Henry F. Field

Henry Francis Field
Born	Brandon, Vermont, U.S.
Died	9 March 1932(1932-03-09) (aged 88) Rutland, Vermont, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Banker, politician
Years active	1860s–1932
Known for	Vermont State Treasurer (1890–1898)

Henry Francis Field (October 8, 1843 – March 9, 1932) was a prominent Vermont banker and politician who held the office of Vermont State Treasurer for eight years during the late 19th century.

Early life

Henry Field was born in Brandon, Vermont to Minerva (Davenport) Field and William M. Field, the latter serving as Rutland County sheriff, president of Rutland Savings Bank, and a Vermont state senator. He completed his education at local institutions including Brandon Seminary. Between 1858 and 1859, he worked as assistant doorkeeper for the Vermont Senate. Beginning his banking profession at age 17, he started as a clerk at Brandon Bank before relocating to Rutland to join John B. Page, then the state treasurer. In 1861, he briefly held the role of deputy secretary of state for Vermont.

Start of career

Field’s banking career advanced in 1864 when he took a teller position at the Bank of Rutland (which later became Rutland National Bank). After three years, he was promoted to cashier at Rutland County National Bank, where notable figures such as Page, William Y. W. Ripley, and Edward H. Ripley served as officers. Subsequently, Field was named to the bank’s board of directors.

Political career

From 1876 to 1886, Field managed financial affairs as treasurer for the town of Rutland and also fulfilled duties as village treasurer prior to Rutland's transition into a city. In 1877, he assumed the role of treasurer for Rutland County, maintaining this position until his passing.

As a member of the Republican Party, Field was elected to the Vermont Senate in 1884 and chaired its banking committee. He later served in the Vermont House of Representatives in 1888, where he also led the banking committee. His tenure as Vermont State Treasurer began with his election in 1890; he secured reelection three times and served until 1898.

The University of Vermont honored him with an honorary Master of Arts degree in 1894.

Later life

In 1906, Field ascended to the presidency of Rutland County National Bank. He was deeply involved with Rutland’s Congregational church community, frequently acting as superintendent or Sunday school instructor. During the early twentieth century, he played a key role in establishing the Rutland YMCA and held the position of vice president for Vermont within the American Bankers Association.

Death and burial

Field passed away in Rutland on March 9, 1932. His remains were interred at Pine Hill Cemetery located in Brandon.

Family

In 1865, Henry Field married Annie Louisa Howe, daughter of the founder of Howe Scale Company. They had two sons: John Howe Field (1871–1940) and William Henry Field (1877–1935). William married Ethel S. Clement, who was the daughter of Percival W. Clement, Governor of Vermont from 1919 to 1921.

Among Henry’s siblings was Fred A. Field, who served as United States Marshal for Vermont from 1898 until 1903.

External links

• Vermont State Treasurers, 1778-2012, Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives.