USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 22
USA > Vermont > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 22
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
Henry Adams Burt was born in Sheldon, February 10, 1828. He was educated in the common schools, and also at the St. Albans and Bakersfield Academies. In 1845 he entered the University of Vermont, and was graduated with the class of 1849. He read law in the offices of his father, Augustus Burt, and brother, James Stuart Burt, and was admitted to the bar at the December term of court in Franklin county in 1852. Mr. Burt practiced in Fairfield for about four years after his admission, but after that came to his present location in Swanton. From December, 1860, to December, 1862, Mr. Burt was state's attorney for this county ; was town representative from Swanton in 1865-66; and in the senate during the years 1867 and 1868. Again in 1869 he rep- resented the town in the Assembly, but in 1870 absolutely declined the re-nomination that was tendered him The law partnerships with which Henry A. Burt has been connected, during the long period of his practice, have been Burt & Hall, Burt, Hall & Burt, and Burt & Burt, the latter being the present firm style, the members comprising our sub- ject and his son, Henry Augustus Burt.
Myron Buck was born in Fairfax, on the 17th of December, 1823, and is descended from one of the pioneer families of that town. His early education was acquired in the district schools, and his earliest legal education in the office of Anson Soule, one of the old practitioners of the county, and but recently deceased. In 1844 Mr. Buck entered the University of Vermont, and was graduated with the class of 1848. He then went South, living for a time at Augusta, Ga., where he continued his legal studies and attended Prof. Gould's law lectures. Returning home, Mr. Buck was admitted to practice at the April term of court in Franklin county in 1854. He practiced at Fairfax until 1858, when he was elected state's attorney, and thereupon moved to the county seat. While in Fairfax Mr. Buck practiced with Anson Soule, and after mov- ing to St. Albans had a partner, for a time, in the person of Reed Buck, who is now a resident of Portland, Oregon.
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Charles Soule, the son of the late Anson Soule, was born in Fairfax, and studied law in his father's office ; was admitted to practice in this county at the June term in 1855. Mr. Soule has always practiced in this county, and was formerly of the firm of A. & C. Soule & Buck. After Mr. Buck's removal to the county seat the firm name became A. & C. Soule, and so continued for a number of years.
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THE BENCH AND BAR.
Henry Clay Adams was born at Grand Isle, July 3, 1828. He was educated at the North Hero and St. Albans Academies; commenced reading law in 1852 with Henry Adams, at Swanton, and afterwards read with Beckwith & Johnson, at Plattsburgh; was admitted to practice in New York state in July, 1854, and admitted to practice in this state, at St. Albans, in December, following. In 1856 Mr. Adams was elected state's attorney for Grand Isle county, continuing in that office five years. In 1861 he represented Grand Isle town in the Assembly. In 1867 he came to St. Albans to reside and practice his profession. While living in Alburgh Mr. Adams had as partner Hon. Jed P. Ladd; and after locating in the Franklin county shire town practiced in partnership in the firm of Bailey, Davis & Adams, and still later the firm of Davis & Adams. Since 1876 Mr. Adams has practiced alone.
William De Forest Wilson was born in Bakersfield, October 5, 1836, and was the son of William Campbell Wilson, one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Vermont, a sketch of whose life appears on a pre- ceding page. Our subject was educated at the Bakersfield Academy, and for a time attended the University of Vermont, but did not grad- uate, his term of instruction there being something less than two years. At that time young Wilson had not formed a determination to enter the legal profession, but was inclined to business pursuits. However, in 1855, he commenced a course of law study in his father's office, and under his immediate instruction, and was admitted to practice at the Franklin County Court at the June term of 1857. In this same year he began practice at Troy, Orleans county, and remained there nearly ten years, after which, in February, 1867, he entered into law partner- ship with Col. R. C. Benton, of St. Albans, under the firm style of Benton & Wilson. This relation was maintained until November, 1869, when our subject withdrew from the firm, having determined to locate in some western city or town ; but from this determination he was in- duced to recede, upon which he resumed practice at the county seat, and continued without a partner until January 1, 1874, at which time the present firm of Wilson & Hall was formed.
Edward Adams Sowles was born in Alburgh, Grand Isle county, Oc- tober 23, 1831. He first attended the common schools of his town, and
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
worked about his father's store, but when old enough made preparation for college under the instruction of his uncle, Henry Adams, a leading lawyer of St. Albans. This instruction was supplemented by attendance at the Johnson Academy, and in September, 1853, he entered the Uni- versity of Vermont for the regular course, from which institution he was graduated with the class of '57. During the same year he entered the Albany Law School, and was graduated in 1858, and admitted to prac- tice in New York state. Returning to St. Albans he was admitted to the Franklin county bar, on motion, and soon afterward formed a law partnership with Hon. William W. White, which was continued until the death of Mr. White in June, 1862. From that time Mr. Sowles prac- ticed alone until he was chosen the successor of Mr. Bellows, as president of the First National Bank of St. Albans, whose death occurred in Octo- ber, 1876, and which appointment had the effect of drawing our subject away from the diversity of the general practice, although he has ever since been identified with the profession. Mr. Sowles was admitted in 1875 to practice in the United States Supreme Court, on the motion of Hon. Matthew Carpenter. His admission to practice in the United States Circuit Court dates from 1870. In 1876-77 Mr. Sowles was one of the Franklin county senators in the legislature.
Myron Winslow Bailey was born at Waterville, Vt., November 9, 1847, and at that place in the common schools, and at the People's Acad- emy at Morrisville, his early education was acquired. It was his inten- tion to enter college, to which end he prepared, but an unfortunate acci- dent produced ill-health, thus compelling him to relinquish his purpose. About the year 1857 Mr. Bailey moved with his parents to Montgomery, and while residing there pursued a course of law study in the office of Homer E. Royce, at East Berkshire. Following that he entered the Al- bany Law School, from which he graduated in May, 1859, then becoming an attorney of the New York Supreme Court. He was admitted to prac- tice in Franklin county at the April term in 1860. He located for pro- fessional work at Richford, and was so engaged when, in 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Third Vermont Volunteer Infantry as private. In Sep- tember following he was seriously injured while on picket duty, and was mustered out of service in February, 1862. Returning home, Com- rade Bailey resumed his professional work in Richford and Montgomery,
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and so continued until 1867, when he was elected judge of probate of Franklin county, and has since been re-elected at the expiration of each term. The duties of this office necessitated Judge Bailey's removal to the county seat.
Merrill Jackson Hill is a native Vermonter, and was born at Danville ; entered the University of Vermont in 1847, and was graduated in 1851 ; read law with J. L. Edwards of Derby, and was admitted to practice in 1860; came to St. Albans in 1868, and has since resided and practiced at the shire town.
Chester W. Witters was born in Milton, on the 10th of June, 1837. His education was acquired mainly at the Georgia Academy, after which he read law : first with Robert Boyd, of Bristol, Ill., to which place Mr. Witters had gone and was engaged as teacher, being there about one year, and afterward completing his course in the offices of H. B. Smith, of Milton, and H. S. Royce, of St. Albans. He was admitted to the bar at the Franklin county term of court held in September, 1861. Mr. Witters located at Milton, and practiced generally in Chittenden and Franklin counties until 1885, when he moved to St. Albans, having then been appointed receiver of the defunct First National Bank of that place. Mr. Witters has not sought political preferment since his resi- dence in this county, but while living in Chittenden he was state sena- tor for the term of 1878-79. Political preference Republican.
George A. Ballard .- For sketch of Counselor Ballard see chapter on town of Fairfax.
Guy C. Noble .- Mr. Noble is not now a member of the Franklin county bar, except in remembrance ; and while it is not generally within the province of this chapter to make mention of persons not of the present bar, a single exception will not materially violate any propriety. Guy Chaplin Noble was born in Franklin, Vt., October 9, 1839. At the age of eleven years he became a student at the Franklin Academy, and three years later entered the New Hampton Institute at Fairfax, for both the English and classical courses. At the age of nineteen he entered Harvard Law School, and was graduated with the class of '61. He then read law for a time in the office of Royce & Edson, of St. Albans, and was admitted to the bar at the September term of Franklin County Court in 1861. Mr. Noble applied himself diligently and earn-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
estly to professional work, and soon took a place among the leading men of the bar. His practice was continued without material interrup- tion from the fall of 1861 to the time of his death, May 21, 1889.
During the period of his practice Mr. Noble was associated with some of the best lawyers of the county. His first law partner was J. A. Ken- nedy, now in successful practice in Minneapolis, Minn., but their asso- ciation in business was of brief duration, Mr. Noble becoming successor to the firm after a few months. In October, 1862, the law firm com- prised of our subject and Julian H. Dewey, his brother-in-law, was formed, and continued until the death of the latter. Among his later partners were George Gregory Smith, Edward Curtis Smith, sons of J. Gregory Smith, Hiram F. Stevens, now of St. Paul, Minn., and Park Davis.
Mr. Noble was a stalwart Republican, yet had no political ambition. He held offices of trust and responsibility in village affairs, and once represented St. Albans in the lower House of the legislature. He was interested in politics, but had no inclination for office. Upon the organ - ization of the National Republican League Mr. Noble was the Vermont member of the executive committee.
Willard Farrington was born in Winchester, N. H., October 31, 1835. While he was very young his parents moved to this county, locating in Highgate. Willard acquired his early education in the common schools, and went for three terms to the Franklin Academy. Later he read law in the office of Dana R. Bailey, of Highgate, and was admitted to the bar at the September term of the County Court in 1862. During the same fall Mr. Farrington enlisted in Company F, First Vermont Cavalry, and served with that regiment until August 10, 1865. On entering the service Comrade Farrington was appointed sergeant, but was first lieu- tenant when mustered out. Returning from the service he devoted some time to the study of law before commencing practice, for during the time he was South other things than the law demanded his atten- tion. In September, 1868, he was elected state's attorney for the county, from which time his active practice may be said to have dated. The next year he was re elected to the same office. About the time of his election in 1868 Mr. Farrington entered into a law partnership with Frank B. Mcintyre, which continued until the death of the latter,
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THE BENCH AND BAR.
in 1876. In March, 1878, Nathan N. Post, a former student in the office, became the law partner of Mr. Farrington, under the firm name of Farrington & Post, now one of the active firms of the county seat. In 1889 Mr. Farrington was appointed to succeed H. F. Brigham as commercial agent of the United States at Stanbridge, P. Q.
John Ashley Fitch was born in Sheldon, this county, April 25, 1839. He attended the district school of his town, and afterward the academy at Franklin and also at Bakersfield. In 1858 he entered Middlebury Col- lege, and was graduated in 1862; read law with Dana R. Bailey, of Highgate, and was admitted to practice at the April term of court in 1865. But before his admission, and in, 1862, Mr. Fitch enlisted in Company E, Twelfth Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months. His first law partner was G. W. Newton, the firm being Fitch & Newton, and place of practice Highgate. This firm continued about ten years, after which Mr. Fitch continued alone until May, 1890, when he moved to the county seat and became one of the firm of Ballard, Burleson & Fitch. During his residence in Highgate, and for a period of twenty- one years, Mr. Fitch held the office of deputy collector of customs. In 1886 he represented Highgate in the Assembly.
Edward Henry Powell was born in the town of Richford on the 3d of September, 1839. He was educated at the institution in Fairfax, and at the Potsdam (N. Y.) Academy. In 1862 he enlisted and was ap- pointed sergeant in Company F, Tenth Vermont Infantry, but was after- ward transferred by order of the war department and commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth United States Colored Troops. Return- ing from the service in 1864 Mr. Powell entered the University of Ver- mont, but was not graduated. He located for practice in his native town, where he has ever since resided. In 1866 he was appointed in- spector of customs for the Richford district, and held during that and the succeeding two years; was state's attorney in 1872 and '73 ; repre- sented the town in 1874; and was elected to the Senate in 1878. In the same year, also, Colonel Powell was elected state auditor, and has since been re-elected with the expiration of each term of office.
Ralph Orson Sturtevant was born in Weybridge, Addison county, Vt., the 3d of September, 1839. While young, Mr. Sturtevant learned the trade of painting and worked at it from his thirteenth to his twenty-first
31
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ÍSLE COUNTIES.
year of age. He attended the common and select schools of Weybridge, and also the Bakersfield Academy, and from 1859 to 1866 taught school during the winters in the towns of Weybridge, Cambridge, Fairfield, Swanton and Franklin, except during the single school season of 1862- 63, when he was in the army. Our subject enlisted in August, 1862, in Company K, Thirteenth Regiment Vermont Volunteers, and served during one year, during the time participating in the memorable Gettys- burg battle, his command forming part of Stannard's famous brigade. In 1865 Mr. Sturtevant commenced reading law with Judge Wilson, afterward continuing with Hon. E. A. Sowles, and was admitted to practice in 1867. He continued with Mr. Sowles until 1869, when he came to Swanton for practice and permanent location. Mr. Sturtevant has been prominent in temperance organizations and work; was dele- gate of the General Lodge of Vermont to the R. W. Grand Lodge of the world at London, England, held in July, 1873. Also he was elected G. W. C. T. of the Grand Lodge of the state in January, 1880, and January, 1881.
Henry R. Start,1 the present speaker of the House in the Vermont legislature, was born in the town of Bakersfield, on the 20th of Decem- ber, 1845. He acquired his early education at the Bakersfield and Barre Academies; read law in the office of M. B. Taylor, and was admit- ted to the bar at the April term of the Franklin County Court in 1867. He at once opened and has ever since maintained an office for practice in his native town, but he has also a partnership relation with Counselor Albert A. Cross, the firm having an office at the county seat. In Bakersfield Mr. Start was formerly associated in practice with Harry E. Rustedt, now of Richford, who was a student in Mr. Start's office. In January, 1881, our subject became a member of the firm of Edson, Cross & Start, of St. Albans, but two years later the firm was divided, and the present law partnership of Cross & Start became estab- lished. Mr. Start is not unknown in either town, county or state poli- tics, he having been for years recognized as one of the Republican leaders in Franklin county. In 1876 he was elected state's attorney, serving two years; was senator in 1878. In 1880 he was elected by
I Since this sketch was written Mr. Start has been elevated to the judgeship of the County and Supreme Courts, the successor to Judge Royce, who declined a re-election.
Henry R. Start-
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THE BENCH AND BAR.
the legislature one of the trustees of the Vermont Reform School, a position he held eight years, and then declined a re- election. In Sep- tember, 1890, Mr. Start was chosen to represent the town in the Assem- bly, and on the organization of the House in October was elected speaker.
Felix W. McGettrick was a native of Fairfield, born November 20, 1847. As a youth he attended the common district school in his town, but his early education was limited, even in this attendance, for his par- ents lived two and one-half miles from the school, too great a distance for a child to walk regularly. When a little older young McGettrick had the benefits of a few terms at select school, but in 1864, when not quite seventeen years old, he entered the army, enlisting in Company E, Sec- ond United States Sharpshooters, and joining that command at Brandy Station, Va. Comrade McGettrick served about a year and a half, and was mustered out in July, 1865. Returning to Vermont he com- menced a course of law study with C. J. Alger of Burlington, and at the same time attended the Fairfax institution. He afterward read in the office of Edson & Rand, of St. Albans, and taught school during the winter season. Mr. McGettrick was admitted to the bar of Franklin county at the September term of court in 1869, and taught school even after becoming a lawyer. Counselor McGettrick first practiced in Fairfield, but soon took up his residence at the county seat. He is known throughout Northern Vermont, and it is no fulsome compliment to say, either, as one of the keenest and brightest criminal lawyers in this region. More than that, Mr. McGettrick is a leading Democrat in the county, and one whose voice has been heard on the stump through- out the state, and even beyond its borders.
Charles P. Hogan was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on the 27th of August, 1843. He was educated in Ireland under an English master, and at the age of thirteen years came with his parents to this country, and to Vermont. Our subject attended the academies at John- son and Morrisville both before and after the war of 1861-65. His en- listment dated December 30, 1861, as private in Company E, 7th Ver- mont Volunteers, and his service continued three years. Returning from the service Mr. Hogan resumed his academic studies, which in due time being completed, he read law in the office of Powers & Gleed
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
of Morrisville, and was thereafter, in May, 1868, admitted to practice in Lamoille county. Mr. Hogan further pursued his legal studies, even after admission, by a course in the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which institution he was graduated in 1869. In January, 1870, he commenced practice in Sheldon, this county, and there remained till October, 1889, when he came to reside at the county seat. Counselor Hogan is an active practitioner in the county, and also one who stands high in the councils of the Republi- can party in both county and state; but he has not been a persistent office seeker or holder, his term as state's attorney from 1878 to 1880, and his term in the Senate, for the session of 1882-83, comprising his principal political holdings.
Albert Parker Cross was born in the city of Boston on the 29th of May, 1846. While our subject was an infant his parents moved to the Canadian province, settling at or near Frelighsburgh, and here he was educated at the common and academic schools. Later in life he read law with M. J. Hill at West Berkshire, and afterwards with Benton & Wilson at St. Albans ; was admitted at the April term in 1869. Locat- ing for practice at the county seat Mr. Cross became the law partner of R. C. Benton, which continued about two years, when our subject and C. H. Benton went to Minneapolis, Minn., and "went into law busi- ness." This was in the fall of 1872, but in July of the next year Mr. Cross returned to St. Albans. About January 1, 1874, he became one of the law firm of Benton, Hill & Cross, which continued about a year. After this Mr. Cross engaged for a time in journalism, but in April, 1876, became the law partner of Gov. Underwood at Burlington. In Febru- ary, 1877, Mr. Cross returned to St. Albans as one of the firm of Edson, Rand & Cross, which continued till January, 1881, when Judge Rand retired, and Henry R. Start entered the firm, the style then changing to Edson, Cross & Start. This firm was dissolved January Ist, 1884, and the present active firm of Cross & Start was then formed. Mr. Cross has been a somewhat prominent person in the politics of Franklin county, but has not appeared as a successful candidate for general offices. In fact, as is very well known, Mr. Cross is a radical Democrat, while the majority of the voters of the county are followers of Republicanism. But this is nothing against Mr. Cross's personal or professional popular-
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ity, for in the county town he has been called to fill responsible posi- tions, and that notwithstanding the opposing majority of electors. In 1887 he was chosen one of the village trustees, and in 1888 elected presi- dent of the board, holding two years. In 1890 he was the Democratic nominee for the Senate, but, as was expected, was defeated.
Joseph H. Montefiore was born in St. Albans on the 19th of March, 1849. He was educated in the common schools and the academies of St. Albans and Lawrenceville. He became a printer, a practical printer, and further acquired a fair knowledge of journalism in general, but he turned his attention to the law, reading in the office of Counselor Myron Buck, and was admitted in April, 1869. During his law clerkship, and even after his admission to practice, Mr. Montefiore was publisher of the Vermont Transcript, a paper that afterward merged into the Messenger. After this he established the St. Albans Transcript and managed it about six months, then selling out and devoting himself to the law. In 1873 Mr. Montefiore emigrated to Baldwin, Minn., where he practiced law and edited the Baldwin Bulletin, continuing in that double occupa- tion until 1879, when he sold the paper and became city editor at Still- water of the Minneapolis Tribune. In 1880 our subject returned to St. Albans and resumed the law practice.
Chauncey G. Austin was born in Westford, Vt., October 21, 1845, and became a member of the Franklin county bar by admission at the April term of court in 1870, after a course of law study under the instruction of Counselor George A. Ballard, of Fairfax. Mr. Austin, upon his ad- mission to practice, at once located at Highgate, where he has since re- sided, devoting his entire attention to the work of the profession, and having no lot or parcel in politics.
Harry E. Rustedt, the present county supervisor of public schools, is an Englishman by nativity, having been born at Thorne, Yorkshire, De- cember 25, 1849; but when our subject was ten years old his parents came to America, locating at Sudbury, this state, where his father had the pastorate of the Congregational church. Our subject prepared for college at the Barre Academy, and, in 1867, entered the University of Vermont, and was graduated with the class of '71. He read law with H. R. Start, of Bakersfield, at the same time teaching school in that locality, and was admitted to practice law at the April term of 1873.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
After practicing with Mr. Start for about a year Mr. Rustedt located at Richford, at which place he has since resided. In 1880 our subject was clected state's attorney, and held the office one term ; his appointment to the supervisorship of county schools was made by the county board in May, 1889.
William D. Stewart was born in Fairfield, on the IIth of January, 1849; was educated at the New Hampton Institute, at Fairfax, the State Normal School at Johnson; read law under the direction of Will- iam C. Wilson at St. Albans; was admitted to practice at the April term of the County Court in 1873. He practiced with Mr. Wilson for about a year, and then opened an office at Bakersfield, where he is still located, devoting his attention exclusively to his profession, and enjoying a fair share of the law practice of his locality.
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