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 23
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 23
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Alfred A. Hall, more popularly known as Colonel Hall, a title which came to him through his connection with the state military organiza- tions and his position on Governor Pingree's staff, is a native Vermonter, and was born at Athens, Windham county, on the 3 Ist of December, 1848. His early education was acquired in the common schools, and supplemented by three years' attendance at the Leland and Gray Semi- nary at Townshend, following which he taught school several winters in Windham county, and came in 1870 to St. Albans and entered upon a course of law study in the office of Davis & Adams, then practicing at- torneys of the county seat. At the April term of County Court in 1873 Mr. Hall was admitted to practice in the County Court; his admission to the Supreme Court dated January, 1874. On the Ist of January, 1874, the law firm of Wilson & Hall was formed, a partnership that has existed to the present day ; and it is a somewhat noticeable fact that although both members of this firm are comparatively young men, their partnership is one of the oldest in the profession in the county ; more than that, it is recognized as one of the strongest. Although he takes considerable interest in political affairs Colonel Hall is by no means a politician or political office seeker ; and such positions as he has ac- cepted have been those connected with the institutions of the village of St. Albans, to which he could give proper attention without interfering with his professional work. In the Masonic order Colonel Hall stands specially prominent, not only locally, but throughout the state. To
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THE BENCH AND BAR.
his generosity are the readers of this volume indebted for the chapter on Free Masonry.
Herbert F. Brigham was born in Bakersfield, July 13, 1852, and, of course, as a native of that town, must have received at least a part of his early education at the academic institution which has made the town celebrated. His legal education was acquired in the office of Henry R. Start of Bakersfield, supplemented by a course of law study in the Uni- versity of Michigan. Mr. Brigham was admitted to the Franklin county bar in 1873, and entered the university afterward. After a few years spent in the extreme West Mr. Brigham returned to his native town and engaged in practice. In 1882 and 1884 our subject was elected repre- sentative of his town in the General Assembly. In 1885 he was ap- pointed commercial agent of the United States at Stanbridge, P. Q., and served in that capacity four years. In 1890 Mr. Brigham was nomi- nated by the Democratic State Convention to the office of governor; but of course he was defeated at the polls, but the nomination was none the less a compliment, and the general public, without the distinction of party, say that it was worthily bestowed. Further than this, when Mr. Brigham's successful opponent-the present governor-appointed his staff, our subject was recognized, and made its chief.
Nathan Nichols Post was born in Georgia, on March 10, 1852; was educated in the common schools and at the Georgia Academy ; read law with Farrington & McIntyre, of St. Albans, and was admitted to prac- tice at the April term of court in 1876. After his admission Mr. Post remained in the office, taking the place of Mr. McIntyre, who was out of health at the time; and upon his death our subject succeeded to the firm, the style then changing to the present name-Farrington & Post.
Bennett C. Hall was born in Fairfield, December 1, 1850; was edu- cated at the common schools, the normal school at Johnson, and the New Hampton Institute; read law with E. A. Sowles, esq., of St. Albans, and was admitted to practice at the April term in 1876. In connection with his practice Mr. Hall has for some years been justice of the peace, and is now serving on his fourth year as collector of taxes.
George W. Burleson was born in Berkshire, March 23, 1845, and was descended from one of the old families of that locality, and of Revolu-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
tionary stock. Our subject was educated at the Franklin Academy, and read law in the office of John A. Fitch. He was admitted at the April term of County Court in 1876. But Captain Burleson is entitled to mention in a connection other than the legal profession. In May, 1861, he enlisted as private in Company C, First Regiment Vermont Volun- teers, and served throughout the term of three months In October, 1861, he re-enlisted as sergeant in Company K, Sixth Regiment ; was promoted regimental quartermaster-sergeant December 1, 1862; was promoted first lieutenant of Company F, but transferred to Company C ; and was promoted captain of the latter in April, 1865. It was not until after his return from the army that Captain Burleson read law and was admitted to practice at the bar. For a number of years he practiced in Franklin and Fairfield, but in 1885 formed a partnership at the county seat with George A. Ballard, the firm name being Ballard & Burleson, which so remained until May, 1890, when Mr. Fitch came into the firm, and the name then changed to Ballard, Burleson & Fitch. Captain Burleson is a Democrat, and as such he was elected state's attorney in 1884, for a term of two years; but on April 1, 1886, he resigned the office to accept the appointment of deputy collector of customs at the port of St. Albans, which position he held until succeeded by Major Seymour H. Wood in March, 1890. He was then appointed customs agent of the Central Vermont and Grand Trunk roads, having local charge at St. Albans and general charge on the road.
D. G. Furman is a practicing attorney of the county, residing at the village of Swanton. Mr. Furman came to the local bar by admission at the September term in 1876, but further than this the writer cannot say, for the most persistent effort to obtain data for a suitable sketch has proved a failure.
Henry Augustus Burt was born in Fairfield, September 15, 1853. He was educated at the Swanton Academy, and prepared for college, after which he entered the sophomore class at Norwich University, and from which he was graduated in 1873. He read law in the office of his father, Henry Adams Burt, and was admitted to practice at the Septem- ber term in 1876. For some time after his admission Mr. Burt was in the western country engaged in civil engineering, but on returning to Swanton engaged in law practice with his father, the firm now being
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Burt & Burt. For several years our subject held the responsible posi- tion of superintendent of public schools in Swanton.
Edward Curtis Smith was born in St. Albans, January 5, 1854. He was educated at the local academy, and at Phillips Academy at Andover, from which latter he was graduated in 1871; entered Yale the same year, and was graduated with the class of 1875 ; entered Columbia Law School in 1875, and was graduated in 1877. From 1877 to 1884 Mr. Smith practiced law in St. Albans, but with the last named year found himself gradually withdrawing from the general practice, and his atten- tion given almost wholly to the arduous responsibilities of railroad work and management in connection with the Central Vermont company, of which he became one of the vice-presidents. In September, 1890, Mr. Smith was elected to the legislature by an almost unanimous vote.
Otis N. Kelton was born in Montgomery on the 3d of April, 1844; was educated in the common schools and at the Brandon Academy ; read law in the office of J. S. Tupper of Montgomery, and was admitted at the September term of court in 1877. Mr. Kelton was also a grad- uate of Eastman's Business College, a somewhat noted institution of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Mr. Kelton has also practiced in Montgomery, and in connection therewith has held nearly all the town offices, having been treasurer since 1867, town clerk since 1879, besides on occa- sion holding the offices of lister, town agent, and member of the county board of education. Likewise, in 1874 and 1876, he represented his town, and in 1882 was a member of the higher branch of the legislature.
William Henry Fairchild was born in Fairfield, January 31st, 1853, and has ever since been a resident of the town, and is now one of its active business as well as professional men. Mr. Fairchild was admitted to the bar in Franklin county at the September term in 1877, and his general and legal education embraced courses of study in the common schools, the Vermont Methodist Seminary, Wesleyan University, Iowa State Agricultural College, and the Law Department of the University of Michigan. He commenced practice at Fairfield in 1878. Mr. Fair- child has held numerous town offices, and was elected state senator in 1890.
Frederick S. Tupper was born in Bakersfield, December 31, 1853, and lived and worked on the farm until he was of age. He then entered
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ÍSLE COUNTIES.
Barre Academy, and was graduated in 1867. In 1877 he attended Harvard Law School, and afterward read law with H. R. Start, and was admitted to the Franklin county bar at the April term in 1879. Mr. Tupper practiced at Troy, Vt., until 1880, when he located at East Fairfield.
Morello S. Gates was born in Franklin, April 22, 1858; read law with Captain George W. Burleson, then in practice at East Fairfield, and with Charles P. Hogan, then of Sheldon, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1880. Mr. Gates has always practiced at East Fair - field.
Stephen E. Royce was born in Berkshire on the 13th of October, 1852. He was educated at the common schools of the county, and under private instruction. About 1876 he commenced reading law with his father, Judge Homer E. Royce, and was admitted to the local bar in September, 1879. Mr. Royce practiced in St. Albans until 1886, when he became interested in manufacturing; and when the Willard Manufacturing Company was organized he was chosen its president. His duties in connection with this industry have had the effect of sub- stantially withdrawing Mr. Royce from professional work.
George Edward Edson was born in St. Albans, March 15th, 1855; was educated at the Norwich University; read law in the office of his father, Henry G. Edson, and was admitted at the September term of court in 1883. The firm of Edson & Edson, of which George E. Edson is the junior partner, was formed in January, 1884.
John H. Mimms, more familiarly known as Captain Mimms, by reason of his prominent connection with the military company of St. Albans, was born in Southwark, shire of Surry, England, on February 19th, 1852. He was educated at the Queen Elizabeth School of London, and came to the United States, and to St. Albans, in 1873. At the September term of the County Court in 1880 Captain Mimms became a member of the legal profession, but has never given his attention par- ticularly to its practice, being fully engaged with the duties of court reporter. During the legislative sessions of 1886, '88, and '90 Captain Mimms served in the capacity of reporter for the House.
Emmet McFeeters was born in Sheldon, April 22d, 1855; was educated at the Franklin and Bakersfield Academies; read law with
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THE BENCH AND BAR.
C. G. Austin of Highgate ; attended the Law Department of the Univer- sity of Michigan ; was admitted to practice in Michigan in February, 1880, and in Franklin county, Vt., September following. In 1881 Mr. McFeeters made a permanent location at Enosburgh Falls, at which place he is still in practice.
William B. Locklin was born in Fairfield, December 21, 1854; was educated at Barre Academy ; read law with Harry E. Rustedt, and was admitted in September, 1880. During the year next after admission Mr. Locklin went West and practiced at Tower City, Dakota, until 1887, when he returned to Vermont. He is located at the thriving little vil- lage of Richford, in association with Counselor H. E. Rustedt.
Alfred K. Brown, the present state's attorney for Franklin county, was born in the town of Sheldon, May 14, 1859. He was educated in the common schools, and at the famous Burr & Burton Seminary at Manchester, Vt., graduating therefrom in 1876. He then entered Dart- mouth College, but was compelled by sickness to leave at the end of his first year. After that he spent a year in Wisconsin, but in 1880 entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, and remained there one year. He then returned to Vermont and his native town, and be- gan a course of law study with Counselor Charles P. Hogan, and was admitted to practice at the September term in 1882. In the fall of the same year Mr. Brown was chosen secretary of the Senate, and re-elected in 1884. In January, 1883, he commenced practice at Richford, in partnership with Colonel E. H. Powell, a relation that has been ever since maintained. In 1888 Mr. Brown was elected state's attorney, and re-elected in the fall of 1890.
Fuller C. Smith was born in St. Armand, P. Q., February 16, 1862, and moved to Enosburgh Falls in 1871; was educated at Brigham Academy, Bakersfield ; studied law and was admitted to practice in October, 1885. For three years Mr. Smith practiced at Vergennes, the law partner of Hon. F. E. Woodbridge. In February, 1888, our sub- ject assumed editorial management of the Vermont Sentry, a newspaper published at St. Albans ; and although Mr. Smith figured as the youngest editor in the state he nevertheless more than doubled the circulation and influence of the paper during the period of his control over it. On April 1, 1890, Mr. Smith retired from the Sentry and was appointed
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
deputy collector and cashier in the United States customs office at the port of St. Albans.
Eugene Albert Ayers was born in Bakersfield, March 26, 1861; attended the Brigham Academy and read law with John A. Fitch and C. G. Austin ; was admitted at the October term in 1886. Mr. Ayers has practiced in Swanton.
Isaac N. Chase was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, May 2, 1833, and came with his parents to Vermont when he was but four years of age. His early education was acquired at the common schools and the Brigham Academy, after which he read law with Captain Burleson, Far- rington & Post, and Ballard & Burleson, and was admitted at the gen- eral term in October, 1886. For a time after his admission Mr. Chase acted as deputy county clerk, but later went into practice at East Fair- field. In March, 1889, he was appointed deputy collector and inspector of customs at St. Albans, a position he now holds.
Hiram Post Dee was born in Georgia on January 31, 1858, and is descended from one of the pioneer settlers of that town. Our subject received his early education at the Georgia Academy, and read law in the office of H. C. Adams, of St. Albans. He was admitted to the bar at the general term of court at Montpelier the 28th of October, 1886. Mr. Dee practiced at the county seat until February, 1890, when he became editor of the Vermont Sentry.
Charles Douglas Watson was a native of St. Albans, born the 29th of July, 1860. He was educated at the St. Albans graded school, and was graduated from the high school in June, 1880. The same year he en- tered the University of Vermont, but was compelled, on account of sickness, to retire before the completion of his course. In September, 1883, he entered the office of Noble & Smith for a course of law study, and there remained until October, 1885, when he entered the Boston University Law School. He completed his course here in one year, receiving a diploma June 3, 1886. By permission of Judge Royce he at once commenced practice, although he was not regularly admitted until October following. Mr. Watson has always practiced at the county seat, and is not entirely unknown in the politics of the county and state. He is a firm Democrat, and as such is one of the leaders of that party in Northern Vermont, and occasionally its candidate. In the fall elec-
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THE BENCH AND BAR.
tion of 1890 Mr. Watson was the nominee of his party for the office of state's attorney, but persons acquainted with Franklin county politics know full well that the Democratic candidates are not frequently elected unless something happens to overthrow the large majority on the other side.
Ezekiel Augustus Ashland was born in Champlain, N. Y., the 10th of June, 1857; read law with Wilbur H. Dunn, at Champlain, for two years, but in August, 1886, came to St. Albans and finished his course with Wilson & Hall. He was admitted at Montpelier in October, 1887, and has since practiced at St. Albans.
Alvah H. George was born in St. Albans on February 8th, 1868 ; was educated at the St. Albans High School, graduating with the class of '86 ; read law with Farrington & Post, and was admitted at the Octo- ber term in 1889. Mr. George is now in practice at St. Albans.
Edward B. Flinn was born in Milton, October 24, 1863, and became a resident of St. Albans in 1887. His early education was acquired while living in Chittenden county, being a course at the Essex Classical Institute and a private course under Prof. Cilley, of Jericho, Vt. Mr. Flinn taught school for sixteen terms, and was for a time principal of the Milton graded school. He read law with Noble & Smith and Ballard & Burleson, and was admitted at the October general term in 1890. Counselor Flinn was appointed justice of the peace in 1889, and elected in 1890 ; also he is grand juror of St. Albans.
Daniel W. Steele was born in Highgate on October 13th, 1862; was educated in the common schools, and also the Franklin County Gram- mar School. He taught school for twelve terms. In 1887 he com- menced reading law with C. G. Austin of Highgate, and was admitted to practice in October, 1890. He is located at Highgate Center.
Register of the Grand Isle County Bar .- Philo Berry, I. P. Richard- son, Samuel Miller, Eleazer Miller, Asa Robinson, Solomon Morgan, W. C. Harrington, Samuel Holton, Morey Woodworth, Alvan Foote, Stephen Royce, Asa Aldis, Truman A. Barber, Giles Harrington, Frederick Hazen, Charles H. Perrigo, Benjamin Swift, John Smith, Orlando Stevens, Stephen S. Brown, James Davis, B. Paddock, Bates Turner, Levi Richardson, John Brownson, John Gregory Smith, H. R. Beardsley, Asa O. Aldis, C. Beckwith, William W. White, A. G. Whit-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
temore, Isaac B. Bowdish, John M. Sowles, David G. Dixon, Julius S. Fisk, Levi Underwood, L F. Edwards, H. B. Smith, George F. Ed- munds, E. R. Hard, T. E. Wales, Jeremiah French, Charles J. Alger, R. S Taft, William G. Shaw, Harry Hill, S. E. R. Ladd, Josiah H. Adams, Paul Dodge, C. P. Van Ness, George Robinson, Daniel Bene- dict, Elnathan Keyes, William A. Griswold, Charles Adams, Phineas Lyman, Asahel Langworthy, T. Rich, Levi House, Heman Allen, N. L. Whittemore, Henry Adams, B. H. Smalley, J. F. Thompson, B. F. Bailey, Amos Blodgett, Sanford Gadcomb, A. W. Hyde, Charles Russell, D. A. Smalley, Milo L. Bennett, Hector Adams, L. F. Nutting, George F. Houghton, H. E. Seymour, John J. Deavitt, James S. Burt, Edward A. Sowles, Henry G. Edson, Henry C Adams, E. M. Smalley, Henry A. Burt, Jed P. Ladd, L. D. Eldridge, John M. Haurican, Solon S. Clark, James A. Brown, Heman S. Royce, Jasper Rand, Julian Dewey, Guy C. Noble, Dana R. Bailey, R. C. Benton, Park Davis, William D. Wilson, James Brown, Henry Harrington.
The foregoing purports to be and is a list of the attorneys who have practiced at the bar in the county, regardless of the fact whether or not they were residents of the county ; as a matter of fact it may be stated that the majority of the persons named have not been at any time resi- dents of the county, but were admitted to practice therein in compliance with the requirements of the rules of the court.
