Orleans

DWINELL, Joseph Elmer

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 116 
(portrait p 116)

Joseph Elmer DWINELL, of Glover [Orleans County, Vermont], was born 30 April 
1830 in Keene [Cheshire County], New Hampshire, son of Joseph Hammond and 
Almira (HOLBROOK) DWINELL. His ancestry, of French origin upon the father's 
side, can be traced back to an early date in the settlement of the New World. 
His grandfather of six generations back settled in Topsfield [Essex County], 
Massachusetts, in 1672, where he became the possessor of an extensive 
property, owning all the land from Middleton to Wenham [Essex County, 
Massachusetts]. His mother's ancestor, Thomas HOLBROOK, was English and came 
from the mother country in 1624, becoming one of the original settlers of 
Weymouth [Norfolk County], Massachusetts, where he died at an advanced age, a 
prominent and wealthy man. The subject of this sketch possesses in a marked 
degree the suavity and ideality of a Frenchman, combined with the pride and 
energy of an Englishman. When he was about two years of age, his father 
moved to Glover, which has since been his home, except for a short time, when 
he was at St. Johnsbury, White River Junction, and Island Pond. He received 
his education in the common and high schools of the town, his school days 
coming before the founding of the Orleans Liberal Institute, of which 
institution he has long been a trustee, treasurer, and much of the time 
chairman of the executive committee.

In 1853 he bought a half interest in his father's business of furniture 
dealer, manufacturer, and undertaker. His brother Charles soon assumed his 
father's place in the firm, and under the name of J. E. and C. H. DWINELL, 
they carried on the largest and most flourishing furniture trade at that time 
in Orleans County, keeping warerooms at Barton, Barton Landing, and 
Greensboro [all in Orleans County, Vermont; since 1909 Barton Landing known 
as Orleans]. He still has an interest in the business, though not as 
actively engaged in it as formerly. He has filled many offices of trust in 
town and county with ability; acted for several years as constable, 
collector, and deputy sheriff; has employed much of his time in the 
settlement of estates, for which work he seems eminently adapted; has been 
for the last ten years a director of the Barton National Bank; during 
1873-1874 was a partner with his brother, the late D. Lyman DWINELL, as a dry 
goods merchant in Glover; has at times been quite extensively engaged in the 
lumber trade; is at present chairman of the town school board.

On 09 October 1856 he [Joseph Elmer DWINELL] married Eliza M., daughter of 
the late Amos Phelps and Phila (SARTWELL) BEAN, of Glover [Orleans County, 
Vermont]. Eight children have been born to them, four of whom lived to 
maturity: Fred Elmer, Harley Joseph, Alice Eliza (Mrs. Henry Ralph CUTLER), 
and Edith May (Mrs. Arthur Charles McDOWELL). Mr. DWINELL is passionately 
fond of music, and was one of the original founders of the Orleans Musical 
Association; has had great influence in bringing that organization to its 
present enviable position, having served as one of its officers from the 
lowest to the highest grade; has been a member of the choir in Glover for 
fifty-three years; has been chorister of the Congregational church for twenty 
years. Democrat. A firm Universalist in religious preference, though he 
ever advocates that a spirit of brotherly love should unite all sects; was 
for many years superintendent of the Universalist Sunday school.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly