Windham

ESTEY, Jacob, Jacob G., Julius Harry & Julius J.

Biography of Jacob ESTEY (father of Julius J.)

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 124-127

Jacob ESTEY, late of Brattleboro [Windham County, Vermont], was born 30 
September 1814 in Hinsdale [Cheshire County], New Hampshire, son of Isaac and 
Patty (FORBES) ESTEY. Isaac ESTEY, his [Jacob's] grandfather, was a farmer 
and resided in Sutton [Worcester County], Massachusetts. The eldest son, 
Isaac (father of Jacob) and his brother Israel settled in Hinsdale, New 
Hampshire, where they built a saw mill and engaged in the manufacture of 
lumber. The enterprise, however, proved far from prosperous, and as the 
statute law then permitted imprisonment for debt, under its provisions Isaac 
ESTEY was arrested and thrown into the county jail as a debtor. Upon his 
release he resorted to agriculture for the support of himself and family, and 
passed the remainder of his life in that pursuit.

Jacob ESTEY was adopted when four years old [by his given birthdate, between 
30 September 1818 and 30 September 1819] by a wealthy family in Hinsdale. 
After spending nine years under their roof, at the age of thirteen [between 
30 September 1827 and 30 September 1828] he left his foster parents and 
walked to Worcester [Worcester County], Massachusetts, where one of his elder 
brothers resided. The following four years he labored upon farms in the 
towns of Rutland [Rutland County, Vermont], Millbury [Milbury, Worcester 
County, Massachusetts], and vicinity. When seventeen years old he 
apprenticed himself to T. & J. Sutton of Worcester [Worcester in Worcester 
County, Massachusetts, or Worcester in Washington County, Vermont?], in order 
to acquire a mastery of the plumber's trade, and of the manufacture of lead 
pipe. Before the attainment of his majority he resolved to establish himself 
in business, and for this purpose removed to Brattleboro [Windham County, 
Vermont], where he was successful from the beginning, and established the 
reputation for ability and probity which he always retained.

In 1848 he erected a large building and rented the upper part of it to the 
proprietors of a small melodeon factory, but as they were unable to pay the 
stipulated rent, Mr. ESTEY accepted, in 1850, an interest in their business 
in liquidation of his claims, and a few years afterwards purchased the entire 
establishment. To this new industry he gave close attention, striving for 
its enlargement and the development of its promising possibilities, and in 
the course of a few years he deemed it expedient to dispose of his plumbing 
business and devote himself exclusively to the making of organs. With this 
determination he erected a second and larger building, but in the fall of 
1857 a conflagration consumed both structures. Though at once rebuilt, 
another fire in 1864 destroyed the new creation, and a very much larger one 
was promptly erected in order to furnish ample room for the storage of the 
immense quantities of material that were needed for the prosecution of the 
business.

In 1866 his son-in-law, Levi K. FULLER, and his son, Julius J. ESTEY, were 
admitted to partnership with himself. In 1869 the sudden overflow of the 
stream near which their factory was located caused the death by drowning of 
one of their workmen, carried off lumber to the value of several thousand 
dollars, and greatly endangered the safety of the manufactory. To avoid the 
repetition of similar disasters, the company selected higher ground, and on 
this have erected nine large facilities, each three stories high, together 
with large dry houses and the necessary buildings for boilers and engines, 
with immense storage and packing houses.

On 02 May 1837 he [Jacob ESTEY] was married to [Miss] Desdemona [WOOD], 
daughter of David and Anna Kendal WOOD, of Brattleboro [Windham County, 
Vermont]. Three children were born to this union, the eldest of whom is not 
living; the two remaining are: Abby E., Mrs. Levi K. FULLER; and Julius J. 
Mr. [Jacob] ESTEY was ever a strong advocate of the principles of the 
Republican party, and in 1868-1869 he represented Brattleboro in the state 
Legislature. He was also a member of the state Senate from Windham County in 
the biennial sessions of 1872 and 1874, and rendered most excellent service 
in that body. He was one of the principal movers in the organization of the 
First Baptist Church in Brattleboro in 1840, and was during life one of its 
most active and liberal supporters. His [Jacob ESTEY's] death, on 15 April 
1890, was a great loss to the community in which for so many years he had 
lived.

Biography of Julius J. ESTEY
(son of Jacob; father of Jacob Gray & Julius Harry)

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 126-127 
(portrait p 126)

Julius J. ESTEY, of Brattleboro, was born in January 1845 in Brattleboro 
[Windham County, Vermont], son of Jacob and Desdemona (WOOD) ESTEY. Educated 
in the public schools of his native place and at the celebrated Norwich 
Military University. He did not complete the full course, however, as he was 
admitted by his father into the business established in 1846, which has now 
become so justly famous, the manufacture of the Estey organs. At his 
majority in 1866, he was admitted as a full partner in the firm of J. Estey & 
Company (afterwards known as the Estey Organ Company), which was comprised of 
Jacob ESTEY, Julius J. ESTEY, and Levi K. FULLER. As treasurer, before and 
since his revered father's death in 1890, he has contributed greatly to the 
large and highly successful business of organ manufacturing. General ESTEY 
is, and has been for years, president of the Peoples National Bank of 
Brattleboro, one of the soundest and most progressive banking institutions in 
the state.

