Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1896-05-01
Hon. John willard Hart-hprn.


OF Colburn and Elizabeth ,Fayl Harris
horn, was boru IN LuncnbuTs' W.
October l 1915. and died at his residence
in that town April -, 1896. Tie mar
ried November 10. 1910, Ann smith,
daughter of Chester and Betsy tiuieh-
ins Smith oi Lunenburg, and sister oi
lanes Sumner and Frank Smith now ui
lancaster Mrs. HartshOru dIed Mar1h
10, 1883, in the faith OF her fathers rs
member of the Congregational church
The children were Hon. Eden !. of En-
metsburg. Iowa; Elizabeth, (Mrs. Il. H.
Emerson. deceased; Cora, (Nlrs. I'D
ward LOWELL of Lewiston, Me; ana
Henry c., whose wife has devotedly ana
patiently cared for the judge in his last
years. Judge Hartshorn was the sew
enth son OF twelve, nearly all OF whom
liv,d to a good old age. The brothers
who lived to manhood were Eden, Ebcr,
Henry, Levi, Alanson, Charles, John w,
William H., Hubbard and George N.
! At the public schools in Lunenburg the
boy John ". quickly acquired a limited /
but lively and practical education which, .
with quick impulSive enterprise, he at
once put to use With rare judgment and
quick perception he purchased farm for
$780, which when its somewhat latent
qualities were developed he sold for
$4,000. For many years farmer Harris
horn was known all through the coun-
tv and far beyond as an extensive farm.
CT, stuck breeder, drover and auction
Ger. He was never idle. He was always
. using his means to develop some local
enterDrisc. He built the "Hartshorn
Block" in Lancaster. In 1872 he bought
the material for printing and established
: the Essex County HERALD. He was CON
tnually and actively engaged in posi-
tionS of town responsibility, settling es-
=. tates, adjusting private controversies
and taking lively interest in every di-
rection. He represented his town in the
| state legislature in 1852 3, was Judge OF
+ Probate in 1867, was senator for
Essex County in 1901, was one OF the
directors Of the state prison for seven
- wears, and was holding town and local
: positions of responsibility constantly.
! The situations and conditions in his lite
>. were such that his going demands more
h than a passing notice, He lived and died
in the town in which he was born. He
), was imbued with those frugal, calculat-
ing, industrious and exact notions OF
c business so peculiar to early New Eng
l. land, and exercised the careful and useful
p employment of capital at home, except as
the western currents moved him little
in his later years. He was a member OF
i one of those large families so numerous
d as to resemble the grand old patriarchal
II groups of olden times and which was one
' of the most interesting features OF New
4 England society. Hehad just the energy
push and adaptability which the rugged
- and primitive times in his town and
a county demanded. He made Just Lawful
le exacted his own but was just. He wa.
, quick, blunt and plain without dissimu
lation. AS an opponent he was open
' aggressive, impulsve, argumentative anC
1t denunciatory, but he had less malice il
c his sr,-->r, ana methods than men gilmore
= designing and polite demonstration. He
was alive to the point of Selling every
;, opportunity to benefit himselfand Others
for he was as ardent in Others Interests
l. as he was in his own. And when his steps
It grew tired and the hill more steep los
N of the impulses of his wide surrounding
-. was plainly visible. He lived inintensel,
interesting days. The men among whom
~ he was born and who grew up with hin
IL were energetic, vigorous and enterprising
~ They were SO situated as to produce pc
;" culiarly faithful and friendly relations t.
each other.
When public issues arise which toucI
individuals and smaller communities tn
feelings and sentiments of each one ar
:" involved and awakened. Their relation
nv to each other become personal and a dee,
~ and lively interest in the lives and action
y of Others is engendered. During the yer.
III first days OF my acquaintance with on
~ friend the main portions of the count
:, were thrown together in vigorous am
:" united effort to prevent its dismembel
ment. In that controversy friendship
were born and cemented so closely tina
~" they more resembled family ties tina
those between citizens, not only betwee
those each sides OF the controvers,
but between those opposed toeach Other
With the rest Judge Hartshorn entere
~ into that controversy with all the inter
60 sity of his nature With him when
49, controversy was over every trace mad
where the parties touched each other wa
,oo gone.
-. Did our friend ever excite envy? OF
yes; live, enterprising men always dc
No man runs boldly in life's stadium
49, without coming i'll contact with Others
80 But sitting in the silent presence offriend
beside that still form so Indifferent to tn
emotions, sentiments and memories
, which are made almost tumultuous b
.c the deep silence of the occasion, if or
-. envious thought should so out toward
-, the peaceful sleeper it would fade ere
W. reached him, 1t ould not meet even til
lip curled seornfuly in death, (for Il