John Hill Walbridge Biographical Sketch
John Hill Walbridge of West Concord Vermont, was the son of Henry Walbridge and Almira (Hill) Walbridge, and was born in Plainfield, Vermont on June 30th 1847.
His mother dying in his earliest infancy, he was put under the charge of his maternal grand uncle, Chauncey Hill, an extensive farmer and highly respected citizen of Concord. Henry moved to St. Johns, Michigan, soon after the death of his wife, established himself there as a successful lawyer, and during the civil war served as captain in the 33d Mich. Vol. Infantry.
After having received his early education at the public schools of Concord and St. Johnsbury Academy, Mr. John H. Walbridge graduated from Lombard University, Galesburg, Illinois, in the class of 1870, in which year he returned to West Concord. At the earnest solicitation of his foster parents he decided to remain with them during the remainder of their lives. Soon after this time he met with severe reverses in business, from the loss by fire of the Essex woolen mills at West Concord, and subsequently through his liability as bondsman and by the failure of debtors. Since these losses he has been principally engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is locally well known as a successful breeder of sheep, dairy stock and colts.
John Hill Walbridge was wedded on April 19th 1872, at West Concord, to Cynthia H. Chase, daughter of Elmore Chase and Cynthia (Hill) Chase. They have three children: Henry Chase, Blanche May, and Winifred.
For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Walbridge has been affiliated with Moose River Lodge, No. 82, F. & A.M., and for three terms has presided in the East.
He has conscientiously and honorably discharged the duties of many official positions, among which may be numbered supervisor of schools for Essex county, to which post he was almost unanimously elected. He has been appointed county examiner, justice of the peace, grand juror, and superintendent of schools. In 1888 he was elected, by the largest Republican majority ever given in Concord, a member of the state Legislature, where he labored actively on the committee of education, and was recognized as an independent and forcible debater. He drew and presented a bill reducing the limit of exemption from taxation in savings banks, and also reducing the percentage that those institutions and trust companies could invest in Western securities, this last measure becoming a law. He also drafted and presented the bill which became the present law for the protection of horse owners. Mr. Walbridge is one of the trustees of the Johnson Normal School. He is an interested student of history and of current political and economic questions. His hearty good will to all, and genial manners, have gained him a wide circle of friends.