Rollin Amsden
Rollin Amsden (June 19, 1829 - January 27, 1899) was a Vermont businessman and government official. A lifelong resident of Windsor County, Vermont, he served in town offices including constable, tax collector, and selectman. He also served as deputy sheriff and sheriff of Windsor County, and a member of the Vermont Senate. From 1890 to 1894, Amsden served as United States Marshal for the District of Vermont.
Rollin Amsden | |
|---|---|
| United States Marshal for the District of Vermont | |
| In office June 18, 1890 – June 9, 1894 | |
| Preceded by | John Robinson |
| Succeeded by | Emory S. Harris |
| Member of the Vermont Senate from Windsor County | |
| In office 1884–1886 Serving with Norman Paul, Elwin A. Howe | |
| Preceded by | Justus Dartt, James M. McIntosh, Elam M. Goodwin |
| Succeeded by | Chester Pierce, Henry A. Fletcher, Daniel L. Cushing |
| Sheriff of Windsor County, Vermont | |
| In office 1880–1884 | |
| Preceded by | Surrey W. Stimson |
| Succeeded by | Gardner J Wallace |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 19, 1829 West Windsor, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | January 27, 1899 (aged 69) Windsor, Vermont, U.S. |
| Resting place | Ascutney Cemetery, Windsor, Vermont |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Ann Wilder (m. 1851-1880, her death) Sophronia C. Lawrence (m. 1881-1899, his death) |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Businessman Government official |
Biography
Rollin Amsden was born in West Windsor, Vermont on June 19, 1829, a son of America Amsden and Anna Nancy (Child) Amsden.[1] He was raised and educated in West Windsor, and moved to Windsor in 1846 to begin an apprenticeship at the Robbins & Lawrence metalworking company.[1] Amsden was trained as a machinist, and worked at this trade until 1861.[1] During the American Civil War, he won a contract to finish rifles for the E. G. Lamson Company, and this work lasted until the end of the conflict in 1865.[1]
After the war, Amsden started a dealership in lumber, hardware, grain, and coal, which he operated successfully until his death.[1] He was also involved in other Windsor businesses, including serving on the board of directors of the Windsor National Bank and the Windsor Savings Bank.[2][3] In the 1890s, he served as superintendent of the Windsor Electric Light Company.[4]
A Republican, Amsdern was long active in Windsor's town government.[1] Among the offices in which he served were constable (1867-1870), selectman (1868-1869), and tax collector (1875-1880).[1] He also served as the town's overseer of the poor, as village president, and as high bailiff of Windsor County.[1][5][6]
In 1874, Amsden was a delegate to the state Republican convention.[7] From 1868 to 1880, Amsden was a deputy sheriff of Windsor County, and he served as sheriff from 1880 to 1884.[1] He was a delegate to the 1882 state Republican convention.[8] In 1884, Amsden was elected to represent Windsor County in the Vermont Senate, and he served one term.[1] He was appointed U.S. Marshal for Vermont in 1890, and he served until 1894.[1] In the mid-1890s, Amsden also served as warden of the state prison in Windsor.[9]
Death and burial
Amsden became ill in mid-January 1899.[1] He died at his home in Windsor on January 27, 1899.[1] Amsden was buried at Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor; at his request, several of his longtime current and former employees served as pallbearers.[1]
Family
In 1851, Amsden married Mary Ann Wilder (1827-1880).[1] They were the parents of three sons, Frank, Charles, and Henrie.[1] In 1881, Amsden married Sophronia C. Lawrence (1840-1907).[1]
References
Sources
Newspapers
- "Windsor Village Corporation Meeting". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. March 6, 1869. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Delegates to the State Convention". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. June 16, 1874. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- "County Officers Elect". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. October 12, 1876. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- "The Republican Caucus". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. June 24, 1882. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Annual Meeting: Windsor Savings Bank". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. January 19, 1884. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Windsor National Bank". Springfield Reporter. Springfield, VT. October 10, 1884. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Personal Mention: Rollin Amsden". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. December 3, 1897. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Hon. Rollin Amsden". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. February 4, 1899. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Meeting: Windsor Electric Light Co". Vermont Journal. Windsor, VT. February 18, 1899. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.