Charles Paine

Charles Paine (April 15, 1799 – July 6, 1853) was an American Whig politician, woolen mill owner, merchant, railroad builder, and the fifteenth Governor of Vermont.

Charles Paine
Official Vermont State House portrait
15th Governor of Vermont
In office October 15, 1841 – October 13, 1843
Lieutenant	Waitstill R. Ranney
Preceded by	Silas H. Jennison
Succeeded by	John Mattocks
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives
In office 1828–1830
Preceded by	John Starkweather
Succeeded by	Lebbeus Bennett
Personal details
Born	April 15, 1799 Williamstown, Vermont
Died	July 6, 1853 (aged 54) Waco, Texas
Resting place	Elmwood Cemetery, Northfield, Vermont
Political party	Whig
Domestic partner	Lorinda Stevens
Children	2
Alma mater	Harvard College
Profession	Businessman

Biography

Paine was the son of Elijah Paine and Sarah (Porter) Paine, and was born in Williamstown, Vermont. He graduated from Harvard University in 1820,[1][2] and became active in several business ventures. Though he never married, he had two children.[3]

Career

Paine moved to Northfield, Vermont in the early part of the nineteenth century to run the family woolen mill. He operated this business until it was destroyed by fire in 1848. He had various other business interests including a hotel and a store, but he is most often remembered as the individual who brought railroads to Vermont. He founded the Vermont Central Railroad and served as the first president of the company.[4]

In Northfield, Paine held the offices of Town Selectman and Moderator of the Town Meeting. In his political life he was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives from 1828 through 1829. He was the 15th Governor of Vermont from 1841 until 1843. During his tenure, a stricter accounting of public funds was established.[5]

As the founder and president of the Vermont Central Railroad Paine built its headquarters in his home town of Northfield, despite the hilly terrain, earning the enmity of residents of larger, more accessible nearby towns. In the extensive yard, engines and railroad cars were built and repaired.[6] In 1853 the Vermont Central Railroad went into bankruptcy due to overexpansion and, in some cases, mismanagement. The railroad was placed under receivership and renamed the Central Vermont Railroad. Its headquarters were moved to St. Albans.

Death

Paine died in Waco, Texas after three weeks of dysentery while helping the Southern Pacific Railroad choose a route. He is interred at Elmwood Cemetery, Northfield, Washington County, Vermont.[7] The home of the former governor, 75 South Main Street, Northfield, Vermont, is where the Northfield Historical Society is housed, connected to the Brown Public Library of the town.[8]

References

1. Porcellian Club of Harvard University (1857). Catalogue of the Porcellian Club of Harvard University. Cambridge, MA: Allen and Farnham. p. 32.
2. Harvard University (1900). Quinquennial Catalogue of the Officers and Graduates of Harvard University. Cambridge, MA: John Wilson and Son. p. 144.
3. "Charles Paine". National Governors Association. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
4. "Charles Paine". National Governors Association. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
5. "Charles Paine". National Governors Association. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
6. "Charles Paine". Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
7. "Charles Paine". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
8. "Charles Paine". Northfield Historical Society. Retrieved October 31, 2012.

Further reading

• New England Puritan (published in Boston), Thursday, August 4, 1853

External links

• The Political Graveyard
• Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce
• National Governors Association
• Charles Paine at Find a Grave
• Northfield Historical Society