History of Clarendon, (Rutland County) Vermont United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Clarendon, (Rutland County) Vermont, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Biographies:

George Foster Emmons, naval officer, was born in Clarendon, Vt., Aug. 23, 1811. He entered the U.S. navy, April 1, 1828, as midshipman, and studied at the Brooklyn naval school, being promoted passed midshipman in July, 1834. He accompanied Capt. Charles Wilkes on his exploring expedition around the world, 1838-42. He was promoted lieutenant, Feb. 25, 1841, and in the following July lost his vessel, the Peacock, which sunk at the mouth of the Columbia river, Oregon. He was then placed in command of a surveying expedition in Oregon and California, and in 1843 was on recruiting duty in Baltimore, Md. He served in the Brazilian squadron, 1843-46, and during the Mexican war rendered efficient service on the frigate Ohio. He was promoted commander, Jan. 28, 1856, and in 1861 was assigned to the vessel Hatteras in which he captured Cedar Keys, Fla., and Pass Christian, Miss., together with nearly twenty prizes. He was commissioned captain, Feb. 7, 1863, serving under Admiral Dahlgren, and in 1864-65 he commanded the Lackawanna in the Gulf of Mexico, rendering valuable service in destroying the Confederate ram Webb at New Orleans. He commanded the Ossipee which conveyed the United States commissioners to Alaska,, 1866-68, being the first to hoist the American flag over the territory. He was promoted commodore, Sept. 20, 1868; rear-admiral, Nov. 25. 1873, and was retired Aug. 23, 1873. He served on the ordnance board in 1869 and as chief of the hydrographic office in 1873. He is the author of: The Navy of the United States from 1775 to 1853 (1853). He died in Princeton, N.J., July 2, 1884.

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

George T. Hodges, representative, was born in Clarendon, Vt., July 4, 1759; son of Dr. Silas Hodges, a surgeon in the Continental army and a member of the staff of General Washington. George received a good education and settled in Rutland, where he engaged in the mercantile business. He served in both houses of the state legislature, and was a representative in the 34th congress, 1856-57, having been elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Meacham. He was a director of the Bank of Rutland, 1825-60, and its president, 1834-60; a director and vice-president of the Rutland and Burlington railroad from its organization, and a prominent member of the Vermont Agricultural society. He died in Rutland, Vt., Sept. 9, 1860.

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