St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-14
yermonters in Minnesota.

The November Vermonter has an inter-
esting sketch by Hazen NJ. Parker, for
merly Of Peacham, of natives of the
Green Mountain state now living in
Minnesota, accompanied by portraits of
several well known to our readers.
Among the illustrations are portraits of
congressman ]. B. Gilfllan, native
of Barnet, and F. g. Mcmillan, native
of Danvile.
''Hon. Henry c. Belden," says Mr..
Parker, "born in Burke, was for series
of years Judge of the district court of
Henuepin county and was considered by
the bar of the county as the best of the
six judges of that court during those
years. He retired voluntarily from the
bench and has since been practicing law.
He is the same resolute, philosophical
man that he was in St. Johnsbury and
ranks among the best of his profession in
the state.
Hon. 7. B. Gilfllan has retired from
general court practice and acts as adviser
for large business institutions, with
some of which be is associated, among
which is the First National Bank OF
Minneapolis, OF which he is now pres1-
dent. To Mr. Gilfillan his alma mater
in Peacham owes renewed life and at
Effectiveness.
Hon. Charles A Willard, of st. Johns
bury, lately chief justice OF the supreme
court of the Philippine islands, is one of
the most scholarly men whom the bar of
Hennepin county has had.
''Vermonters here, as well as on their
native soil and elsewhere, have ever been
on the lookout for the main chance.
They have had a keen scent for profitable
enterprises and have shown their an
cestral vigor in prosecuting them. In all
lines they have opened and directed to
themselves channels and streams of prof
it. Among them are M1nnesota's
heaviest fnanciers. One of these, Capt.
John Martin, of Peacham, residing at
Minneapolis, for many years president of
the First National Bank of Minneapolis,
deserves credit as much as any one for
building the 500 railroad, the most i'm
portant of any road in safeguarding the
interests of the state and the northwest.
To his energy, oversight and financial
backing is, in large degree, due the sue
cess of that enterprise.
''An auecdote in regard to him is en-
titled to mention, showing the brotherly
feeling of Vermonters at home. For
years he has been vIce-presldent OF the
500 road. The size of his bank account
is not indicated by the clothes he wears.
He is always a practical observer.
lew years ago he was en- route from
Boston to Minneapolis on 500 train
which made quite stop at Newport.
While the train was standing there he
was on the outside STOPPING over looking
at the truck of one of the coaches. Seeing
this, friendly bvstander thought he
wanted to go to Montreal and was con-
templating dangerous ride there. This
kind-hearted man approached him and
said. Friend, you are too old man to
ride in that way. III pay your fare to
Montreal and you can ride as you
should
"a benefaction for which Capt. Mar
tin will be kindly remembered, is a mu-
nihcent gift for the erection of a COM
modious home at st. Anthony Park Tor
homeless waits, built in memory of his
daughter, Jean Martin Brown, whose
name the home bears. This home fit
tingly signalizes the broad sympathies
which characterized Mrs. Brown"
or the Vermont Association, formed in
1900, Mr.. Parker says, "Since that time
the organization has been continuously
maintained, with a new set of officers
elected each year. Its maintenance has
been, in great measure, due to the energy
and faithfulness of Mr.. c. c. Dunn, of
Ryegate, and Mr.. Charles M Drew, of
St. Johnsbury, who have been it's secre-
taries during the greater part of it's exist
ence."