Franklin

HANLEY, Thomas H.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, part III, 
pp 12-13 of 20 leaves

Thomas H. HANLEY, of Boston [Suffolk County, Massachusetts], was born 14 
December 1862 in St. Albans [Franklin County, Vermont], son of Lawrence and 
Ellen HANLEY. Left his studies at the age of ten and started out with a 
strong determination to make his mark in the world. First secured a position 
as bell boy in the Welden House in St. Albans, and in this capacity won the 
good will and friendship of some of the Central Vermont railroad officials 
who resided in the house, and who had been attracted to the boy by his 
brightness and natural business instinct. A year or two later, in 
September 1879, when there was a vacancy in one of the railroad offices, he 
became an employee of the railroad company; the opening in the Central 
Vermont offices was his opportunity and he seized it. His career since as a 
railroad man has been one of rapid advancement, for in less than a dozen 
years he has risen from office boy to his present responsible position of New 
England passenger agent of the Central Vermont system. From boy in the 
general auditing department, he was in 1880 promoted to the position of entry 
clerk in the office of the general passenger agent, and later was 
successively distributing clerk, chief clerk in the ticket department; rate 
and division clerk of the general passenger department; in June 1887 sent to 
Boston as assistant ticket agent; later placed in full charge of the Boston 
office; in April 1890 appointed New England passenger agent with control of 
all the agencies in New England. In his position Mr. HANLEY has shown marked 
ability, has inspired the confidence and respect of the public, and has also 
done much to advance the material interests of the road he represents.

Outside of business he is a man of wide popularity, being the possessor of 
many fine social qualities; is a musician of more than local renown; has a 
tenor voice of remarkable range and quality; has been heard at the musical 
conventions in Vermont as well as at many public gatherings at Boston; in 
1884 at Rutland, Mary HOWE, the Brattleboro songstress, and Mr. HANLEY sang 
together at a complimentary concert given in their honor "as representative 
singers of the State of Vermont." Member of the Vermont Association; the 
Apollo Club, a musical organization; the Clover Club, of Boston; since 
January of the present year president of the Railroad and Steamboat Agents 
Association, of Boston. On 20 October 1886 he [Thomas H. HANLEY] was married 
to Caroline FOSTER [submitter assumption FOSTER a surname], of St. Albans 
[Franklin County, Vermont], a granddaughter of Hon. Bradley BARLOW, and of 
three children born to the couple, one is now living. Mr. HANLEY resides at 
Boston Highlands.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly