Trenor W. Park
Encyclopedia
Trenor William Park was an American lawyer
, political figure, businessman, and philanthropist
.
, Bennington County, Vermont on December 8th, 1823. He was raised in Bennington, Vermont, and began working at an early age, including selling candy and carrying letters to and from the Bennington post office.
At age 15 Park became the proprietor of a candy store on Bennington's North Street, and at age 16 he began to study law with Bennington County State's Attorney A.P. Lyman, attaining admission to the bar as soon as he was legally eligible in 1844. Park began a practice in Bennington, and maintained it until 1852, also becoming active in lumbering and other business ventures. On December, 15, 1846 he married Laura Van Der Spiegle Hall, the daughter of US Congressman and Vermont Governor Hiland Hall
. They had three children Eliza, Laura and Trenor Luther Park. His son Trenor studied at Harvard and married Julia Hunt Catlin.
In 1851 Hall was appointed Chairman of the U.S. Land Commission
empowered to settle Mexican land titles after the annexation of California, and Park traveled to San Francisco, California
with him. He practiced law successfully in San Francisco, soon becoming a partner in the state's leading firm, Halleck, Peachy, Billings & Park
. In 1855 Park played a key role in San Francisco's political reform movement by establishing the San Francisco Bulletin newspaper. He also became active in several commercial enterprises, including real estate and mining, and managed the Rancho Las Mariposas
gold mine owned by John C. Frémont
. Park lost some of his investments in California's Panic of 1858, but eventually became very wealthy.
At the founding of the Republican party, Park became an active member, serving as a delegate to several state conventions. In the late 1850s he served as Chairman of California's Republican State Central Committee. In 1863 he was a Unionist candidate for the U.S. Senate, narrowly losing election in the California legislature. In 1864 he was a California delegate to the Republican national convention that nominated President Abraham Lincoln
for reelection and named Democrat Andrew Johnson
as its vice presidential candidate.
In 1864 Park returned to Vermont, where he incorporated the First National Bank of North Bennington, was an original investor in the Central Vermont Railroad, and again speculated in several successful business ventures, including timber and mines. He also established a second residence in New York City
. In 1868 he was a Vermont delegate to the Republican National Convention
that nominated Ulysses S. Grant
for president and Schuyler Colfax
for vice president. The same year, he was elected as Vermont's member of the Republican National Committee, serving until 1870.
In 1870 he was one of the founders of Rutland, Vermont's Baxter National Bank. In 1871 Park's daughter Eliza married John G. McCullough
, former Attorney General of California, who became active in several of Park's business ventures and later served as Governor of Vermont. Also in 1871, Park was an owner and promoter of a depleted Utah Emma Silver Mine. Unsuspecting English citizens invested millions of pounds in the fraudulent mine. In 1876 and 1877 his partners and he were accused of defrauding the group that purchased the mine from them, and they were acquitted in a nationally publicized trial.
Park was a candidate for the 1874 Republican nomination for governor of Vermont, but withdrew in favor of the eventual nominee and general election winner, state Supreme Court Justice Asahel Peck
. The same year, Park purchased controlling interest in the Panama Railroad and was elected its President. During the rest of the 1870s he engaged in a well-publicized contest with rival financier Jay Gould
for control of Pacific Mail, the company that shipped cargo between the eastern and western United States by moving it overland across the Isthmus of Panama
.
Active in civic affairs, Park served in the Vermont House of Representatives
, was a member of the committee that oversaw design and construction of the Bennington Battle Monument, and was a Trustee of the University of Vermont
. His philanthropic donations included the Bennington Free Library (with Seth B. Hunt), and the building and land for the Vermont Soldiers' Home. He also donated the University of Vermont's Park Gallery of Art, the exhibits of which were later incorporated into the university's Robert Hull Fleming Museum
.
Trenor Park died on December 13, 1882, while aboard the ship "San Blas" en route from San Francisco to Panama. His funeral took place at New York City's Collegiate Reformed Church, and he was buried in Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery
.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, political figure, businessman, and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
.
Life
Trenor William Park was born in WoodfordWoodford, Vermont
Woodford is a town in Bennington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 414 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 47.6 square miles , of which 47.5 square miles is land and 0.1 square mile is...
, Bennington County, Vermont on December 8th, 1823. He was raised in Bennington, Vermont, and began working at an early age, including selling candy and carrying letters to and from the Bennington post office.
At age 15 Park became the proprietor of a candy store on Bennington's North Street, and at age 16 he began to study law with Bennington County State's Attorney A.P. Lyman, attaining admission to the bar as soon as he was legally eligible in 1844. Park began a practice in Bennington, and maintained it until 1852, also becoming active in lumbering and other business ventures. On December, 15, 1846 he married Laura Van Der Spiegle Hall, the daughter of US Congressman and Vermont Governor Hiland Hall
Hiland Hall
Hiland Hall was a United States Representative from Vermont. He was born in Bennington, Vermont. He attended the common schools, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1819 and commenced practice in Bennington....
. They had three children Eliza, Laura and Trenor Luther Park. His son Trenor studied at Harvard and married Julia Hunt Catlin.
In 1851 Hall was appointed Chairman of the U.S. Land Commission
Public Land Commission
The Public Land Commission, a former agency of the United States government, was created following the admission of California as a state in 1850 . The Commission's purpose was to determine the validity of prior Spanish and Mexican land grants in California.California Senator William M...
empowered to settle Mexican land titles after the annexation of California, and Park traveled to San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
with him. He practiced law successfully in San Francisco, soon becoming a partner in the state's leading firm, Halleck, Peachy, Billings & Park
Halleck, Peachy & Billings
Halleck, Peachy & Billings was one of the leading early law firms in San Francisco, California and specialized in land cases. The firm was organized by Frederick H. Billings and Archibald Carey Peachy in 1849, who were joined soon after by Henry Wager Halleck. Halleck, Peachy & Billings was...
. In 1855 Park played a key role in San Francisco's political reform movement by establishing the San Francisco Bulletin newspaper. He also became active in several commercial enterprises, including real estate and mining, and managed the Rancho Las Mariposas
Rancho Las Mariposas
Rancho Las Mariposas was a Mexican land grant in present day Mariposa County, California given in 1844 by Governor Manuel Micheltorena to Juan Bautista Alvarado. The grant takes its name from Mariposa Creek, which was named for the butterflies in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains...
gold mine owned by John C. Frémont
John C. Frémont
John Charles Frémont , was an American military officer, explorer, and the first candidate of the anti-slavery Republican Party for the office of President of the United States. During the 1840s, that era's penny press accorded Frémont the sobriquet The Pathfinder...
. Park lost some of his investments in California's Panic of 1858, but eventually became very wealthy.
At the founding of the Republican party, Park became an active member, serving as a delegate to several state conventions. In the late 1850s he served as Chairman of California's Republican State Central Committee. In 1863 he was a Unionist candidate for the U.S. Senate, narrowly losing election in the California legislature. In 1864 he was a California delegate to the Republican national convention that nominated President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
for reelection and named Democrat Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
as its vice presidential candidate.
In 1864 Park returned to Vermont, where he incorporated the First National Bank of North Bennington, was an original investor in the Central Vermont Railroad, and again speculated in several successful business ventures, including timber and mines. He also established a second residence in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. In 1868 he was a Vermont delegate to the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
that nominated Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
for president and Schuyler Colfax
Schuyler Colfax
Schuyler Colfax, Jr. was a United States Representative from Indiana , Speaker of the House of Representatives , and the 17th Vice President of the United States . To date, he is one of only two Americans to have served as both House speaker and vice president.President Ulysses S...
for vice president. The same year, he was elected as Vermont's member of the Republican National Committee, serving until 1870.
In 1870 he was one of the founders of Rutland, Vermont's Baxter National Bank. In 1871 Park's daughter Eliza married John G. McCullough
John G. McCullough
John Griffith McCullough was an American businessperson and attorney. He was Attorney General of California during the Civil War, and the 49th Governor of Vermont from 1902 to 1904.-Early life:...
, former Attorney General of California, who became active in several of Park's business ventures and later served as Governor of Vermont. Also in 1871, Park was an owner and promoter of a depleted Utah Emma Silver Mine. Unsuspecting English citizens invested millions of pounds in the fraudulent mine. In 1876 and 1877 his partners and he were accused of defrauding the group that purchased the mine from them, and they were acquitted in a nationally publicized trial.
Park was a candidate for the 1874 Republican nomination for governor of Vermont, but withdrew in favor of the eventual nominee and general election winner, state Supreme Court Justice Asahel Peck
Asahel Peck
Asahel Peck was the 35th Governor of Vermont from 1874 to 1876.Peck was born in Royalston, Massachusetts in 1803. He moved to Montpelier, Vermont with his family at the age of three years old. A graduate of the University of Vermont he was also educated at Hinesburgh Academy and Washington County...
. The same year, Park purchased controlling interest in the Panama Railroad and was elected its President. During the rest of the 1870s he engaged in a well-publicized contest with rival financier Jay Gould
Jay Gould
Jason "Jay" Gould was a leading American railroad developer and speculator. He has long been vilified as an archetypal robber baron, whose successes made him the ninth richest American in history. Condé Nast Portfolio ranked Gould as the 8th worst American CEO of all time...
for control of Pacific Mail, the company that shipped cargo between the eastern and western United States by moving it overland across the Isthmus of Panama
Isthmus of Panama
The Isthmus of Panama, also historically known as the Isthmus of Darien, is the narrow strip of land that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, linking North and South America. It contains the country of Panama and the Panama Canal...
.
Active in civic affairs, Park served in the Vermont House of Representatives
Vermont House of Representatives
The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members. Vermont legislative districting divides representing districts into 66 single-member districts and 42 two-member...
, was a member of the committee that oversaw design and construction of the Bennington Battle Monument, and was a Trustee of the University of Vermont
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont comprises seven undergraduate schools, an honors college, a graduate college, and a college of medicine. The Honors College does not offer its own degrees; students in the Honors College concurrently enroll in one of the university's seven undergraduate colleges or...
. His philanthropic donations included the Bennington Free Library (with Seth B. Hunt), and the building and land for the Vermont Soldiers' Home. He also donated the University of Vermont's Park Gallery of Art, the exhibits of which were later incorporated into the university's Robert Hull Fleming Museum
Robert Hull Fleming Museum
The Robert Hull Fleming Museum is a museum of art and anthropology located at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. The museum's collection includes some 25,000 objects from a wide variety of times and places....
.
Trenor Park died on December 13, 1882, while aboard the ship "San Blas" en route from San Francisco to Panama. His funeral took place at New York City's Collegiate Reformed Church, and he was buried in Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery was founded in 1838 as a rural cemetery in Brooklyn, Kings County , New York. It was granted National Historic Landmark status in 2006 by the U.S. Department of the Interior.-History:...
.
Legacy
His Bennington home, the Park-McCullough House, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and is open to the public.Sources
- The Hoosac Valley: Its Legends and its History, by Grace Greylock Niles, 1912, page 464
- Trenor Park: A New Englander in California, by Virginia Bell, California Historical Society, 1981, http://www.jstor.org/pss/25158038
- Biography of Trenor W. Park, History of Bennington County, Vermont, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich, 1889
- Proceedings of the First Three Republican National Conventions of 1856, 1860 and 1864, published by Charles W. Johnson, Minneapolis, 1893, page 248
- National Register of Historic Places web site, Vermont state listings, http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/vt/bennington/state.html
- Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont, edited by Hiram Carleton, 1903, Volume II, pages 12 to 14
- Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of Vermont, Jacob Ullery, 1894, Transcript Publishing Company, Brattleboro, pages 296 to 298
- Vermont: the Green Mountain State, Walter Hill Crockett, 1921, volume 4, pages 65 to 66
- One Thousand Men, by Dorman B. E. Kent, published by Vermont Historical Society 1915, page 123
- The Vermont Encyclopedia, by John J. Duffy, Samuel B. Hand, and Ralph H. Orth, 2003, pages 53 to 54, 228
- Letter as Chairman, Republican State Central Committee, Trenor William Park, September 2, 1856, University of California Berkeley archives, http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=no:025750649
- The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, published by James T. White and Company, 1892, Volume II, page 135