Windsor

PAINE, Milton Kendall

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 294 
(portrait p 294)

Milton Kendall PAINE, of Windsor [Windsor County, Vermont], was born 15 July 
1834 in Boston [Suffolk County], Massachusetts, son of Isaac and Martha Locke 
(RIGGS) PAINE. He is of English descent. When WASHINGTON assumed command of 
the Revolutionary forces at Cambridge, Milton's great great grandfather, 
William PAINE, then in the eighty-third year of his age, entered the camp 
accompanied by his son and two grandsons, and when the general questioned him 
with regard to his own presence there, he replied that he was there to 
encourage his son and grandsons and see that they did their duty to their 
country. Milton Kendall PAINE received his educational training at the 
common and high schools of Chelsea [Orange County, Vermont], but before 
attaining his fifteenth year he entered the drug store of A. & H. Wardner of 
Windsor as clerk, and seven years afterward started in that business in the 
same town, with a capital of thirty dollars, running in debt for his entire 
stock. So successful was he, owing to his prudence and energy, that in two 
years he was free from all pecuniary obligations and had built up a trade 
that was ever widely increasing.

A man of original mind and natural inventive faculty, developed by careful 
observation even in his youthful days, he began the preparation of perfumes 
by processes originated by himself, and later compounded the "Wild Cherry 
Tonic," which had an immense sale, not only in the state, but in various 
parts of the Union. His crowning effort was the invention of Paine's Celery 
Compound, of which the local sales were immediately enormous, and the 
medicine is now known and used throughout much of the civilized world. Mr. 
PAINE has also originated many appliances for the economical manufacture of 
medicines, and has received several U. S. patents for articles of practical 
value. His health failing after nearly forty years of arduous application to 
his profession, he disposed of his stock in trade, and on 19 March 1887 sold 
his interest in the Celery Compound to Wells & Richardson Company of 
Burlington. He retired from active business 20 April 1888, one of the oldest 
and most widely known druggists of the state.

An active Republican, attesting his faith by his works, he has held several 
official positions; was a member of the staff of Governor FARNHAM in 1881, 
receiving the rank of colonel; in 1888 was elected the Windsor County member 
of the state Republican committee, which position he still holds; is a 
justice of the peace; was for two years president of the Vermont 
Pharmaceutical Association; was an incorporator, and has been for four years 
past the treasurer of the Vermont society, Sons of the American Revolution; 
is treasurer of the Old South Congregational Church at Windsor, and 
superintendent of the Sabbath school; in the Masonic order has attained an 
eminent position, having reached the thirty-third degree, and is one of the 
senior member of the Supreme Council in the state of Vermont. In May 1857 
Mr. [Milton Kendall] PAINE married Helen A., daughter of Dr. Horace AUSTIN, 
of Athol [Worcester County], Massachusetts, whom he had the misfortune to 
lose by death in September 1864. She left one daughter, Jennie Louise PAINE, 
now Mrs. W. R. SHELDON, of Charlestown [Sullivan County], New Hampshire. On 
06 May 1872 he [Milton Kendall PAINE] wedded Mrs. Mary (LEMMEX) SMITH, 
daughter of William H. and Elvira (WARNER) LEMMEX, of Windsor [Windsor 
County, Vermont].

Submitted by Cathy Kubly