History of Georgia Center, (Franklin County) Vermont United States of America

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Biographies:

Gardner Quincy Colton, chemist, was born in Georgia, Vt., Feb. 7, 1814; son of Walter and Thankful (Cobb) Colton; grandson of Deacon Aaron and Mary (Ely) Colton; and a descendant of George Colton of Sussex, England, who settled in Springfield, Mass., about 1650. He attended the public schools until 1830, when he began a five years' apprenticeship to a chairmaker. In 1835 he obtained employment in New York city, and in 1842 he entered the College of physicians and surgeons, and later studied in the office of Dr. Willard Parker, devoting his attention especially to experimental chemistry. He became interested in noting the effect of nitrous-oxide or laughing-gas, upon the human system, and in 1844 began to deliver lectures with practical illustrations. By an accident which occurred to a man under the influence of the gas during one of Dr. Colton's lectures, its value as an an?sthetic was discovered. A dentist who was among the spectators suggested the use of the gas in his profession and had a tooth extracted while under its influence, Dr. Colton administering the gas. In 1849 he went to California where he practised medicine among the miners, worked in the gold fields, and became the first justice of the peace. Returning to New York the following year he continued his lectures until 1863 when he founded at the Cooper institute the Colton dental association. He subsequently established branches in various cities of the United States, and in Paris and London. He compiled Shakespeare and the Bible (1888); and wrote What do Unitarians Believe? (3rd ed., 1890.) He died in Geneva, Switzerland, Aug. 10, 1898.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Joel Allen Dewey, soldier, was born in Georgia, Vt., Sept. 20, 1840; son of Horace Moseley and Harriet M. (Peck) Dewey. He studied at Oberlin college, 1858-61, leaving in his senior your to serve in the Union army, having received a commission as 1st lieutenant. He was assigned to the army of Gen. John Pope and was afterward with Gen. W. T. Sherman. He was promoted captain and served on the staff of General Rosecrans. In 1863 he was promoted colonel and commanded the 111th U.S. colored regiment. He led a brigade in the operation of the army in Alabama and was captured near Athens, Ala., in 1864, while engaging Forrest's cavalry. After his exchange he served in Tennessee and Alabama till the close of the war. He received his commission as brigadier-general of volunteers, Dec. 13, 1865, declined a captain's commission in the regular army, and was mustered out of the volunteer service, Jan. 31, 1866. He then studied in the Albany (N.Y.) law school, was graduated in 1867, and removed to Dandridge, Tenn., where he practised law. He was attorney-general of the state, 1869-73, and died in Knoxville, Tenn.. June 17, 1873.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor