James Hartness [SEP] position held
James Hartness
James Hartness (September 3, 1861 – February 2, 1934) was an American inventor; a mechanical engineer; an entrepreneur who mentored other inventors to develop their machine tool products and create a thriving industrial center in southeastern Vermont; an amateur astronomer who fostered the construction of telescopes by amateurs in his town; an early aviator who built one of Vermont's first airports; and the 58th Governor of Vermont from 1921 to 1923.
Biographical.
Hartness was born in Schenectady, New York, one of
Herbert T. Kelley was the husband of Babbitt's daughter Madeline and served as the company's Secretary.)
A Republican, Babbitt served on numerous civic committees, and held several local government offices, including Village Trustee and Town Meeting Moderator. From 1910 to 1912 he served in the Vermont House of Representatives.
Babbitt served in the Vermont State Senate from 1912 to 1913 and was the Senate's President pro tem.
In 1920 Babbitt was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor, losing the Republican nomination to James Hartness.