Washington

PITKIN, Perley Peabody

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 316-318

Perley Peabody PITKIN, late of Montpelier [Washington County, Vermont], was 
born 09 March 1826 in Marshfield [Washington County, Vermont], son of Truman 
and Rebecca (DAVIS) PITKIN. It was his misfortune to early lose his mother, 
Rebecca (DAVIS) PITKIN, but his subsequent good fortune to be guided in his 
future conduct and studies by his grandfather, Gen. Parley DAVIS of 
Montepelier Centre, who was the first general surveyor of Washington County, 
and with his cousin, Col. Jacob DAVIS, first permanently settled in 
Montpelier. The general's grandfather was Major Stephen PITKIN, one of the 
first settlers in Marshfield. These ancestors [and] General PITKIN [had] the 
common attributes of great energy, a good judgment, and a strong mind, a kind 
and courteous disposition. The subject secured his education at the district 
schools and completed in the Washington County grammar school. Until the war 
he resided at East Montpelier. When the gold fever struck the community, Mr. 
PITKIN visited California and for three years was employed in trading and 
mining.

After his return to Montpelier he represented that town in the General 
Assembly during 1859 and 1860 and in the extra session, convened to take 
action on the war. On 06 June 1861, having volunteered his service, he was 
commissioned quartermaster of the Second Regiment Vermont Volunteers. In 
April 1862 he was promoted to assistant quartermaster of the volunteers with 
the rank of captain, and 08 July 1864, obedient to the wishes of his 
Governor, Colonel PITKIN resigned from the army to assume the office of state 
quartermaster general, which office he retained for a period of six years. 
In the memorable campaign of 1864 the wagon trains of the Army of the Potomac 
were under his direction; the supply of food, clothing and ammunition was 
largely under his management. During that time he had charge of the state 
arsenal with its large quantity of military stores, the major part of which 
he afterward disposed of to foreign governments, turning the proceeds into the 
treasury of the state. General GRANT wrote his memorable "fight it out on 
this line if it takes all summer" dispatch while General PITKIN waited to 
take it to Washington. A clear sketch of General PITKIN's military service 
can be found in BENEDICT's "Vermont in the Civil War," and in L. E. 
CHITTENDEN's "Personal Reminiscences" is a chapter on him.

Upon his return from the South, he located at Montpelier in business with 
Dennis LANE and James W. BROCK, and from that time on exerted a large 
influence both in the affairs of that company and the town. In 1872 General 
PITKIN represented Montpelier in the Legislature; was first selectman during 
1868-1870, 1874-1877, 1879-1880; commissioner of Green Mount cemetery from 02 
March 1880; a director of the First National Bank from 09 January 1866; a 
director of the National Life Insurance Company and member of its finance 
committee from January 1878; a trustee of the Washington County grammar 
school from 1868; and for some years president of the Montpelier school board.

His principal business was in the management of the Lane Manufacturing 
Company, of which corporation (which sends its saw mills as far as Japan) 
General PITKIN was president, from the death of Dennis LANE in 1888, to his 
death. Every movement in the town or village matters that contemplated a 
true and probable progress received his encouragement, his service, and his 
support. He was a man of fine physique and commanding appearance, and his 
presence filled the eye. His own eye, dark and clear, beamed with kindness 
and glowed with power. His personal influence, born of the general respect 
which was had for his judgment and his fairness, was very great, a commanding 
influence.

On 14 April 1848 Mr. [Perley Peabody] PITKIN married Caroline M., daughter of 
James TEMPLETON, of East Montpelier. Their four sons are: Clarence H., 
Carroll P., Fred E., and Frank I. Mrs. PITKIN died 11 December 1883. On 26 
July 1886 General [Perley Peabody] PITKIN married Mrs. Jennie (DEWEY) POLAND, 
daughter of Denison DEWEY.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly