Hartness family.

James Hartness (1861-1934), the son of John Williams (1830-1906) and Ursilla Jackson Hartness (1834-1891), was born in Schenectady, New York, on September 3, 1861. He came to Springfield, Vermont, from Schenectady, by way of Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended school. He took after his father, John, who worked in machine shops in Cleveland, and developed an interest and talent in mechanics. After working a series of jobs in Connecticut from 1886-1888, James Hartness took his flat turret lathe design to the Jones and Lamson Machine Company in Springfield, Vermont, in 1889. This company flourished, due in large part to Hartness' many other inventions as well as changes he made to their business model in his position as superintendent, and became an important player in the very successful machine tool industry in Springfield. James Hartness procured many patents for machines and possessed a business acumen that made him a major force in the developing machine tool industry.

James Hartness had many interests and pursuits outside of business. He served as governor of Vermont for one term (1921-1923) and was an early proponent of aviation in the state. He was a member, and at one time president, of the Vermont Aero Club. He also gave land for the Springfield Aerodrome, which is now known as the "Hartness State Airport" and was then the first airfield in Vermont, to the state. In 1927, he welcomed the famous aviator, Charles Lindbergh, when he touched down in Springfield, Vermont. Additionally, Hartness was an avid astronomer and established Stellafane, an observatory in Springfield, Vermont.

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