The Present Bar .- At the present time the Grand Isle county bar is comprised of but four legal gentlemen, and two of these are substan- tially out of practice, while the third is but an embryo lawyer, not being admitted, but nevertheless recognized in the profession and at present holding the office of state's attorney for the county. This person is Jed P. Ladd, jr., the son of Hon. Jed P. Ladd of Alburgh Springs, the senior practitioner now at the bar in the county, and the only lawyer therein now in active practice.
Jed P. Ladd was born in the town of North Hero, September 28th, 1828. He was educated at the St. Albans and Georgia Academies, and read law, commencing in 1844, with Giles Harrington. He was ad- mitted to practice law in Grand Isle county in 1858, and has ever since practiced in the region of Northern Vermont. In Grand Isle county there has been no man more prominently connected with its civil and
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
political history during the last thirty-five years than Mr. Ladd; and there has been hardly an office, either town or county, in the gift of his fellow people that he has not held. He lived in North Hero till thirty - five years of age and then moved to Alburgh, his present residence. He was town clerk of North Hero ; county clerk from 1856 to 1862 ; state's attorney by appointment for a time; represented Alburgh from 1874 to 1878 ; senator in 1868 and '69 ; state auditor and comptroller from 1876 to 1878. During the war of 1861-65 Mr. Ladd occupied a prominent position, being superintendent of the recruiting service in the county. Although not entirely out of professional work, Mr. Ladd justly feels that he has earned his retirement and devotes much of his time to his private affairs and interests.
Josiah H. Adams was born in Grand Isle, July 24th, 1840; was edu- cated in the common schools and the Swanton and South Hero Acad- emies ; studied law with Hon. George F. Edmunds at Burlington, and with Beckwith & Johnson at Plattsburgh, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1861. He has practiced in New York state, Colorado and Ver- mont ; was state's attorney for Grand Isle county from 1875 to 1879, and from 1881 to 1885. Mr. Adams now resides in Grand Isle town.
Solon S. Clark is the third attorney of the courts now resident in Grand Isle county, and a dweller on the island of South Hero.
CHAPTER XV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION-ITS SOCIETIES AND REPRESENTATIVES.
W HEN we consider the importance and elevated character of the science of medicine-its object, the preservation of the health and lives, the healing of diseases, and the amelioration of the physical and mental sufferings of our fellow human beings-its extent embrac- ing a knowledge of all science-it is evident that medical education should engage the earnest attention of the entire profession. The ad- vances made in all the branches of knowledge, and especially in the science of medicine, during the past century have exceeded in extent
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ÍSLE COUNTIES.
and value those of all past ages; and it is no longer possible to com- press its vast domain within the narrow limits of the " seven professor- ships." The present age owes its wonderful progress to experimental and scientific research.
Evolution and development are the talismanic watchwords of the nineteenth century, and the doctrine is now being accepted that things in the world do grow, and are not made; it is no longer universally believed as a matter of religious faith that the world was created by supernatural power, for many of our deepest thinkers, men of the most profound understanding, believe that it has been gradually unfolded by the action of natural causes. But, not wishing to be accused of heresy, it may be stated that whether the theory be according to Darwin or Hackel or Spencer, or some other philosopher, the law will be the same in any case, and away back, behind "protoplasm," "germinal matter," and " cellular germ," there still exists abundant proof of a " first great cause," of an " Infinite Wisdom," for the depth of which language hath not expression. A flood of light on this subject is now pouring forth on the world, but its acceptation as a convincing truth rests in a great measure with the individual.
Science and enterprise have spanned the continent with electric wires, cabled the Atlantic Ocean, given us the measurements of revolving planets, spread forth the canvass to the gale, and made the trackless ocean a highway through the world. By the use of scientific and cunningly devised instruments bleak skies and rude winds are foreseen, and the navigator places himself in safety. The electric light has dis- placed gas as effectually as the latter did the " tallow dip," and is established upon a secure commercial basis. School-houses, churches, newspapers, and books open up to the poorest the lights and oppor- tunities of knowledge.
The wealth of nations increases, and we see all the arts of life ap- proaching nearer and nearer perfection. In science, art, and literature each succeeding generation is wiser than its predecessor. The mistakes of past experience serve as beacon- lights to warn us off the rocks and shoals of error, and guide us to the port of truth.
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