Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-03-17
George +. Edmunds.

The Springfield Republican publishes the
following readably told sketch of the life
of our distinguished senator;
George f. Edmunds was born February
/, 1928, in the farming and dairy town Of
Richmond, near Burlington, VIA place
largely settled by Massachusetts and
Berkshire people, Il well.ordered orthodox
community. Mr.. Edmunds, Sr., bearing
the Biblical name OF Ebenezer, came. we
believe. from Hancock, Mass, and his
wife, Naomi Briggs, was Of the good
South Adams and Berkshire Briggs stock,
sister of William p. Briggs, judge of
probate Of Richmond. and cousin of
George n. Briggs, the plain-mannered
but able and honest Massachusetts chief
magistrate of blessed memory. Mr.. Ed
munds was small farmer. esteemed by
his neighbors, Puritanic to the extent of
frowning upon tea us an Objectionable
stimulant, but gifted with the keen intui-
tive insight into character which dstin-
guishes his son. Mrs. Edmunds, with
Quaker blood in her veins, was II godly
woman. sharing and transmitting that in
tellect which was the rich heritage of her
family. The uncle, Judge Briggs, was
famous in the town and region rs bril-
liant conversationalista and IL man Of parts.
George was an active, thorough boy, who
learned his lessons with what seemed
marvellous rapidity, aud then recitcd the
IDEAS in his own language. The family
were well enough to do, SO that he did
little steady work on the farm, but attend
ed the schools of the village, enjoyed some
private instruction, and entered early upon
his life work. There WAS not II lazy
hair in his head" says school mate" he
was fond of hunting and fishing, enjoyed
the social gatherings of the village, and
was leading debater in the lyceum.'
No youthful folly or premeditated
wrong stained the early career of young
Edmunds or marred the cordial manliness
of his daily life. He began reading law
ut Burlington, but soon returned to Rich
mond opened an Office and entered into
partnership with his brother in-law, A B.
Maynard, now Il leading Detroit (Mich.)
lawyer. There was much lawing" in
Richmond in those days, lawyers were
few in the towns about, and the new firm
got the lions share of business. Maynard
possessed more than ordinary ability, the
justices were not equipped with law libra
ries, and it was considerably II matter OF
arguing the court into the desired acrion,
sometimes irrespective of the statutes
properly governing the case. Maynard
and Edmunds made Il strong team. for
says one familiar with that time, "what
Maynard didn't think of Edmunds would,
and they were sure to win." Even then
NJ, Ely,,npIc racnnni1aI
read lawyer. There was one trait in the
coming senator's character which is worth
returning to. He was fond Of society,
and always had u pleasant word for every
body; but he was singularly mature in his
friendships. lie called with enjoyment
upon the middle-aged and old ladies of the
town, and was studiously regardful of
gray hairs, insomuch that the fact is TO this
day rehearsed in the town of his boyhood
" Uncle" " Aunt" or Grandmother I"
was applied by him to many outside his
own kindred. In brief. young Edmunds
lived so rs to earn the lasting respect of
the people by his genuine manners, simple
habits and honest work which set off and
developed uncommon powers of intellect
Never during all the years since the young
lawyer left the town for his larger career
has interest in his progress tagged whit
He is Rchmond's "favorite son always
The great senator goes back hetimes to
fish in the familiar trout streams with
sctoolmates who have grown gray headed,
welcomes the villagers as heartily in
Washington as he meets them at home.
and never fails during any visit to call on
" Aunt PHebe" and other venerable and
loyal friends and cronies. Mr.. Edmunds
has done much for his birthplace. " |
want to make noise in Richmond" said
he when presenting the bell which hang.
on the new academy building.
Mr.. Edmunds early took prominent
stand in his profession, Nature endowed