Franklin

JENNE, James Nathaniel

1st Biography of James Nathaniel JENNE

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 220-221 
(portrait p 220)

James Nathaniel JENNE, of St. Albans [Franklin County, Vermont], was born 21 
December 1859 in Berkshire [Franklin County, Vermont, son of John Gilbert and 
Charlotte T. (WOODSWORTH) JENNE. Having received his preparatory education 
in the Enosburg Falls graded schools, he entered the medical department of 
the University of Vermont and graduated therefrom in 1881. He afterward 
attended for four years the regular courses of the Post Graduate Medical 
School of New York, from which he took a diploma in 1890. Began the practice 
of medicine at Georgia [Franklin County, Vermont], remaining there until 
1887, when he established himself at St. Albans, and at once attained a high 
standing in his profession, and won an enviable reputation as a skillful 
surgeon. Elected a member of the Franklin County Society, Clinical Society 
of New York, American Medical Association, and the Vermont State Medical 
Society, he was made president of the latter in 1890. Previous to this date 
he was a member of its board of censors, and he has been a delegate on 
several occasions to the societies of other states, and to the American 
Medical Association. In 1890 he was chosen a member of the board of 
consulting surgeons of the Mary Fletcher Hospital, to which position he has 
been elected annually since that time. In 1892 was invited to fill the chair 
of adjunct professor of materia medica in the medical department of the U. V. 
M., and in 1893 to the chair of materia medica.

In 1889 Dr. JENNE was commissioned assistant surgeon First Regiment Vermont 
National Guard, and the following year was promoted to the office of surgeon, 
which was subsequently followed by his advancement to the position of brigade 
surgeon with the rank of lieutenant colonel, which office he now holds. He 
is a member of the A. O. F. of A. [Ancient Order of Foresters of America], and 
of the Masonic fraternity; in the latter organization he is affiliated with 
Franklin Lodge, Champlain Chapter, and Lafayette Commandery. In September 
1883 Dr. [James Nathaniel] JENNE was united in marriage to Abbie, daughter of 
Hiram and Miranda (GILMORE) CUSHMAN.



2nd Biography of James Nathaniel JENNE

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, pp 236-237

Dr. James Nathaniel JENNE, Burlington [Chittenden County], Vermont, was born 
21 December 1859 at Berkshire [Franklin County], Vermont, son of John Gilbert 
and Charlotte T. (WOODSWORTH) JENNE. Educated at Enosburg Falls High School 
[Franklin County], University of Vermont College of Medicine, graduating 
1881; New York Post Graduate School and Hospital, 1891; one winter abroad, 
attending foreign medical schools. Practiced his profession in Georgia 
[Franklin County, Vermont] from 1881-1887, when he removed to St. Albans 
[Franklin County], and engaged in private practice; chief surgeon to the 
Central Vermont Railroad system, 1887-1897; adjunct professor of material 
medica in the University of Vermont College of Medicine, 1891-1893; professor 
of materia medica and therapeutics, 1893-1911; professor of therapeutics and 
clinical medicine, 1911 to date. Was secretary and treasurer of the college 
from 1908-1909. Member, board of consulting surgeons of the St. Albans 
Hospital, 1886-1903, when he removed to Burlington [Chittenden County, 
Vermont]. In 1890 elected to the board of consulting surgeons of the Mary 
Fletcher Hospital and retained that position almost continuously to 1904, 
when he was elected attending physician and still retains that connection.

In 1889 commissioned second lieutenant and assistant surgeon First Regiment 
Vermont National Guard, serving about ten years, having attained the rank of 
surgeon general, to which rank and grade he was reappointed for the second 
term, serving successively on the staffs of Gov. U. A. WOODBURY and Gov. 
Josiah GROUT. In 1898 appointed by President McKINLEY as major chief surgeon 
of the U. S. Volunteers, which position he held for about one year, serving 
successively on the staff of General C. C. COMPTON, James F. WADE and Joseph 
C. BRECKENRIDGE, and was stationed the greater part of the time at 
Chickamauga Park and connected with the First and Third army corps, and at 
Fortress Monroe attached to the Josiah Simpson General Hospital.

Independent Republican. Congregationalist. Ex-president Franklin County 
Medical Society, and the Vermont State Medical Society, member of its board 
of censors for several years; member Clinical Society of the City of New 
York, and the American Medical Association, of which he has been for several 
terms, and still is the delegate Vermont State Medical Society. Member 
Franklin Lodge No. 4, Free & Accepted Masons; Champlain Chapter, Royal Arch 
Masons; Lafayette Commandery, Knights Templar, and the Research Club of the 
University, the Twentieth Century Club, Algonquin and other clubs. In 1883 
[Dr. James Nathaniel JENNE] married [Miss?] Abbie CUSHMAN of Georgia 
[Franklin County, Vermont].

Submitted by Cathy Kubly