Caledonia

GLEASON, Joseph Thomas

1st Biography of Joseph Thomas GLEASON

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 156-157 
(portrait p 157)

Joseph Thomas GLEASON, Lyndonville [Caledonia County, Vermont], was born 18 
June 1844 in Lunenburg [Essex County, Vermont], son of George and Sabrina 
(THOMAS) GLEASON. He is the seventh in lineal descent from John HOWE of 
Sudbury [Middlesex County], Massachusetts, whose progenitor was John HOWE, a 
Warwickshire squire, and kinsman of Sir Charles HOWE of Lancaster in the 
reign of Charles I. John HOWE of Sudbury was one of the petitioners in 1657 
for the grant constituting the town of Marlboro [Middlesex County], 
Massachusetts. Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of Joseph Thomas 
GLEASON served in the war of the Revolution, the latter holding a commission 
as lieutenant in a New Hampshire regiment. His [Joseph Thomas GLEASON's] 
grandfather, Joseph GLEASON, came to Lunenburg in 1802, where for half a 
century he was deacon in the Congregational church. His [Joseph Thomas 
GLEASON's] father, George GLEASON, eighty-four years of age, lives in 
Lunenburg, one of its solid men, a former captain of militia and a deacon of 
the Baptist church.

After receiving his education in the schools of Lunenburg Joseph Thomas 
GLEASON enlisted in December 1861 in Company K, Eighth Regiment Vermont 
Volunteers, drilled with the regiment for a brief period, and was then 
rejected on account of his extreme youth. Anxious still to serve his country 
in her hour of peril he re-enlisted in Company E, Fifteenth Vermont 
Volunteers, in August 1862. When the regiment took up route for Gettysburg 
Mr. GLEASON, ordered to the hospital by the surgeon on account of illness, 
refused to obey and marched with his command to Gettysburg, serving with it 
until it was honorably discharged at the close of its period of enlistment. 
During the war he contracted disabilities from which he has never fully 
recovered.

After his return he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1874 he began the 
study of law in the office of Joseph P. LAMSON, Esq., of Cabot [Washington 
County, Vermont], and then pursued his professional researches under W. W. 
EATON, Esq., of West Concord [Essex County, Vermont], until the spring of 
1875, when he opened an office for himself. He was admitted to practice at 
the Vermont bar in 1876 and entered into copartnership with O. F. HARVEY, 
Esq., at West Concord, which connection was dissolved in 1877 [1878?]. A 
year afterward he removed to Lyndonville [Caledonia County], where he was the 
first member of his profession to open an office and where he now resides. 
Well read in the law and trusted by the people of the vicinity, he has built 
up a large general practice embracing the settlement of many estates, while 
of all the suits he has brought, he has never lost but one.

His title of judge he derives from his election to an associate judgeship of 
the Caledonia County court. Coming to Lyndonville two years before its 
incorporation, Judge GLEASON drew up its charter, put it through the 
Legislature and at once took a prominent part in settlement of the many 
questions that would naturally arise in the new town and was identified with 
every step of its progress. His readiness of speech and clearness of 
statement gave him a prominent place in the deliberative assemblies of 
Lyndon, where, a stanch Republican, he has been for several years auditor and 
moderator, also serving since 1886 as chairman of the Republican town 
committee.

Judge GLEASON is a Congregationalist in his religious belief; has taken a 
deep and abiding interest in the Masonic order; member of Crescent Lodge 
No. 66, Free & Accepted Masons, Lyndonville; Palestine Commandery Knights 
Templar; Caledonia Council Royal & Select Masons; Haswell Royal Arch Chapter 
of St. Johnsbury; serving his second term as Grand Patron of the Grand 
Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star of Vermont; member of Farnsworth Post 
No. 106, Grand Army of the Republic, of Lyndonville and is its efficient 
adjutant. He owns and resides in one of the handsome mansions of 
Lyndonville. On 09 September 1884 he [Joseph Thomas GLEASON] married Mary 
S., daughter of Roswell and Laodicea (HOLBROOK) ALDRICH; they have one 
daughter, Louise M. Judge GLEASON serves as an illustration of a typical New 
Englander, who coming out of the war broken in health and without a dollar, 
commanded success from adverse circumstances.



2nd Biography of Joseph Thomas GLEASON

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 202

Joseph Thomas GLEASON, lawyer, Lyndonville [Caledonia County, Vermont], was 
born 18 June 1844 at Lunenburg [Essex County, Vermont], son of George and 
Sabrina W. (THOMAS) GLEASON. Both his great grandfathers served in the 
Revolutionary War, his maternal ancestor being a lieutenant in a New Hampshire 
regiment. Educated in the public schools of Lunenburg. In December 1861 
enlisted in Company K, Eighth Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, but was rejected 
on account of his youth. In August 1862 enlisted in Company E, Fifteenth 
Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, serving until discharged at the expiration of 
his enlistment; was in the battle of Gettysburg. Followed farming until 
1874; studied law in the office of J. P. SANBORN, Cabot [Washington County, 
Vermont], and with W. W. EASTON, Concord; admitted to the Vermont bar in 
1876; was in partnership with O. F. HARVEY at Concord [Essex County] from 
1876 to 1878 [note the first biography indicates this partnership was 
dissolved in 1877]; opened first law office at Lyndonville, where he has 
since resided. Is director and vice president of the Masonic Building 
Association; clerk, treasurer, and manager of Lyndon Building Company; 
director and vice president National Bank of Lyndon; trustee of Lyndon 
Institute. Republican; chairman of the town committee twelve years; county 
committee four years; moderator town, village, and school meetings many 
years; served as town clerk, treasurer, auditor, agent, etc.; assistant judge 
Caledonia County court; senator from Caledonia County. Congregationalist; 
church trustee. Member Crescent Lodge No. 66, Free & Accepted Masons; 
Palestine Commandery, Knights Templar; Caledonia Council, Royal & Select 
Masons; and Haswell Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of St. Johnsbury. Has served 
two terms as grand patron of the Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, of 
Vermont; is a member of Farnsworth Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of 
Lyndonville, of which he has been adjutant and commander. In 1884 he [Joseph 
Thomas GLEASON] married Mary S. ALDRICH of Concord [Essex County, Vermont]; 
they have one daughter, Louise Mary, Mrs. W. N. HUMPHREY of Pasadena [Los 
Angeles County], California.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly