Washington

ROPES, Arthur

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 342 
(portrait p 342)

Arthur ROPES, of Montpelier [Washington County, Vermont], was born 05 May 1837 
in Newbury [Orange County, Vermont], son of George and Miriam (JOHNSON) 
ROPES. He obtained his early education in the commons schools and St. 
Johnsbury Academy [Caledonia County, Vermont], and was for a time a member of 
the class of 1864 in Dartmouth College. He became a teacher in the common 
schools of Vermont, then was assistant in St. Johnsbury Academy, and 
afterwards promoted to be principal of the high school of that village. 
Impaired health induced him to spend a year in outdoor life in the Lake 
Superior region. He then gave his attention to business affairs and was 
employed as teller in the Passumpsic National Bank [Caledonia County], which 
he quitted to become the cashier of the Northfield National Bank of 
Northfield [Washington County]. He next engaged in manufacturing at 
Waterbury and Montpelier [both in Washington County] and in 1880 he entered 
the business office of, and soon became a writer upon the editorial staff of 
the Vermont "Watchman." During Mr. PRESCOTT's ownership of the "Watchman" 
Mr. [Arthur] ROPES was its active editor. In 1886 he began the publication 
of the "Rural Vermonter" at Montpelier, and in 1888 his enterprise and energy 
displayed itself in the formation of an association of business men in 
Montpelier and Washington County, entitled the Watchman Publishing Company, 
for the purpose of purchasing the "Watchman" and uniting with it the 
"Vermonter." This was accomplished and Mr. ROPES has since filled the 
editorial chair of the "Watchman" and is the business manager of the company, 
of which he is a director and the clerk. Though a Republican he holds no 
political office and his ambition does not run that direction, but in that of 
conducting a newspaper influential in advancing the material and moral 
welfare of the people of the state. On 28 June 1864 Mr. [Arthur] ROPES wed 
Mary J., daughter of George W. and Charlotte (McNIDER) HUTCHINS. [Note it is 
only implied that she was Miss Mary J. HUTCHINS when she married the subject, 
and this cannot be assumed.] They [Arthur and Mary J. ROPES] have two 
daughters: Charlotte and Laura L.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly