The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-04-29
EX-G0V. H0LBROOK
DIED AT AGE OF 96
vermont's "Grand Old Man and the
Oldest "war Governor" in the
cOuntry-His Service to
the Country.

Bnttleboro, April 2o.--The Hon.
Frederick Holbrook, former governor Of
Vermont, and the Oldest ex ex-governor in
the United States, died yesterday after
noon at $40 O'Clock at his home, 9
Walnut street, after an illness Of three
days. He was 96 years old and one Of
the last Of the Civil War executives.
The end came peacefully and quietly,
the governor lasping into unconscious
ness few moments before passing
away. About his bedside were grouped
the members Of bis family who live in
Brattleboro and DR.. H. |. Lawton, head
PHYSICIAN at the Brattleboro retreat who
has attended him during his illness.
Early in March the aged governor
was taken suddenly III but he rallied
from the attack and for the past month
had been taking his datily drives about
Brattleboro and his electrical treatments
at the Brattleboro retreat A week ago
he was again taken i'll but as compared
with his earlier illness the attack seemed
slight. The past three days he had been
failing rapidly and yesterday he grew
steadily worse. Death was due to ex-
treme old age
Frederick Holbrook, the youngest Of
10 children, was descendant of one Of
the Oldest families in New England, his
first ancestor in this country coming
from England to Boston. His father,
John Holbrook, was born in Weymouth,
Mass, and at the age of Fl came to
Newfane, w., where he secured employ
ment az a land surveyor Soon after.
ward be opened a small country store
and after accumulating considerable
property he came to Brattleboro, open
ing a store in this place and afterwards
running line Of fat bottom boats down
the Connecticut river to Hartford Conn,
building up a large business by the ex-
change Of produce.
In 1900 John Holbrook sold his Brat
tleboro holdings and removed to Ware
house Point, Conn, where Frederick
Holbrook, afterwards governor Of Yer
mont, was born February IS, 1913. He
received his early education in the Brat
tleboro schools and At the age Of 16 he
was sent to the berkshire Gymnasium
In Pittafeld, Mass. Soon after his re-
turn from school he was elected captain
Of the Floodwood militia company an
awkward company Of local young men
and he bore the title Of Captain until
he became governor.
When in his 18th year, he went 70
Boston where he became interested in
the book store Of Richardson, Lord &
and remained two years He
became member Of the Handel and
Hayden society and Of Lowell Mason's
church choir. Upon bis return to Brat
tleboro he was appointed choir leader
Of the Central Congregational church
which position he held for 40 years He
continued to take an active interest in
shurch affairs until his last illness.
In 1870 he was elected to the state
Senate. He was president OF the Yer
mont State Agricultural society from |
rs founding in 1880 up to the time he
was elected governor in 1861. His first |
official act was TO suggest 70 the state |
legislature the policy of paying of one |
half Of The state was expenses by direct |
taxation, and funding the other half in !
state bonds to be paid BY those Of an
Dther generation, and laws were enacted |
n conformity with this suggestion.
Personal Adviser Of Lincoln.
After his election as governor Mr.. |
became close friend and ad-
riser Of President Lincoln, and at the
alters personal request was asked to
write frankly and fully suggesting the
best manner Of policy and procedure Of /
the Civil War as plain peo-
pie" saw it, Governor Holbrook's letter
the calling out Of SOC, 900 men
was received one Tuesday morning BY
the president. and as soon as he had
read it President Lincoln declared that
II last he had secured the solution to
he whole difficulty, and he Immediately
lent Provost Marshal General Draper to
Vermont to assist Governor Holbrook
n drawing up a petition based on the
which would be signed by
very loyal governor.
The request was complied with, and
Ifter the petition was presented formally
% President Lincoln, he issued call