Washington

POLAND, Joseph

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 321-322 
(portrait p 321)

Joseph POLAND, of Montpelier [Washington County, Vermont], was born 14 March 
1818 in Underhill [Chittenden County, Vermont], son of Luther and Nancy 
(POTTER) POLAND. His father, Luther POLAND, was born 11 March 1790 in 
Brookfield [Worcester County], Massachusetts, moved to Vermont in 1814, and 
died 16 June 1880 at Montpelier. The family moved from Underhill to 
Waterville then Coit's Gore [Lamoille County, Vermont], in 1821, and until 
1835 Joseph worked on the farm, meanwhile attending the district school and 
Johnson Academy [Lamoille County]. In September 1835 he came to Montpelier, 
an as an apprentice entered the office of the "Vermont Watchman," where he 
remained until 1839. He was confirmed in anti-slavery opinions by witnessing 
the riotous conduct of those who, in October 1835, disturbed the meeting at 
the State House and the "Old Brick Church," at which Rev. Samuel J. MAY 
lectured.

On 01 January 1839 he began the publication at Montpelier of the "Voice of 
Freedom," the first distinctly anti-slavery periodical of the state, but in 
less than a year was compelled to dispose of the property on account of 
broken health. In June 1840 he was able to resume his chosen profession, and 
established the "Lamoille Whig" at Johnson. While residing there he served 
as assistant clerk in the state Legislature. After four years' connection 
with this paper, Mr. POLAND returned to Montpelier and established the "Green 
Mountain Freeman" as the organ of the newly-formed Liberty party. This 
publication he continued, with marked success, until the close of the 
presidential campaign of 1848, during which period the vote of the party in 
the state increased to more than 15,000, and in the nation to 300,000. He 
served as chairman of the state committee, and largely as general organizer 
of the party, during a large portion of these years, a period made ever 
memorable as witnessing the birth of that wonderful moral and political 
revolution which, a few years later, elevated Abraham LINCOLN to the 
presidency, and struck the fetters from every American slave.

About 1882, the late Hon. E. P. WALTON justly wrote: "Mr. POLAND may 
properly indulge in the double boast of him that girdeth on the harness and 
of him that putteth it off, having lived to see American slavery, not only 
forever extinguished by the organic law of the land, but remembered only with 
such detestation that history blushes at the record." In 1849 Mr. POLAND 
was chosen a director and secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company, positions which he held during the entire life of the company, more 
than thirty years. In 1852-1853 he served as judge of probate for Washington 
County; in 1858-1860 was a member of the state Senate, and in 1870-1871 
represented the town of Montpelier in the Legislature.

In 1861 he was commissioned by Governor FAIRBANKS (and afterwards by 
President LINCOLN, in connection with Hon. John B. PAGE and Hon. John HOWE, 
Jr., under an act of Congress providing for allotment commissioners) to visit 
the Vermont regiments in the field and procure from each soldier an allotment 
of such portion of his monthly pay as could be spared during his enlistment, 
to be transmitted to his family, or any depository he might select. In 1863, 
under a commission from Governor SMITH, Mr. POLAND purchased what was then 
denominated the "Fair Ground," but now "Seminary Hill," in Montpelier, and 
erected thereon the buildings constituting "Sloan Hospital," which was 
maintained for years, first by the state and subsequently by the general 
government, as a rendezvous for invalid soldiers. He has been a trustee of 
the Vermont State Library since 01 November 1859. From 1861 to 1869 he held 
the position of collector of internal revenue for the First Congressional 
District of Vermont. In March 1868 Judge POLAND in connection with his son, 
J. Monroe, purchased the "Vermont Watchman," which he continued until 1882, 
when he permanently retired from active business. He left the paper with far 
more than double the circulation it had when he assumed it.

Mr. POLAND was also favorably known to the Congregational churches of Vermont 
and New Hampshire as the publisher and proprietor of both the "Vermont 
Chronicle" and the "New Hampshire Journal." Of Mr. POLAND's long service in 
the editorial field, the "Rutland Herald" said: "The Watchman and Journal, 
under his hands, has always hewed straight to the line on all great questions 
of deep public concern in morals and politics. A man of excellent ability as 
a thinker and writer, of discreet action and sagacious judgment in politics, 
Mr. POLAND has acted well his part in Vermont journalism. His influence has 
been large, and it has been uprightly exerted." The "St. Albans Messenger 
said: "But is not so much in relation to the public as an able and 
conscientious journalist that we feel moved to write, but rather in his 
relations to the editors and publishers of the state. In these relations Mr. 
POLAND has been most exceptionally free from petty jealousies, the spirit of 
detraction and disparagement, the narrow and unwarranted personal abuse which 
have prevailed too generally among the editors of the state, and in this 
respect he leaves to his professional brethren a very worthy example."

Mr. POLAND became a communicant of Bethany Church in 1839, and has been since 
the death of Hon. E. P. WALTON its senior deacon; also served as 
superintendent of its Sunday school, which relations he sustained to the 
Congregational church in Johnson [Lamoille County] during his residence 
there. He has been for half a century by voice, pen, and earnest work an 
untiring friend and advocate of the temperance cause. During his long 
residence in Montpelier Judge POLAND's political and personal influence has 
been far-reaching and effective, and been freely sought and acknowledged in 
connection with most of the public men and measures of his time. He has ever 
moved far in advance of men of much larger means in encouraging every 
business, benevolent, or social enterprise in his community. The sick and 
suffering have always found in him a friend and benefactor. The worthy young 
men are by no means few whom he has encouraged and assisted to enter upon a 
successful business career for themselves.

On 07 July 1840 Mr. [Joseph] POLAND married [Miss?] Mary Ann, daughter of the 
late Joseph ROWELL. Of their seven children, but one, Edward R., is living. 
Three died in infancy: Clara A., an accomplished daughter of twenty-one, 
died in 1865. Charles F. died in 1875, in early manhood, and J. Monroe, 
formerly adjutant of the Fifteenth Vermont, died 16 September 1891. Mrs. 
POLAND [Mary Ann] died in 1862. On 08 February Judge [Joseph] POLAND married 
[Miss] Julia M. HARVEY, daughter of James K. and Caroline (COBURN) HARVEY, of 
Barnet [Caledonia County, Vermont].

Submitted by Cathy Kubly