News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1906-12-12

Although the death of Ex-Gov. George
w. Hendee had been expected at any
time by his friends, the announcement
that he had passed away at about four
o'clock last Thursday morning, came as
a severe blow to this community and to
the state at large. He had been in poor
| health for a long time and during the
past year or more had suffered several
severe attacks of illness, but rallied from
each, apparently regaining his former
| health. He attended church Sunday,
Dec. 2, as usual, and seemed to feel as
well as common, having his customary
cheerful greeting for all. He was taken
seriously i'll in the evening from a COM
plication of kidney and heart difficulty,
which resulted in his death as above
stated.
Asa citizen of Morrisville and Lamoille
| County, Governor Hendee always stood
for the highest ideals in civic life ard
himself was worthy representative Of
a citizenship, which exerted wide and
beneficent influence. His loss is keenly
felt by the entire community and his use-
ful and productive life has left memories
which years cannot efface and an en-
fluence which time will but accentuate,
George Whitman Hendee was eaczn IA
Stowe, November 80, 1882, being the son
of Jehial p and Rebecca (Ferrin) Hen
dee. He was educated in the common
schools and at Peoples Academy, Nor
risjille. He began the study of law
when 70 years old in the Office of w. G.
Ferrin, of johnson, and in 1865 was adj
mitted to the Lamoihe county bar. To-
eating for the time at Watervile. BY
unusual ability and strict integrity he
soon built up large law practice, and
later devoted most OF his time to cases I'M
the state supreme and United States
courts. Gov. Hendee was for over 30
years associated with Hon. II. c. Fisk in
law partnership which was dissolved
about two years ago, although much of
his time was taken from his profession
during the latter years of his activity, by
important political duties and business
interests. He was at one time largely in
terested in railroad development and
was one of the pioneers in the construc-
ton of the Portland and Ogdensburg rail
road and devoted his entire time to it for
seven years, serving until his death
as director of the road. He was also
for three years president of the Mon treal
Portland & Boston railroad of Canada,
and president of the Vermont Interna-
tional Telegraph Co.
He was receiver of the National Bank of |
Poultney and of the Vermont National !
National Bank Examiner for Vermont /
from 1879 to 1885. (
In 1869 he was elected Leutenant-Gov-
ernor and upon the death of Gov Peter |
7. Washburn February I, 1870, he sue
ceeded to the governorship, completing
the term. lie served Tn the Forty-third,
and Forty fifth Congresses,
from 1873 to 1879, representing what was
then the third congressional district. lie
served on the committees on private land
claims and District of Columbia, and
was largely instrumental in drafting and
securing the passage of the law reorgan-
izing the government of the District of
Columbia.
He was a member of the House of Rep
resentatives for this town, two sessions,
lS6l-62, States Attorney for Lamoille
County in 1858 and 1859 and Senator from
this County in 1866, '67 and '6S. During
the war of the rebellion he was deputy
provost Marshal. When 2l years of age
he was elected superintendent of schools.
For three terms he served as President
Of the Morrisville Board of Trustees and
had also served in nearly all of the town
Offices. He was for six years president
Of the Morrisville Foundry Company and
for ten years president of the Lamoille
Valley Fair Ground Company. He had
been president of the Union Savings
Bank and Trust Company of Morrisville
for the past nine years and a director
since its organization, and had devoted
much time in the interests of that insti-
tuition.
Governor Hendee was three times mar
ried. His first wife was Melissa Redding,
their marriage taking place November II,