The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-12-28
PIONEER MAKER OF
MOVING MACHINES
Lorenzo Stebbins of Hinsdale, N H,
Deacon of Congregational Church,
Dies at Age of 83.
Especial to The Reformer.)
HINSDALE, n. H., Dec. 2

n1NEcD<AI4EY N. H., Dec. 20.
Lorenzo Stebbins, So, one of our old
est and most respected citizens, passed
peacefully to his eternal rest at $50
Q clock Monday morning from the eff
fects of a paralytic shock which he
suffered 10 days before. He had en-
joyed unusually good health until that
time for several years, retaining his
strength and faculties remarkably well.
Mr.. Stebbins was born in Vernon,
VT, Nov. 15, 1927, son of John and
Harriet (Houghton) Stebbins, being
one of eight children, four boys and
four girls, only two of whom survive,
Mrs. L. j. Bristol of New Haven,
Conn, and Mrs NJ. S. Stockwell of
Berkeley, Cal.
He attended the district schools of
his native town, also Chester Acad-
envy in Chester, VT, thence returning
to his home and coming to this town
in 1S47 to learn the trade of machinist
in Holman s shop, later transferring
to the Newhan and Merrill factory.
After serving his apprenticeship he
worked at his trade a few months in
Worcester, Mass, returning here to
work for his former employers He
married Ellen O. Walton of Chester
field, Aug. u, 1856, and Sept. , Of the
same year he bought of John Merrill
half interest in the firm of New
hall and Merrill and began the in
vention and manufacture of the Gran
ite State moving machine under the
firm name of Newhall and Stebbins, a
name at one time familiar to every
farmer in New England.
This field mower was the first ever
made and was successful from the
start, although many of the farmers
were slow to be convinced of its SUI
periority over the scythe. However, in
short time the demand exceeded the
capacity of the plant and at one time
nearly 1000 of the machines were
made annually, some CT which are still
in operation after so years Of service
and their adaptability for use on the
hill farms of New England is still un-
| questioned
The firm also invented, developed and
manufactured a lawn mower in the
sixties which as far as known was also
/ the first ON the market and which, like
the larger machine, gained a reputa
| ton for service which is unsurpassed
After Mr.. Newhall' 3 death, Mr.. Steb
| bins continued the business and wher
he sold to a stock corporation in 1908
which took the firm name of the Gran
/ ite State Moving Machine company
the manufacture of lawn mowers wa:
beginning to supereede that of the fielI
mowers Mr. Stebbins then retire,
from active life and lived quietly il
his beautiful home, doing good in hi
modest and unassuming way and spend
ing his declining years surrounded b.
every comfort and attention by thos
who cared for him. He and his wifi
celebrated their golden wedding ami
versary in Richfeld Springs, n. Y
where they were visiting relatives
Mr.. Stebbins suffered his creates
sorrow in 1910, when his wife wa
taken away, and her loss was irrepars
BILE. Mr.. Stebbins was very much il
terested in the welfare of the CongregG
tional church, being a deacon for man
years and contributing literally to il
+ support He was never happier tha
when entertaining visitors, who alway
, found a hearty welcome.
Besides his two sisters he leaves
nieces and two nephews, among thel
; being Roland Stebbins, Mrs. Agn'
! GRAY and Miss Eta Stehbins, the la
! ter being well known here through h'
:. frequent visits, all of whom live at tt
, old homestead in Vernon.
The funeral will be held at l o 'cloc
:. Wednesday afternoon, Rev. a. l.. Ill
officiating, and the burial will tai
place in Pine Grove cemetery.