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| Affiliation | Republican |
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| Name | Frederick Holbrook |
| Address |
, Vermont , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
February 15, 1813
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| Died | April 28, 1909
(96 years)
|
| Contributor | Joshua L. |
| Last Modifed | Joshua L.
Dec 19, 2004 10:47am |
| Tags |
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| Info | Frederick HOLBROOK, of Brattleboro [Windham County, Vermont], was born 15
February 1813 in East Windsor [Hartford County], Connecticut, son of John
HOLBROOK (of the above sketch). Frederick HOLBROOK received a sound English
education in the progress of which he devoted much attention to mathematics.
For two years he was a diligent student at the Berkshire Gymnasium,
Pittsfield [Berkshire County], Massachusetts, an institution then under the
direction of Professor DEWEY, and held by many to be the best private school
in the country at that time. When twenty years of age he crossed the
Atlantic to obtain the advantage of a European tour. Returning home in 1833,
he settled in Brattleboro and confined his energies mainly to agricultural
pursuits.
Public official life with Mr. [Frederick] HOLBROOK began in 1847, when he was
elected register of probate for the district of Marlboro [Windham County,
Vermont]. In 1850 he was chosen to the presidency of the Vermont State
Agricultural Society, of which he was one of the founders. The first address
delivered before the association was from his lips. Eight consecutive annual
elections followed his first elevation to that most useful and honorable
post. In 1849 and 1850 he was returned to the state Senate as the
representative of his fellow citizens in Windham County. While a member of
the Senate, and acting as chairman of a special committee on agriculture, he
proposed and prepared a memorial to Congress setting forth the usefulness and
urging the establishment of a National Bureau of Agriculture. The project
received the endorsement and commendation of the President of the U. S. in
his message to Congress. It was no less favorably received by the
representatives of the several states, and by their action, approved by the
chief magistrate, the department of agriculture soon passed from the domain
of possibility into that of reality.
His essays and other writings for the agricultural press for several years
first attracted public attention to him. His style of writing, the result of
careful training in the formation of good composition, and clear, concise
statement was said to be graceful and forceful, and later on conspicuous in
his state papers and official correspondence. Qualities so useful and public
service so beneficial naturally led to Mr. HOLBROOK's elevation to the
gubernatorial chair of Vermont. In 1861 he was placed therein by a
gratifying majority of votes. The choice was one of special honor to the
subject, inasmuch as the time was one of the darkest and most portentous in
our national history. Responsibilities of the gravest character devolved
upon the executive head of the state and burdensome and incessant labor was
required of him.
While Governor of Vermont, Mr. HOLBROOK was called upon to assist in devising
means for the preservation of injured Union soldiers. Under his guidance
Vermont was the first state in the Union to provide hospitals for its
soldiers. Thereby many were saved from sinking into untimely graves. There
were no precedents to guide action. Good practical sense alone availed to
work out the problem. But few mistakes attended the attempted solution, and
brilliant success crowned it in the outcome. Since he was Governor he has
declined all overtures of public office, preferring the quiet, honored, and
eminently useful life he is now leading. As an authority on many and diverse
subjects, his opinions are eagerly sought and largely followed by an
ever-widening circle of friends and acquaintances. Appointments from general
government have sought his acceptance, but have been declined. Never an
office seeker, and comparatively seldom an office acceptor, whenever he has
been persuaded to don the official harness, he has always been noted for the
efficiency, thoroughness, and beneficence of his work. The best ends, the
wisest means to them, and the highest rule of action have entered into all
his mediations, plans, and deeds of public activity.
Chairman of the board of trustees of the Vermont Asylum for the past forty
years, he has incessantly sought for the best good of the patients and the
best welfare of the institution. Legislator, Governor, and public
benefactor, his career has been one of dutiful, loving utility. In the
tranquil but prolific department of agriculture his position, if vacated,
would be extremely difficult to fill. On 13 January 1835 Frederick HOLBROOK
was married to Harriet, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (EDWARDS) GOODHUE, of
Brattleboro [Windham County, Vermont]. Their children are: Franklin F.,
William C., and John.
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