Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-07-19
COL. HARMON CHOSEN
AT HEAD OF SOLDIERS HOME

Has Had Experience Which Has
Fitted Him Well for New Position
His Record as a Soldier and Ma.
tonal Guardsman.
Col. Thomas Harmon of Brattleboro
was appointed Wednesday afternoon
to the position of superintendent of
the Soldiers Home in Bennington by
the trustees of that institution. Col
lannon's Brattleboro friends, or, for
that matter his friends throughout
the state, do not need to be told that
the trustees have made a wise choice
for a successor to the late Robert J..
Coffey. Col. and Mrs. Harmon regret
very much that the appointment will
necessitate their removal from Brattle-
boro, but none regret the fact more
than the people of Brattleboro in gen
eral, who, while they recognize that
their removal will be a distinct loss
to the town, unite in extending to Col.
and Mrs. Harmon sincere congratula-
lions in the good fortune which has
come to them. The trustees appointed
Mrs. Coffey. widow of the former SUI
| perintendent, matron for another year.
That Col Harmon is well fitted for
| the position of superintendent has
! been demonstrated by his success in
conducting the victualing department
at the Valley Fair the past IL years
or more, making a handsome profit,
although expanding several thousand
dollars each year. This experience
will be of much value to him in con-
Quoting the every day affairs of the
Soldiers Home.
The receipts of the home during the
last year were about 100000 and the
disbursements $4,000. The total num-
Der of admissions to the home has
been 1923. The total number of deaths
has been 1872. The membership at the
close of the year ending June 30, was
70. The number of deaths during the
year was Is.
Col. Harmon was born in Danville,
Nov. II, 1S43, and has always lived in
this state. When a boy he went to
Guilford to live, and in 1861 he Joined
a volunteer militia company in that
town. He enlisted in company X, 9th
Vermont regiment, June "a. 1862, and
was mustered in July 8, 1862. He was
promoted corporal April H. 1868, was
promoted sergeant Dec. Is, 1864, and
was mustered out June 10, 1865. At
detailed as Quartermaster sergeant,
which position he held until he was
discharged. He was in all the battles
in which his company participated, but
was never wounded. He was taken
prisoner at Harpers Ferry, when the
entire regiment surrendered.
After the war Col. Harmon returned
to Guilford, where, in 1869 he married
Ellen NJ. Weatherhead of that town
and they came to Brattleboro in 1870
In 1874 the Fuller Light Battery was
organized and Col. Harmon was one OF
the original members. In 1886 he was
elected second lieutenant, and in Au
gust. 1888. Gov. Ormsbee commission
ed him quartermaster with the rank
of first lieutenant. On Dec. 7, 1892
he was commissioned by Gov. Levi X
Fuller as lieutenant colonel of the
first brigade, V. n. c., with the rank
of assistant quartermaster general
which position he held until the bri
gade was disbanded by special act OF
the state legislature in December. 1900
Col. Harmon has also held the posi-
tions of assistant quartermaster gen
eral and senior vice commander Of
the Department Of Vermont, G. A. r.
For % years Col. Harmon has beer
employed in the bellows department
in the Estey organ plant. and for many
years he has been foreman of that de
partment, rendering valuable service
, to the company. For a long term o.
years he has been one of the town con
2 stables. He is a member of Beausean
, Commandery, Knights Templar, Brat
, tleboro lodge Of Masons, Wantastique
lodge of Odd Fellows. Protective
= Grange and Sedgwick post, G. A. r.
For the service of the state and foI
5 the veterans at the Home no bette
3 choice than that of Col. Harmon coulC
} be made. He will spend the state'i
= money with absolute fidelity. He Il
/ accustomed to the management Of
= men, and the disabled veterans will
4 find in him faithful and sympathizinl
r friend.