Franklin

HOBART, John White

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 195-196 
(portrait p 196)

John White HOBART, of St. Albans [Franklin County, Vermont], was born 23 
August 1829 in Randolph [Orange County, Vermont], son of Thomas S. and Mary 
(PACKARD) HOBART. The subject is of English descent, and was educated at 
Orange County grammar school, and at Thetford Academy [Orange County] under 
the tuition of Hiram B. ORCUTT. The traits of character which were to bring 
success to young HOBART early manifested themselves, and before reaching 
man's estate he was fighting the battle of life unaided. At the age of 
eighteen he entered the employment of the Vermont Central Railroad in the 
train department. In 1848, several months before the railroad was completed, 
and during the period of this employment, he had more or less to do with the 
construction of the line.

In 1849 the railroad was opened to Montpelier [Washington County] on 04 July 
1849, and Mr. HOBART was appointed station agent at the Capital. Ten years 
of faithful service in this capacity was rewarded by a further recognition of 
his ability and usefulness, and in March 1859 he was made master of 
transportation. This position he held fourteen years, and at its close had 
completed a quarter of a century of active service for the Vermont Central 
corporation, commencing his second quarter as general superintendent of the 
railroad and its leased lines in 1873. The growth of the railroad, and its 
extension by branch railroads built and other railroads leased, furnished a 
large field, requiring more extended supervision, and in 1883 he was made 
general manager of the Central Vermont system. Continued application will 
tell on the strongest constitution, and though capable of more physical 
endurance than the average man, Mr. HOBART had to succumb to impaired health, 
and on 01 June 1891, for that reason, resigned his position, after having 
been in the employment of the company forty-three years.

During a large part of the period of his service as general superintendent 
and general manager, the railroad management was harassed by vexatious 
litigation, extending over a long period, and making heavy demands on the 
time and ability of the president, the late ex-Governor John Gregory SMITH, 
and compelling him to depend largely, and at times entirely, upon his general 
superintendent and manager in all affairs connected with the operations of 
the railroad; how thoroughly and ably the many duties of the latter were 
performed is shown by its prosperity, notwithstanding it was so heavily 
handicapped during that period, a prosperity that John W. HOBART helped to 
make possible. His reputation as an able railroad manager has extended far 
beyond his native state, and he has several times received offers from 
corporations, notably the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the New Orleans & 
Mobile. These offers with large salaries connected with them would have 
persuaded many less unselfish natures, but through them all his loyalty to 
the old Central Vermont never swerved, nor his love for the Green Mountain 
state in which he was content to pass his life.

He never aspired to any political office, though in 1870 he was elected a 
member of the Constitutional Committee. He is a member of the several local 
branches of the Masonic fraternity, and was district deputy grand master for 
a term. Mr. HOBART is associated with many of the local enterprises in the 
town of St. Albans, to which his well-balanced judgment and business 
instincts are a tower of strength. He is a member of St. Luke's Episcopal 
Church, and a generous contributor to its support. His genial disposition 
and universal courtesy makes him essentially a man of the people. No 
corporation ever had a manager who so generally commanded the esteem of all 
classes of employees. On 18 January 1853 in Royalton [Windsor County, 
Vermont] he [John White HOBART] was married to Mary Jane, daughter of Luther 
and Mary Jacobs (LYMAN) HOWE. They have one son, Norman L.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly