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Hartness, James

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58^th Governor of Vermont
James Hartness

In office 1921 – 1923
Lieutenant(s)	Abram W. Foote
Preceded by	Percival W. Clement
Succeeded by	Redfield Proctor, Jr.

Born	September 3, 1861
Died	February 2, 1934
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Lena Pond
Profession	Inventor

James Hartness (September 3, 1861 - February 2, 1934) was an American inventor and aviator, who also served as the Governor of Vermont from 1921 to 1923. His daughter, Helen, was a noted folk song collector who married Ralph Flanders, a U.S. Senator from Vermont.

Innovation

Hartness was born in Schenectady, New York and settled in Springfield, Vermont after becoming a superintendent at the struggling Jones and Lamson machine shop. A trained machinist, Hartness had been known in his early career as an innovator and used this creative energy to revitalise the company. He invented the flat turret lathe which increased efficiency and productivity, and he licensed the tool to J & L for a $100 royalty on each machine.

Though soon wealthy, Hartness' creativity never flagged, and over the next 44 years he would acquire 120 patents. He also served as the president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. This energy inspired others around him and soon Springfield became a booming manufacturing town.

Hartness died in Springfield in 1934, about a year after his wife Lena Pond Hartness passed away. He is buried in the Summer Hill Cemetery in Springfield, not far from his mansion. The Hartness mansion is now (as of 2007) the "Hartness House", a Bed-and-Breakfast hotel and restaurant.

Aviation

Hartness was one of the first 100 pilots in America. He obtained his pilot's license in a Wright Flyer. He encouraged, and served as president of, the Vermont Aero Club. He donated the land for the Springfield Aerodrome to the state, establishing the first airfield in Vermont. The airport today is one of the largest in Vermont, and is known as "Hartness State Airport". Hartness was a personal friend of Charles Lindbergh, who landed at Hartness Airport on July 26, 1927 to great fanfare where he spoke to a large crowd and stayed overnight at Hartness' mansion.

Astronomy

Hartness had a love of astronomy which led to his development of a telescope mount with the revolving dome on an equatorial plane. The success of this patent led to more telescope activities and commissions. With Hartness' encouragement and financial support, Russell W. Porter initiated the Springfield Telescope Makers. The club still celebrates their annual Stellafane gathering in Springfield.^[1]

References

^ A Brief History of Stellafane Accessed online: September 2, 2007.

Chittenden • Robinson • Chittenden • Chittenden • Brigham • Tichenor • I. Smith • Tichenor • Galusha • M. Chittenden • Galusha • Skinner • Van Ness • Butler • Crafts • Palmer • Jennison • Paine • Mattocks • Slade • Eaton • Coolidge • Williams • E. Fairbanks • Robinson • Royce • Fletcher • Hall • E. Fairbanks • Holbrook • G. Smith • Dillingham • Page • Washburn • Hendee* • Stewart • Converse • Peck • H. Fairbanks • Proctor • Farnham • Barstow • Pingree • Ormsbee • Dillingham • Page • Fuller • Woodbury • Grout • E. Smith • Stickney • McCullough • Bell • F. Proctor • Prouty • Mead • Fletcher • Gates • Graham • Clement • Hartness • Proctor Jr. • Billings • Weeks • Wilson • C. Smith • Aiken • Wills • M. Proctor • Gibson • Arthur • Emerson • Johnson • Stafford • Keyser • Hoff • Davis • Salmon • Snelling • Kunin • Snelling • Dean • Douglas
* denotes acting