James Hartness was born on this day in 1861. He came to Vermont as shop superintendent for Jones and Lamson machine tool company in Springfield.

Not only did Hartness become president of the company, he became so widely recognized for his work he became president of the American Society Of Mechanical Engineers.

Hartness was an inventor with a number of patents to his credit. His flat turret lathe was a major innovation, and Hartness led the way for what became known as the Precision Valley Inventors.

Hartness, a lover of aviation and astronomy, ran successfully for governor in 1920.

Hartness image courtesy The Vermont Historical Society .Historical Marker is a Vermont Book Of Days photo.