| Birth: | Jan. 8, 1818
Saxtons River
Windham County
Vermont, USA | | Death: | Feb. 17, 1884
New York
New York County
New York, USA | 
Adjutant General of Vermont. Prominent businessman and civic leader. Son of Horace Baxter, noted attorney and Probate Judge in Windsor County. Attended local schools in Windham and Windsor Counties. Moved to Boston and became clerk in local business. Returned to Vermont and opened dry goods store in Bellows Falls. Entered construction business, received contract to grade rail bed and lay track near Bellows Falls for Rutland and Burlington Railroad. Success in completing this work led to more contracts for construction on the Rutland and Burlington as well as work for other lines including Western Vermont Railroad. Married Eliza Wales of Bellows Falls, December 21, 1841. No children. Eliza died, September 8, 1849. Married Mary E. Roberts of Manchester, December 18, 1851. Two children, Henry (1856-60), and Hugh Henry, born October 2, 1861. Expanded construction business outside Vermont, including building of entire Cleveland and Toledo Railroad. Returned to Vermont, settled in Rutland. Purchased Rutland Marble Company with two partners. Subsequently became sole owner. Built mansion which became local landmark, 1858. Breeder of prize winning cattle and race horses. Adjutant General, Vermont militia, 1859-61. Commended for taking measures to prepare militia for mobilization in anticipation of Civil War. Recruited and mustered in first Vermonters activated for wartime service, 1861. Contributed personal funds to clothing and equipping first units organized for Civil War and rode at head of First Vermont Regiment as it departed for war. Founder and President, Rutland County Bank, 1861. Questions about transactions during bank's organization caused him to relinquish management and sell Vermont business interests, 1863. Lived in both New York City and Rutland. Affiliated with New York Central Railroad and was its president prior to Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. Founder and President, Baxter National Bank, Rutland. Investor in several Rutland utility companies, including gaslights and waterworks. Director, Pacific Mail Steamship Company, Hannibal and St. Joseph Railway, Panama Railway Company, Continental Bank of New York. Major investor in Pullman Car Company and New York Elevated Railway. Took active role in managing several companies in which he had invested, until his health failed and he became an invalid. Continued to pursue and oversee investments until his death. Remains returned to Rutland for burial. Grand Army of the Republic post in Village of Gaysville, Town of Stockbridge was named for him. Family contributed funds for construction of HH Baxter Memorial Library, landmark which is in use today as Rutland Jewish Center.
| | | Burial:
Evergreen Cemetery
Rutland
Rutland County
Vermont, USA |
Created by: Bill McKern
Record added: Apr 10, 2006
Find A Grave Memorial# 13911519 |
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