The History of the Man behind the Counterstamp - 'Return to R.E. Hathorn Ludlow, VT' love token

Davidk7

So besides collecting Capped Bust Halves by die variety, another sect of numismatics I like is love tokens and exonumia. There's just something about storecards, pictorials, and engravings/counterstamps that really intrigue me about life in a vastly different USA. This is one I’d never seen before, stamped on an 1875-S Seated Half ‘Return to R.E. Hathorn Ludlow, VT’. I was certainly intrigued regarding this piece and had to buy it. I wonder why it says ‘return to’, perhaps made to circulate and advertise something?

Through my research, I was able to find a contemporary photo of Colonel Ransom E. Hathorn, and the harness-making storefront which he ran until 1915. From Archive.com, where a book titled ‘History of Ludlow, VT’ published in 1949 had been uploaded: Col. R. E. Hathorn was born in Londonderry, Vt., Nov. 3, 1843, enlisted in Company G, Eleventh Vt. Volunteers, Aug. 11, 1862, and was mustered out of the service June 24, 1865. He was engaged in the battles of Spotsylvania, Va., May 15 to 18, 1864, Opequan, Va., Sept. 19, 1864, Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864, Petersburg, Mar. 25 to 27, 1865, and Petersburg Apr. 2, 1865. He was never wounded nor excused from duty except for a very short time, and was a faithful servant to his country. He became a resident of Ludlow July 31, 1865, and was engaged in the harness business. He died Jan. 10, 1931.

From GeneologyTrails.com, which hosts a transcribed book 'History of Windsor County, Vermont by Lewis C. Aldrich and Frank R Holmes, 1891' : Hathorn, Ransom E., was born in Londonderry, November 3, 1843, and is the eldest son of Eleazer and Lydia (Foster) Hathorn. His father being engaged in harness-making, Ransom learned that trade early in life. On August 11, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company G, Eleventh Regiment of Vermont Volunteers, and was discharged June 24, 1865. During the war he was located in Virginia and took part in seventeen battles and skirmishes. After leaving the army Mr. Hathorn came to Ludlow and began work at his trade for George Walker. In 1878 he formed a partnership under the name of Walker & Hathorn, and on account of the death of the former the following year, he purchased the business, which he has since conducted. Mr. Hathorn is one of the justices of the peace of the town; was aid-de-camp on Governor E. J. Ormsbee's staff in 1886-87; was for four years commander of O. O. Howard Post, No. 33, G. A. R.; also Senior Vice-Commander of the Department of Vermont, and represented the State at the National Encampment at San Francisco. He has been twice married, his first wife having been Jennie Ward, by whom he had one child, Willie. His second wife was Clara Wright, of Coventry, Vt.

The last photo is from a Dun and Bradstreet Reference Book: September, 1909. Think of this like the yellow pages of the early 20th century.

Finally, I was able to find an eloquently written memorial article written in The Vermont Journal, on Friday, Jan 16, 1931. It will be pasted below.

"Through a village covered by the dazzling whiteness of new-fallen snow, snow whose drifting flakes clung to the folds of the flags which led the cortege escorting him to his last resting-place, the body of Col. Ransom E. Hathorn was carried to the cemetery on the hill beyond Ludlow, Monday afternoon. The stores of the village closed during the funeral services and Col. Hathorn's fellow- townsmen filled to overflowing the house where he had lived for many years, to say farewell and to do honor to one, who has long been one of Ludlow's most respected and loved citizens.
Funeral services at the house were conducted by the Rev. John Reardon of Boston, a former pastor of the universalist church here, and a friend of many years standing. He referred in his eulogy to this friendship, recalling that Col. Hathorn was the first man to meet him when he came to his Ludlow pastorate 40 years ago, and paid eloquent tribute to the esteem in which the Colonel was held by all who knew him, his long years in public service and his splendid military record and love for the Grand Army, and for his Country.
After prayer and benediction, the many beautiful flowers were carried from the house, and the flag-draped casket was placed in the waiting hearse, and the procession started its slow journey to the cemetery.
The procession was led by the flags of the Grand Army Post, Ballard Hobart Post, American Legion of Cavendish, with a color guard from Company B, Vermont National Guard. Company B, Commanded by Captain Alfred Catozzi, was next in line, preceding Chaplain Carl Lawrence, of the Legion Post, and the bugler. The pall bearers, Patrick Nealon, Augustus Nardini, William Lamere, and Henry Vail, followed, with the honorary pall bearers, E. C. Ford, George Raymond, Herbert Walker and Jay Brown, all members of the Masonic Order.
Immediately before the hearse rode George Petty, one of the three surviving comrades of O. O. Howard Post, G. A. R. Following the hearse were cars containing relatives, the two local posts of the American Legion and the members of the Black River Lodge of Masons.
At the grave the brief ceremonies prescribed by military usage were carried out. Chaplain Lawrence read the sentences of committal as used by the American Legion. Three volleys were fired over the grave, and a bugler blew the sad notes of "taps," echoed by another on the hill beyond.
So the Colonel's friends and neighbors came away and left him alone with the Stars and Stripes at his head.
Col. Hathorn was born Nov. 3, 1843, in Londonderry, the son of Eleazer and Lydia (Foster) Hathorn, a member of an old family of this state. He was the oldest child of this union.
He was educated in the public schools of his native town and worked with his father in the trade of harness-making, until Aug. 11, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company G. 11th regiment Vermont Volunteers in the infantry. For one year he served in the defense of Washington, and for two years in the army of the Potomac, and so was for three years continuously on duty.
During the latter period of his service, he belonged to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th corps, Army of the Potomac, at Spottsylvania where they participated in the battles of May 15 and 18, 1864. Among other engagements in which Col. Hathorn figured were those of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Fort Stevens, Charlestown, Gilbert's Ford, Opequan, Fishers Hill, and Cedar Creek. He was slightly wounded in the engagement at Petersburg. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged with his regiment, being then only 21 years old.
In August 1865, he came to Ludlow where he entered the employ of George E. Walker in the harness business. In 1877 he was admitted to the firm and the business was conducted under the name of Walker & Hathorn. After Walker's death, Col. Hathorn conducted the firm until his retirement in 1915. He was the leading collar-maker in this section of New England.
Col. Hathorn served the village of Ludlow as electric light commissioner and as a member of the board of trustees. At the last election he was elected a justice of the peace for the 30th consecutive time. He had been deputy collector of internal revenue, and during the administration of President Harrison he served Windsor county as senator in the Vermont Legislature. In 1886, he served on the staff of Gov. E. J. Ormsbee with the rank of colonel.
He had also been vice president of the Vermont Officers Reunion society and a member of O. O. Howard post, G.A.R. which he represented at state encampments for many years. He was commander for five terms and quartermaster at the time of his death. He was also state commander. At his death the only surviving members of the post are E. A. Hall and George A. Petty of Ludlow and John Pierce of Plymouth Union. He was a member of Black River lodge of Masons, Okemo chapter Royal Arch Masons of Ludlow and Vermont Commandery, Knights Templar, of Windsor and Cairo temple of Shriners of Rutland. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of this town. He was a member of the Universalist church here and also trustee of the church at the time of his death. Col. Hathorn married for his first wife in 1868, Jennie Ward who died in 1871, leaving one son William Ward Hathorn. His second wife was Clara Wright whom he married Jan. 13, 1875. Mrs. Hathorn died about 15 years ago. He is survived by two nieces, Clara and Gladys Fisher and one nephew, Stanley Fisher of Manchester; Mr. and Mrs. William H. Butler, Cavendish; Clark H. and Bryant Pollard, Proctorsville; Mr. and Mrs. T. Mason, Concord, Mass., Clarence A. Clark, Gardiner, Mass., Mrs. J. B. Reardon, Boston and Mr. and Mrs. A. Holden and Miss Lucy Holden Pittsford."

Desert Moon

Really nice and informative write-up. Thanks for your efforts and I enjoyed reading it!

Best, DM

jacrispies

Super cool David!

Barberian

Excellent research!