Kittredge Haskins

Kittredge Haskins (April 8, 1836 – August 7, 1916) was a Vermont lawyer and Republican politician. A Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 1901 to 1909.

A native of Dover, Vermont, Haskins was educated in the local schools, became an attorney, and practiced in Wilmington and Newfane before settling in Brattleboro. During the American Civil War, he served as a first lieutenant in the 16th Vermont Infantry Regiment. After the war, he attained the rank of colonel in the Vermont Militia.

Active in politics as a Republican, Haskins served as State's Attorney of Windham County (1870–1872) and Brattleboro's member of the Vermont House of Representatives (1872–1874). He was United States Attorney for the District of Vermont from 1880 to 1887, a member of the Vermont Senate (1892–1894), and again a member of the Vermont House (1896–1900). From 1898 to 1900, Haskins served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives. In 1900, he won election to the United States House of Representatives, and he served four terms, from 1901 to 1909.

After leaving Congress, Haskins practiced law in Brattleboro, served as the town's municipal court judge from 1910 to 1911, and as the town's postmaster from 1911 to 1915. Haskins died in Brattleboro on August 7, 1917, and was buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro.

Early life Kittredge Haskins was born in Dover, Vermont on April 8, 1836, the son of Asaph Haskins and Amelia (Ward) Haskins. His ancestors were longtime residents of New England and included veterans of the French and Indian War, American Revolutionary War, and War of 1812, and Haskins was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Haskins was educated in the schools of Dover and by a private tutor.

Continued career Haskins was a member of the Vermont Republican State Committee from 1869 to 1872. He served as state's attorney of Windham County from 1870 to 1872. From 1898 to 1900 he served as speaker of the Vermont House.

During Haskins' congressional career, he served on the elections, agriculture, labor, and war claims committees Norwich awarded Haskins the honorary degree of Master of Arts in 1873, and an honorary LL.D. in 1907.

Haskins was long active in Freemasonry, and held several leadership positions in Wilmington and Brattleboro, as well as at the state level. During his Masonic career, Haskins attained the 33rd degree of the Scottish Rite. He was also active in the Episcopal Church, and held several leadership roles in Brattleboro, as well as attending several general conventions as a lay deputy. Haskins was an organizer of the Brattleboro Free Library, and was the longtime chairman of its board of trustees.

Haskins died in Brattleboro on August 7, 1916. He was interred at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro.

Family In 1860, Haskins married Esther Maria Childs. They were married until her death in January 1912, and were the parents of one child, son John ("Johnnie"), who was born in 1861 and died in 1864. In September 1912, Haskins married Maud Arvilla Jane Elmore (1876–1922).