Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-03-07
NUMBER 10

the rugged paths of life and down it's
declivity, have all recognized it and
been the better for its contact. Only
in less degree than those who have
come in the closer and tenderer rela-
tions of husband, father and brother
do they realize this morning that it
was indeed a rare approach to the
ideal of the Christian gentleman that
was reached in the man that has gone.
Honest. true and brave, it is as near
true of him as it can be of poor hu-
manity, as Jefferson said of Monroe,
turn his soul inside out, and there is
not speck on it. -
julius j. Estey, son of Jacob and
Desdemona (Wood) Estey, was born in
BrattleboIo January 1945. His grand
father, Isaac Estey, came from Sut-
ton, Mass. to Hinsdale, N. f., when
young man and engaged in the lum-
Der business with his brother. The
venture proved anything but prosper
Gus, however, and Isaac Estey was ar
rested and thrown into county Jail un-
der the provision of the statute which
at that time allowed Imprisonment for
debt His son, Jacob Estey, was
adopted at the age of four by we'll
to-do Hinsdale family and lived with
them until he was 13 years old, when
he started out to shift for himself.
Before attaining his majority he came
to Brattleboro and in 1S4S he erected a
large building and rented part of it to
the proprietors of small melodeon
factory. In 1850 Mr.. Estey accepted a
share of the business in payment for
rent and from this comparatively small
beginning grew the present enormous
establishment.
General Estey received his elemen-
tary education in the public schools of
this town and afterward attended Nor
wich university. He did not finish
his course there but entered the en-
ploy of his father in the manufacture
of Estey organs, first in the office of
the Chicago branch of the business
in which the late S. Nj. Waite and
Riley Burdette were their partners
At the age of 2f he was admitted a
Company together with his brother in
law, Levi X. Fuller Since that time
he had been inseparably connected
with the business, as treasurer before
and for short time after his fathers
death in 1890, and later as president :,
of the concern. He had been for many
years president of the Peoples Nation
at bank, was one of the founders of the
local Y. NJ. G. A. and its president
from the time of its organization. He
was also president of the state Baptist
Sunday school association, and prom
inent worker in the Brattleboro church
and Sunday school. He was treasurer
Of the Moody schools at Northfield,
treasurer of the Valley Fair associa-
lion, had held the offices of town au-
iitor and selectman and was bailiff for
several terms
General Estey had been for many
7ears leading factor in state affairs.
He represented the town of Brattleboro
n the Legislature in 1876 and served as
state senator from Windham county
or two years beginning 1882. In 1888
lie was chosen delegate at-large
rom Vermont to the Republican ma
ional convention where, with Senator
Proctor, he was one of the leaders in
bringing about, after long struggle,
he nomination of President Harrison,
Who so deeply appreciated his service
hat, in addition to his friendship, he
1ould have honored him otherwise;
ut General Estey would accept no Of
ice. President Harrison was one of
he two presidents who ever visited
'rattleboro: and upon the occasion of
hat visit he was Gen Estey's guest.
At an early age Mr. Estey became
nterested in military affairs, serving
4 the National guard of Vermont, and
i 1874 was elected captain of COM
any |. afterward known as the Estey
iuard. Two years later he was ap-
ointed to the military staff of Gov.
Lorace Fairbanks, with the rank of
olonel, and in 1881 was elected lieu
,nant colonel of the Vermont National
uard, holding that position until his
ection as colonel in 1886. In 1892 he
as promoted to the command of the
rigade, with the rank of brigadier
eneral, doing effective service for the
ate in recognizing the militia and
lifting ii on better basis.
In 1867 he married Florence, daugh-
r of DR.. Henry Gray of Cambridge
,rt, N. y. physician of great dis
notion, and she survives him with
70 children, Jacob Gray Estey and
Illus Harry Estey. A third and
'unger son, Guy Carpenter, died a .,
W years ago. He also leaves one sis
r. Mrs. Levi X. Fuller. and four
an 6cbii5rep