
and willing to give good word, which is all
anybody ever gave him; though see / am
about to perpetrate an Irish Bull, since
even that was never given, as he most en-
phatically earned it by his iaithfulness and
punctuality in all the engagements of his
early life.
Among his first homes about the time of
his marriage, which was soon after his ma
jority, was the family of III. s. Morse, of
Shelburn, farmer of rare taste and ener-
gy, we'll known as the President of the
Vermont State Agricultural Society,-with
whom he spent several years. He was
next employed by Hon. Ezra Mech, one
of the largest landowners and wealthiest
farmers in the Champlain Valley. Here
he remained, either for wages or as ten
ant, until after he had accumulated not on
ly snug little sum of money, but house
full of promising boys, when he made a
purchase of a small piece of nd,-less
than fifty acres and commenced to max o
himself home. Mr.. Mech continued to
employ him to make large purchases of
live stock for his broad pastures, and with
him he remained as tenant, retaining his
first purchase of real estate, until he had an
opportunity TO secure one of the best graz
ing tracts in the neigborhood, when his
first purchase was sold.
w ltl All lHNdllu WIG ne nONtu Oh W his
new farm, giving shelter to an older broth
er and family who had followed him TO
America. But his prospects were soon
darkened by the destruction of his build
ings by fire, which originated from a pail
of ashes set in an outbuilding This broth
or lost his life in this fire, in his daring at
tempt to stay its progress, and his sister, at
the peril of her own life, rescued three lit
tie children, so badly burned that only one
of them survived, which was adopted into
the family of the bereaved uncle.
Notwithstanding the outlay necessary to
provide a shelter for large family, Mr..
Quinlan was not disheartened, but repaired
the wastes Of the fire as we'll as he could,
and went forward with the cultivation of
his land. Soon afterwards, as he raised
stock OF his own, he took II to Cambridge
market and gradually added to his other
business that of drover, in which he OF
course met with the sharp competition OF
those who were already established In the
business, so far at least as he purchased OF
others. But here, as in the management OF
his farm, his good judgment. indefatigable
induitry, fair dealing and honesty OF pur-
pose secured the respect of his associates al
homo, on the road, and at market.
Without detailing more minutely his
business history, we will merely add that
he now owns in "fee simple" one thousand
acres of Champlain Valley soil, embracing
meadow, pasture, and woodland, and thai
his homo is in the midst of one of the mos
prosperous and enterprising communities
In Vermont, and one which appreciates ant
honors him as citizen and neighbor,-ar
appreciation and honor that has been man
ifested by entrusting him with public bust
No IS and official duties.
Though not sympathizing with the party