Mr. ESTEY is first and foremost a thorough business man, but he is also a 
leading factor in state affairs, having represented the town of Brattleboro 
in the Legislature in 1876, and having served as state senator from Windham 
County for the biennial term beginning in 1882, his services in both bodies 
being particularly creditable both to his party and himself. He was 
appointed a delegate-at-large from Vermont to the Republican national 
convention in 1888, where his influence and good work was felt and 
appreciated by his associates. At an early age he became interested in 
military affairs, serving in the National Guard of Vermont. In 1874 he was 
elected captain of Company I, known since as the Estey Guard. In 1876 he was 
appointed by Gov. Horace FAIRBANKS a member of his military staff with the 
rank of colonel, and in 1881 was elected lieutenant colonel of the Vermont 
National Guard, which position he held until his election as colonel in 1886. 
In 1892 he was promoted to the command brigade, with the rank of brigadier 
general, which position he still holds. It is a matter of record that 
General ESTEY has always commanded one of the finest and best disciplined 
military bodies in the New England states. He is considerate, polite, and 
popular with his men, who love and respect their leader as few similar 
organizations do. This is due as much perhaps to the strong Christian 
character of the man as to his soldierly qualities, for not the least portion 
of his life has been exerted in active service for his church, where he has 
always successfully endeavored to inspire higher and nobler work in the 
denomination to which he belongs.

In 1867 he [Julius J. ESTEY] married Florence, daughter of Dr. Henry GRAY of 
Cambridge [Washington County], New York, from which union he has been blessed 
with three sons: Jacob Gray, Julius Henry, and Guy Carpenter. Mr. ESTEY has 
been president of the Baptist State Sunday School Association, and for the 
past ten years has held the presidency of the board of managers of the 
Baptist state convention. He has been a great benefactor to and worker in 
the Sunday school of his church, which he has fostered and encouraged to the 
utmost. Among the educational facilities of the state which he has 
particularly promoted is the Vermont Academy of Saxton's River [Windham 
County], which is now one of the foremost institutions of learning in 
Vermont; he has for some years been the treasurer of this institution; has 
for many years been a member of the board of trustees of the school for young 
men at Mount Hermon and the Northfield Seminary, for young ladies at 
Northfield [both Mount Hermon and Northfield in Franklin County], 
Massachusetts, both of which were established by Mr. D. L. MOODY, the 
evangelist. Of the latter institution he is also treasurer. Since the 
organization of the Young Men's Christian Association of Brattleboro, General 
ESTEY has served as its president and has been one of its most liberal 
supporters and trusted leaders. His interest in this organization, however, 
is not confined to the local organization, but he has for years been active 
in the state gatherings and chairman of the state executive committee. His 
benevolence and charity to deserving objects is too well known to require 
especial mention. He has won the highest encomiums of his associates and 
fellow men, and has always led an active and upright life.

Biography of Jacob Gray ESTEY
(grandson of Jacob; son of Julius J.; brother of Julius Harry)

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 183

Jacob Gray ESTEY, manufacturer, Brattleboro, was born 02 August 1871 at 
Brattleboro [Windham County, Vermont], son of Julius J. and Florence (GRAY) 
ESTEY. Educated at Brattleboro public schools, Vermont Academy, Saxtons 
River [Windham County], and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Is 
president of the Estey Organ Company, vice president of the Estey Piano 
Company, and president of the People's National Bank. Served as a major of 
the First Vermont Infantry in the war with Spain, 1898. Republican. 
Baptist. Mason; and a member of New York Athletic, Army and Navy, and other 
city clubs. In 1892 he [Jacob Gray ESTEY] married [Miss?] Mattie H. POOR of 
Peabody [Essex County], Massachusetts; they have two sons: Jacob Peter and 
Joseph Gray.

Biography of Julius Harry ESTEY
(grandson of Jacob; son of Julius J.; brother of Jacob Gray)

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 183-184

Julius Harry ESTEY, manufacturer, Brattleboro, was born 09 July 1874 in 
Brattleboro [Windham County, Vermont], son of Julius J. and Florence (GRAY) 
ESTEY. Graduated with the class of 1892 from Brattleboro High School. 
Entered the employ of Estey Organ Company in 1892; is treasurer of the 
company and of the Estey Piano Company of New York. Trustee and member of 
the investment board of the Brattleboro Savings Bank. Served fifteen years 
in the Vermont National Guard, including U. S. service with the First 
Regiment in the Spanish-American war, 1898. Was captain and adjutant of the 
regiment for nine years. Republican, but party free in all local and state 
matters; interested in village, town and state affairs, but not politically. 
Baptist. Member of Brattleboro Lodge No. 102, Free & Accepted Masons; Fort 
Dummer Chapter No. 12, Royal Arch Masons; Connecticut Valley Council No. 16, 
Royal & Select Masons; Beauseant Commandery No. 7, Knights Templar; Mt. Sinai 
Temple, Mystic Shrine; a 32 degree Mason; member Rutland Lodge No. 345, 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Vermont Society of Foreign Wars; and 
Vermont Wheel Club. In 1895 he [Julius Harry ESTEY] married [Miss?] 
Allethaire CHASE of Brattleboro; they have two children: Paul Chase and 
Allethaire Gray.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly