davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

lation and entered Middlebury colleg
In the fall OF 1860. lie then caugh
the patriotic feryor OF the day an,
served one year in the army. enlistin,
In August. 1862. aud continuing In thu
service until July. 1863. when he re
turned Ia college aud graduated In hi'
old class of 1864 To accomplish thi,
he worked al haying nearly every
summer and taught school every win
ter. studying hard meanwhile To make
! up his arrearages. With his origina
savings OF Si25 he fitted himself FOL
college and completed his course with
out assistance from any one but his
own willing hands and busy brain.
John A Mead ''cut IL pretty fine.
however. as nj the time of his grad.
uation he was So hard up that he
was Obliged to sell all his books. par,
ticularly the English books of the final
year. that every graduate likes 10
keep, and SO he graduated from Mid.
dlebury. square with the world iinan.
cially. but nearly pennileSs.
Tries UnsuceessfuIly to Re- enlist
Finding nothing 10 do AT home, he
then tried to enlist In the army again
going To Castleton, where ii WAS re.
ported two or three soldiers were re.
CURED TO complete their quota for that
had just been enrolled and returned
from Castlcton In gravel car, thor
oughly discouraged. This was low tide
in his fortunes. however. as he found
Il letter awaiting him from Champaign,
\. Y, offering him position as teach
er in the high school for a term OF
four months. He started for Cham
plain that evening and finished the
term teaching.
Immediately upon his return he be.
gan to study medicine with Professor
Joseph Perkins of CastletOn. paying
most of his expenses 10y caring for the
office and assisting the doctor or pro.
fessor. Then he continued the study
of medicine, attending the first course
of lectures in the medical department
of the University of Vermont.
Quarry Worker That He Might Be
Doctor.
He continued with Or. Perkins for /
nearly two years, when the pinch of .
poverty came again. and he gave up
his studies and began working on n
quarry at West Rutland. having a
strong desire to graduate. if possible,
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

the permanent improvement Of Yer
mont woodlands.
"Tenth.-Laws that will encourage
and foster Vermont Industries. with
the view Of providing a home market
fer our agricultural products.
Eleventh Measures that will give
prominence 10 the natural beauty and
attractions OF our mountains, valleys,
lakes and streams. interest the vaca-
ZIONIST and summer visitor and attract
permanent residents from abroad"
Biography Of John A. Mead.
John Abner Mead was the only son
Of Roswell Rowley Mead. grandson Of
James Mead, and Lydia Ann, daughter
of Eli GOrham of Rutland. James
Mead was the first white man TO settle
In Rutland township. He bought OF
Nathan Stone of Windsor 1000 acres
Of land. paying for the same In horses
valued nj $33333. He was Il distin
guished pioneer and patriot and was
colonel of the Third Vermont colonial
regiment.
Rowley Il. Mead was born in West
Rutland in hotel which his father,
Abner Mead, conducted. On the ma
ternal side John Abner Mead. subject
of this sketch, inherited some of the
bluest blood IN this country. one OF
Lydia Ann Gorham's ancestors, John
Rowland, was II brave and cntcrpriS-
ing member of the Maytlower colony,
and four of them were original pil-
grims. ROwley Il. Mead moved to
Fair Haven in 1899 and settled on a
small farm there.
Left to Care Of His Aunt.
John Abner Mead was born on
April 20, 1911. His mother, Lydia .
Ann Gorham Mead went into de /
cline soon afterward and died in Au /
gust. The infant son was left with IA !
family in Fair Haven to be cared for, /
remaining with them for several years, !
Then Rowley Mead married again, and (
The boy was virtually given to an .
lunt. Mrs. Blanchard. who cared for
lim for a number of years and with
whom he lived much of the time until
le was sixteen years of age.
Struggling For an Education.
Young Mead attended the common
chools at West Rutland until the
pring of 1888. When he was about
welve years of age he conceived a
cry strong desire to obtain an edu
alton. His father was n poor man
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

FIELD OF ENS1bAGE CORN.
These rows are nearly half a mile long.
fair career for some men. and yet
the doctor has been able to operate his
large well tennnted block not only
profita bly,. but as a mere annex to his
other interests.
His entrance into the state political
field was in its way no less remark
able, and experienced political gener-
ais say chat his instructive grasp Of
| the principles of organization at the
time when he was nominated by the
Republican state convention rs lieuten-
ant governor Indicate political ability
of high order. His candidacy ut this
time has already acquired consider
able momentum and is being watched
with the closest interest by all men
who have made state politics Il study.
The Doctors Platform.
When questioned as to whether he
was prepared to take stand on mat
tiers of public import. the doctor said:
Eyes: have some decided opinions
In regard to public questions. Briefly,
| am in favor of progress in every
avenue of the state. the best business
methods in the administration of its
affairs and equal opportunity to every
citizen of the commonwealth"
Pressed to be more explicit. the lieu
tenant governor submitted the follow
ing as his idea of public issues before
the state:
81 am in favor Of
"FirSt.-A business administration
of state affairs Oh the lines of econo-
my and efficiency that have made all
business successful
Second Practical schools, with a
view to developing more efficient work
ers-agricultural. industrial and COM
mercial.
"Third.-The development of the
farming interests of Vermont by means
of an agricultural school and model
farm for introducing the most modern
methods.
"Fourth.-A system of taxation that |
will equalize the burden, minimize !
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

Otter Creek stock farm. this estate
of about 800 acres supporting 10
head of cattle and producing 800 tons
of hay. as well rs three large silos OF
ensilage. This farm is a model OF its
kind. having running water with iif
ty foot head supplied from a spring on
the hillside. which is used for all pur
poses and furnishes, besides, an ideal
fire protection. There was grown on
this farm last fall probably one of the
largest fields of ensilage corn in the
state. fifty acres in extent and growing
as level and perfect as it is possible to
imagine. Among the interesting things
about the farm is the fact that fol
about three years an acre of land has
been planted with Russian seed corn,
variety that grows large number
Of ears with Il very small amount OF
stalk. This is harvested each fall and
the seed sent to Washington by eX-
press for distribution or experiment.
About ten years ago Dr. Mead was
made director and president of the
Baxter National bank and has contin.
ued in that position ever since.
His confidence in these various insti-
tutions is shown by the fact that
whenever stock was offered for sale
he always purchased the same.
Mead In Public Life.
DR.. Mead's public life includes the
following: In 1892 he was state sena.
tor, in 1906 he was member of the
house of representatives. and in 1905 |
he was elected lieutenant governor.
In all his public life he has acquit-
ted himself with distinct credit. AL,
though not a seeker for the fime1fgh
Or a lover Of notorety, he has made
1 decidedly favorable impression when
ever brought into contact with public
men, and should the state of Vermont
zee fit to advance him to the highest
office in its gift he promises
hat the qualities that have made him
me of the most successful business
men Of the day will be applied to the /.
olution of state problems, their eco
lomical adjustment and business ad-
of public finances.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

80 with lhose complimentary aud usu
ally ornamental offices
Mead In Business.
In 1850 be bought the Rates HOUSE
block. this being the largest transfer
Of real estate thar had ever taken
place In The town up To that time. lic
sold the upper portion of the block "a
j. VI. Haven.
Two or three years afterward. on
the reorganization of the Rutland rail-
road. he was made treasurer and trans
fer agent, aud also treasurer. transfer
agent aud director Of the Addison
railroad. AZ the organization ~ the
Clement bank aud the State Trust
company he was made director In both
and vice president Of the State Trust
company,
The Howe Scale Company.
IN ISIS. at the Reorganization OF the
Howe Scale company. he was elected
president and general manager. This
corporation had gone through bank.
ruptcy three times, aud all the money
that had ever been Invested In the
stock OF said company had been lost.
The business VI this company has IN
creased since August. 1889. when he
became active manager % It's affairs.
from S3JO.OO0 TO $4,000 per annunI
In sales To Si.500.000 In 1897. The bust
ness thereafter paid substantial divi
dend semiannually. and its value has
steadily Increased until today II Is
unquestlonably one Of the best bust
ness propositions In the state. This
result was accomplished by a tremen
ious amount Of hard work. long hours
and intense application to business.
Mead the Farmer.
In 1901 Dr. Mead purchased the
Hayward farm. now known as the
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04
JOHN ABNER MEAD
X A Dramatic Life History
6 @.

double taxation and develop ralh.l
than restrict opportunity.
FIFTH Better reads for y.rmnnl
by the Introduction ~ improved meth
DDS, With slate supervision ani aid
wherever nnd whenever prarIicnbl.
"slsih,-fhe s"ai oiiirrs ~ The ~,
ecuiire IN settling disputes between
labor ana capital by arbitration,
Seventh Fewer aud mnrr uniform
laws, with no slas'inl legislation that
can he coyenrl ht general statutes
Eighth, 4 system IT courts that
will provide cheap 1nd speedy lusiire
10 rich and poor
"thl 4 radlrnl r~lnrllon ~ cour eS.
penses by business methods II admin.
istrailon,
"Nlnth. a continuation aud extern.
sion Of the states forestry p"licy for
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04
THE MEAD BUILDING, RUTLAND.

ment of Columbia university. aud grad
nated from this medical Institution II
the spring Of 1878
No Dress Suit 10 Graduate In.
lie immediately received an appoint
ment rs house physician TO the King
County hospital. where he went III,
next morning after graduating. An IN
rldent In connection with this gradui
ton Is the fact that out Of ninety
three students he was the only on,
who did not possess dress suit. but
was obliged "a wear an old shiny blarl
diagonal suit, aud as far as his tinnnerp
were concerned he had rcllgiously sav
ed just enough money 10 purchase
ticket to Vermont. His bcwilIcrmeni
on receiving the same night durin,
the exercises u long official envelop,
containing his appointment rs hons,
physician at Kings County hospital wni
such that he Ii said 10 have stuck
pin into his leg. fearing that he might
be dreaming,
After being In the hospital about
three months he was Unexpected,
placed on salary OF $500 year
which was wealth untold TO the youns
fellows Of that day. who were accus
toned TO walk the hospitals" for theil
board and washing.
Mead Learned to Say NO"
The Importance of "unconsidereo /
tribes" In relation TO this appointment
Is we'll exemplitied by the fact that
during his college course and about
three months before graduation Their,
was merry party in the parlors OF
the hospital at which an ablebodieO
punch. according To the customs OF
that time. was served. The young stu
dent had made n mental vow n short
time before that thereafter he would
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

al
Mead of Rutland. lieutenant
governor Of Vermont. 81 px-
pect that my friends In Rutland city
and Rutland county will present my
name as n candidate for governor at
the next Republican state convention"
question asked by n reporter.
The hour was 7:3O a. m.
The scene was the office OF the Howe
Scale works In Rutland. and the sin.
gular combination Of early hours and
important political news Is explained
by the fact that ever since DR.. Mead
came into the control Of the scale
works. twenty-five years ago. he has
made a practice of being ION the job"
as early as any employee Of the con-
Germ.
The extraordinary singleness Of pur.
pose. fertility of resource. courage,
concentration. ability. superb vitality
and high personal character that have
made 1t possible for a man of the
humblest antecedents to rise from a
condition of biting poverty to the con
troll of n half dozen successful and i'm
portant enterprises reads more like
story book than prosaic record of
everyday life.
No person can read the biography Of
John Abner Mead without feeling the
tremendously dramatic possibilities
that inhere to life of fixed purpose
and integrity, with an eye firmly fixed
on success. From the time that DR. /
Mead was left virtual orphan he
seems to have had but one object in
mind, and that the fullest development |
of his own possibilities and powers in
harmony with the welfare of those
with whom he was associated and of
the various enterprises with which he
has been connected
Going through college on S42J. pain
fully and scrupulously saved from the
earnings of uncongenial toll. interrupt
ing his college course to serve as
soldier in the civil war, studying medi
cine and assisting in commonplace
tasks about Il doctors office and final
ly doing manual labor of the severest
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

the spectacle of this rrsolui-. indeiai
igable young vermonler. Drawing alik'
the rIdlenle II his companions aud lh'
humiliation of wearing old AMI wuri
clothes Ia order that he might nseiN,
mn education, indicates spartan forli
inde that comes yer, near Ia explain
/ ing his iife's success, II Is a Ear cry
from the luxurious medical student,
OF to-day, With their expensive suits oi
apartments, their good clothes. theii
sports. their relasaiions aud the gen
orally easy way Ia which their sue
eesses are secured. "a the poor. almost
mean, eNpe'ii.nis of Br. Mead's col
lege training and the little Office IN
which he began 10 practice his pro
fession.
Young vermoniers who are looking
for an example ~ success 10y dinI u
will power aud applied ability will not
do better than 20 read the story Of
those early days. explaining as they do
the steady, uninterrupted march Of
prosperity which followed his ready
acceptance aud use VI the FIRST oppor
tunities thnt fortune put In his way.
Grown men viii he struck with nd
miration when they consider the rx.
traordlnary versatility which his pro.
fessional aud business life have dis.
closed II Is very seldom that man.
after making u measurable success In
m lnaf lE.. Ii.In
should be able TO translate himself
easily To business life and not only |
prove himself the peer of his asso. /
ciates. but demonstrate his ability 10 /
make signal success In several dl
verging lines of business
The resuscitation Of the bankrupt
Howe Scale company was n task for a
trained executive and tinancier. aud
yet this young doctor made a striking
success Of the supposed forlorn hope
The administration OF banking
property Is considered 10 he career
enough for most men. and yet he has
made II mere detail Of the days
work.
The operation OF large farm is
me Of the most intricate problems OF
he day. and yet II is one of his chief
'ecreatlons TO join his men In spring.
line. haying or harvesting and dem
'nstrate his practical knowledge Of az
iculture as well as his love for the
pen
The management and financing of Il
arge business block Is frequently a
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

at one of the larger medical schools
Of our country and determined to earn
the money to do so. He worked In
the quarry for about ten months. after
which he went to New York city and
entered the College of Physicians and
Surgeons. being the medical depart
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

Ind told him that he was willing to
give him his time" and that he must
make his own way as best he could.
In fact, the sole inheritance which
be received from his father was a
string of old fashioned sleighbells.
Then began the slow, steady saving
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

4 Dr.. Mead Announce
|His Candidacy and His
|PioVorm--CondenSed BIZ
|oeropby Of a Remarka-
|bke Cbaracfer--Tbe Story
'of HotO a PenniieSs Boy
Rose 10 Become a Creos
|BuSiness and Political
Force - An Inferesfine
and Dramatic HiSfo.y.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

We want agents In every village
where our Poultry Food is not sold II
il is not on sale in your village we will
send YOU. freight prepaid, l25.pound
sack for $500 or 60.pound sack for
$500
CARROLL 5. PAGE. Hyde Park, Vt.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04
No Tin Soldier.

Although serving as surgeon general
on the staff of Governor Redfield Proc
tor. as aid to General Alger and as
colonel on General VeaZey's staff. it
is significant that the young doctor
was never able to purchase dress
uniform, but did the work without at
tending the usual social functions that
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04
BAXTER NATIONAL BANK, RUTLAND.

BAXTER NATIONAL BANK, RUTLAND.
:ype in a Rutland quarry to procure
he means to secure the best medical
education possible-all these point to a
character of consistent and singular
,orce.
The side lights on his college life
demonstrate that he was able in those
lays to eliminate whatever may have
stood in the way of his success. and
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

let the other fellows do the drinking
while he attended to the studying
Among the party were college friends
who jokiugly pressed young Mead Il
join them in Il iovial glass, but were
unsuccessful. The superintendent al
the hospital afterward admitted that
the ability To say NO" at this time
induced him to recommend the young
man for the appointment MS house ply
stefan. The singular part of the Incl.
dent Is that the superintendent himself
was conviyial character, not at all
averse to the friendly glass of that
day or a number of glasses.
DR.. Mead Practices Medicine.
In the fall of 1870 he resigned his
position in the hospital and came TO
Rutland, where he began the practice
of his profession on the Sth day of
December, 1870. He began in small
way with single room and had only
money enough to buy horse and Of
fee furnishings. including a cloth
lounge, on which he slept for almost
two years. A box by day contained
the bedclothes and was converted into
an extra seat.
He served as surgeon general on the
staff of Governor Redtield Proctor
from 1878 TO 1850 and was also
member of the staff of General Alger,
who was commander of the Grand
Army of the Republic. He served. too,
as member of the staff of General
Veazey, also commander of the Grand
Army. He was on the pension exam
ming board for eight years. was physi-
clan and surgeon to the house of cor
rection, was the first house physician. |
in fact, from the time it was COM !
pleted until he came to the Howe I
Scale company.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

~ YES. ! am a candidate for pro-
notion" said DR.. John Abner
Mead of Rutland. lieutenant
poyernor NJ vprmnnt az px.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

go with lhoSc complimentary aud usu
ally ornamental Offices
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-02-04

ment Of COLUMBIA university. aud grad
uated from this medical Institution IL
the spring of 1918
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-13
FOR THE SCHOOLS.

From the American Book Company,
Chicago, we have "Plane Geometry De
veloped by the Syllabus Method - by
Eugene Randolph Smith, A. NJ, head of
the Department of Mathematics, Poly
technic Preparatory School, BROOKLYN.
y. Y. This book is prepared on the
idea that the proofs OF geometry should
bo worked out by the pupils, either in
class discussion or individually. II does
not favor the mcmorizing Of the thco-
rems and the proofs 10 sustain them /;
the book Is written III the hope Of en-
couragIng teachers 10 undertake the
teaching ofigcomctry by the ono text
method The effort is "A good one. but
it will necessarily fail, because the
schools have poi enough teachers who
arc so thoroughly grounded in geom.
ctry that they are able TO carry out
the plan.
From the same we have, "Planc Trig
onomctry'', by Edward Il. Robbins,
Senior Mathematical Master, the vii
liam Penn Charter School. The author
of this work has prepared il with the
idea of eliminating much that is super
huous IN Il complete and scientific I'M
derstandlng of trigonometry, that has
creps into the classroom and text books
in recent wears. 1t almost seems as
though he has skcletouized the study.
and yet sufficient is presented herein 40
give a complete training in trlgometery.
The hope of the author is that by these
eIiminaLlons of materials which are not
necessary, a better and more practical
understanding may be had Of this i'm.
poriant study.
From the same We have "Pupil S
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-13

The Seventh Noon. BY Freedrick Orin
Bartlett. With illustrations by Ed
muud Frederick Published by Small
Maynard and Company. Boston.
The scheme of this story is that =
Young man who had had rather a hard
time of it in his life, without much pros
DccJ of wealth and enjoyment. determ-
ines TO end his existence. He talks
the matter over with a scientific
gent, - who is u great chemist, and who
argues against the idea Of suicide At
the same time, however. this scientist,
who is strong in chemistry, says that
be has invented a new poison which
leaves no trace of its presence, and
which is absolutely certain to cause
been taken, In corroboration OF the
CHEMISTS theory. pup is brought IN
that has been doped with this poison
seven days before, and exactly mt noon
his time is up to die, and he collapscs,
according TO schedule. From this the
would be suicide is greatly Affected
When the chemist s back is turned. be
steals the poison, drinks it, and then
starts out TO have his fling at life with
tho two thousand dollars he has sue.
cccded in saving Great things immedi
atelY press upon him. He has adveu.
lures without number. He becomes n
hero, lifts a widow and ber children
from want by buying her a farm, then
becomes acquainted with "A lovable girl
does immediate service for her i'm deal
ing with her brother, who is addicted
TO liquor and opium, comes 10 love her
very dearly and she him. Al the time.
however. be has to fight off the idea of
marriage. as he considers himself
doomed. and dare not tell what his fate
IS 10 be. However, on the last day.
lgst before noon. he seeks his friend,
the chemist, as the seventh noon ap.
proacbes, and finds the relief which is
at once unexpected and irrepressblc
it is decidedly entertaining story
well told, with the subject brought out
s6illfully and dramatically The author
has presented a good, finished work. 1t
raises strongly the question. "What
would You do if you knew that YOU had
lUst seven 1aVs IN liyc2'