Julius Yemans Dewey - Career

Career

Lawrence continues by giving a life account of Julius. "While still very young he began to teach school in Montpelier, but only as a means to further schooling for himself. By that thrift which so often accompanies and makes most serviceable the natural energy of the New Englander, the young schoolmaster was saving money in order to educate himself as a physician. This he succeeded in doing, was graduated from the University of Vermont, and became the most prominent practitioner and one of the leading citizens of the capital of Vermont."

"At the age of twenty-four young Dr. Dewey went to his home neighborhood for a wife and married the beautiful Mary Perrin, his boyish sweetheart. That neighborhood then, as now, was practically divided between the Deweys and the Perrins, and two lines of good stock and common tradition and interest were united by this local and friendly marriage. They at once made their residence in Montpelier, and there were born their four children, Charles, Edward, George and Mary."

"Dr. Julius Dewey was known everywhere for his strong sense of duty and integrity. He was universally trusted. No one can look at the broad, honest face with its high forehead, firm mouth and square chin, without feeling that it is the countenance of a man who would do his duty fearlessly; and no one can look at the kindly eyes, with a twinkle even in the little wrinkles about their corners, without recognizing the cheery humor which was perhaps the strongest characteristic of the man. The doctor was always for looking on the bright side of things, and this good cheer was worth more, no doubt, to his patients than were his medicines. He had excellent judgment, and prospered until he soon became one of the wealthy men of his town. At the age of fifty he had saved a considerable fortune, and in order to invest it to good advantage he formed the National Life Insurance Company, which is now the most important corporation in central Vermont, and is still a source of wealth to the family. Until his death in 1877 he was its president. Then his son Charles became its presiding officer, and another son, Edward — the eldest of the family — became and remains a leading director." According to "Wish You Were Here" (1999), an article on towns of Vermont and their history by Craig Bailey, the company was founded in 1850 and was still active by the end of the 20th century. "It's one of the 10 oldest insurance companies in the country and one of the largest private employers in Montpelier. Founded by Vermont doctor Julius Dewey in 1850, the company has more than a quarter-million policyholders served by 3,500 brokers and agents in all 50 states and the District of Columbia."

"Dr. Dewey was a deeply religious man, worshiping according to the forms of the Episcopal denomination. He was the founder of Christ Church, in Montpelier". ... "One of the habits of the household was the Sunday evening singing at home after church, led by the doctor himself; for he was fond of all music, and possessed an excellent voice." ... "It is not surprising also to learn that Dr. Dewey was fond of poetry, and that Burns, the balladist of rural life and the most cheerful of philosophers, was his favorite. Cowper was another poet often read."

"Dewey and Other Naval Commanders" (1899) by Edward Sylvester Ellis contains a shorter but similar account. "Following down the family line, we come to the birth of Julius Yemans Dewey, August 22, 1801, at Berlin, Vermont. He studied medicine, practiced his profession at Montpelier, the capital, and became one of the most respected and widely known citizens of the State. He was married three times, and by his first wife had three sons and one daughter. The latter was Mary, and the sons were Charles, Edward, and George". ... "Dr. Dewey was a man of deep religious convictions. In middle life he gave up the practice of medicine and founded the National Life Insurance Company, to whose interests he devoted his time and ability, and met with a good degree of success."

According to Lawrence, Dewey was a member of the local school committee when his son George was eleven-years-old (c. 1848). When teacher Z. K. Pangborn complained about the son's behavior at school, Julius was not particularly impressed. "'If you can't manage that eleven-year-old boy you'd better resign your position,' replied the doctor grimly."