Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-08-06
THE LATE HON. A. l.. MINER.


An Honorable Record One of Nermont's
Best known Citizens.
The death of the Hon \. l.. Miner of
Manchester removes not only one of the
best known citizens or Vermont but also
one of the most useful men of the COM
monwealth, in varied relations as a citi-
zen, lawyer and legislator. He was de
scendant of one of the prominent ftmi-
lies emigrating from Connecticut to Yer
mont in the early period of the States
! history. Gideon Miner removed from
Woodstock, Connecticut, to Rutland in
l7i9, and from Rutland to Middletown in
liN2. He was the pioneer in building
mills, and a soldier in the French war.
His wife was a noble type of the pioneer
mothers who placed the stamp of their
/ high characteristics upon the later genera
tions of the people of Vermont Mr. Miner
and his wife both died in lSOS, at the are
! of 50 years.
The fourth son of Gideon Miner was
Gideon Miner, Jr. He was born in Wood
bury, Conn, and was II years Old when
the family removed to AIiddetown. VT.
lie married Rachael Dawson in 1872 and
70 them II children We're born Mr.
Miner was IN many respects remarkable
man. rev men possess such a memory.
He was Il great lover of music and was
leader of Il church choir for over 30 years
up to the third sabbath preceding his
death. lie was Il deaSOn OF the COngre-
gauonal church in Middletown. He re
moved to OHIO in 1854 and died in Ohio in
lNj4 at the age of -.
Amman Lewis Miner, the subject of this
sketch, WAS the second son of Gideon
Miner He was born in MiddletoWn in
lNG. lie worked upon Il farm until he
was IS years OF age, when he fitted for
college at CaStetOn Seminary, but abau-
d0hed his purpose to acquire a college
education and began the study of law
with Hon. Rollin c. Mallary ut Poultney :;
completed his studies with Rodney G.
/ Royce at Rutland and was admitted to
the Rutland county bar in 1892, beginning
/ practice at Walliugford. In 1892 he re
moved to Manchester, where he has since
/ resided He married for his wife Caro-
line Beaman, relative of the late Rev
DR. y. >. :. Beaman. the distinguished
clergyman Of Troy, y. Y, and to them
We're born five children. His second wife
was Miss susan Roberts OF Manchester, IA
relative OF the widow of Gen. II. II
/ Baxter She survives him, together with
/ two sons. and one son and two daughters
10y his former marriage His Youngest
son, George, Is on the stan of the New
York Hcruld.
The life OF Mr.. Miner was busy one
IlC W 90 cISIl years registrar OF probate
Tor the district of Manchester two wears
clerk OF the house of the general assem-
ply three years Judge of probate five
years state ; attorney state senator one
year TWO years member of Congress
/ Io1" d ana sixteen years Il member of
the Legislature from Manchester-all this
III aiultlOu TO a large business in his pro
lesslon An interesting incident occurred
IN his election to Congress. The nominal
ing convention was held at Manchester.
There were two candidates presented-A.
I. Lyman and Mr., Miner. a committee
was appointed from the several counties
10 present Il candidate. After prolonged
contest, the committee presented Mr.
Lyman, nut the convention Overruled the
dCtloil OF tne committee, nominated Mr..
Miner, and Immediately adjourned The
TWO contestants took the stump spoke
IN the principal towns of the congress
slOnal district, which was then composed
: OF bennington, Rutland and Wmdhau
counties. There We're four candidates il
the Held IA l.. Miner, A. =. Lyman tn,
principal contestants, Daniel Roberts
free soller and Merritt Clarke. Demo
, crat. An attempt was made for an amalga
nation OF the friends of Mr.. Roberts aE(
Mr, Clark, or for their withdrawal il
favor OF Hon. Daniel Kellogg of Wind
= ham county, which did not prove success
= tul, and Mr.. Miner was elected by small
( plurality.
al, . 'i'' -hih'l was IL prominent UAule IL
v ermOnt politics for half century II
! had few enemies and hut little bitterness
a IN public life, save that brought out i
:. the congressional contest referred to. II
= was an excellent, public. spirited citize
a ana Il true hearted man, who never as
- sulheu greatness or superiority in an
" any position. He had remarkably IT
tentlve memory which was very charaC
terlstlc of his family. 1t enabled him I
= draw from an almost ineXhanstible fun
- OF personal, political and profession,
e "reminiscences and anecdotes. He was e
k teemed by all who knew him, and espe
" !aily by the people of his native town, an
4 IN the community in which he had resi-,
ri ed Tor more than half century VIII
NOT so great lawyer as many of his col
telhpoiarles, he was "A safe and hOnorab
counsellor and had good standing in h
profession. HIS was II useful and homo
Al able life, and one which leaves markt
ID record IN the community and State.