USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 94
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Mr. Veazey was actuated by clear convic- tion of duty and animated by patriotic en- thusiasm when he enlisted as a private in Co. A of the 3d Regt. Vt. Vols. When the company was organized in the month of May, 1861, he was elected to the captaincy, and in the following August received promo- tion to the ranks of major and lieutenant- colonel, and continued to hold the latter rank until sent home to bring out a new regiment in the fall of 1862. On the 27th of September, 1862, he was elected colonel of the 16th Regt. Vt. Vols. With this gal- lant body of men he continued to serve until August 10, 1863, when, with his regiment at the expiration of its term, he was mustered out of the service of the United States. General Hancock then assured him a briga- diership if he returned to the service, but his health would not permit. During his mili- tary experience Colonel Veazey took part in many of the battles of the Army of the Potomac. For some time he was a member of the staff of Gen. W. F. (Baldy) Smith, and on several occasions was placed in command of other regiments besides his own. In the seven days' battles before Richmond, in 1862, he was a participant, commanding either his own regiment or some other to which he was temporarily detailed. At Get- tysburg the 16th Vt. formed a part of the third division of the First Army Corps under General Doubleday, and actively shared in the sanguinary encounters of the three days of the greatest battle of the war. In the battle of the second day, near its close, his regiment was in the fight between the corps of General Sickles and the rebel forces un- der General Longstreet.
That evening Colonel Veazey was ordered to take his regiment and others and establish a picket line along that portion of the field
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where the battle of the second day had been longhi. The position of the Sixteenth in that hne was along that part where Long street's corps made the famous charge of the thund das. This is popularly known as Pick eu's charge. Veazey's regiment was, there fore, in the pathway of Pic kett's division, and not having been relieved on the morn mg of the third, on account of the difficulty of doing n, owing to the severity of the skir- mishing on the picket line during the morn ing, was the first to be struck by the charg ing cohuun. Under Veazey's order the men resisted the rebel skirmishers, but when their main lines approached, Veazey, instead of falling back through the Union lines, moved his men to the left just far enough to uncover the rebel front, and thereby had them in position to attack their flank as the column passed him. About that time General Han- cock, then commanding all that portion of the Union lines, dashed down to the danger point where Pickett's charge was aimed, and was there wounded and bleeding on the field as Veazey moved his regiment back and to right to take position on the left of the Thirteenth Vermont in the deadly as- sault made by these regiments, which crushed Pickett's right flank. In this movement V'eazey passed where Hancock was bleeding and refusing to be taken from the field. The latter watching and appreciating the move- ment, said to Veazey : "That's right, Colo- nel, go in and give 'em hell on the flank." Veazey's next move was to get his men into line, as they were scattered over the field gathering in prisoners, and again change front to the left and charge the flank of Perry's and Wilcox's approaching brigades, which he crushed, capturing many hundred prisoners and two stands of colors. This was the substantial close of the battle of Gettysburg. This young officer's feats in the battle gave him a national reputation, and secured him a medal of honor, under a resolution of Congress, having upon it an inscription as follows: "The Congress to Col. Wheelock G. Veazey, 16th Vt. Vols. For Distinguished Gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863."
Colonel Veazey returned to Vermont in 1863, and, as soon as health badly shattered in the service would permit, resumed the practice of his profession at Rutland, and continued in practice until October, 1879.
From 1864 to 1873, by virtue of eight con- secutive elections, he served as reporter of the Supreme Court, and in this capacity pre- pared nine volumes of the Vermont Reports.
In 1872 and 1873, he represented the citi- zens of Rutland county in the state Senate, and officiated in that body as chairman of the commitee on military affairs and also in the committee on the judiciary. In 1874 he
received the appointment of register in bank- ruptcy, and retained it until the repeal of the bankrupt law. In 1878, he and Hon. C. W. Willard were appointed commission- ers by Governor Proctor to revise the laws of the state. The revision was duly made, re- ported, adopted by the Legislature in 1880, and is now in force as the revised laws of Vermont. In the same connection Judge Veazey also made a searching investigation and report to the Legislature upon the sub- ject of court expenses, which resulted in a reduction of the same to a very large amount.
The clevation of a lawyer so competent and judicious to the bench was simply a question of time. It came in 1879 by his appointment as judge of the Supreme Court to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Dunton. Beginning with 1880, and including 1888, Judge Veazey was at cach biennial session elected a judge of the Supreme Court. This position he resigned in 1889 to accept an appointment as a member of the interstate commerce commis- sion, the duties of which important place he continues to perform.
In the educational, financial and cor- porate institutions of the state, Judge Veazey was naturally deeply interested. He was one of the trustees of Dartmouth college from 1879 and until his resignation in 1891 ; he has also been trustee or director of other educational as well as industrial institutions in and out of the state. Before going upon the bench, Colonel Veazey was active in public and political affairs. He was a delegate-at-large to the national Republican convention at Cincinnati, which nominated Rutherford B. Hayes for President. He has always taken the greatest interest in his comrades of the war, and been connected with them in their organizations, state and national. Colonel Veazey was one of the early department commanders of the Grand Army of the Republic in Vermont, and has been president of the Reunion Society of Vermont Officers. In 1890 he was elected commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a position than which there is none more honorable in the Union. In all the high places held by him-in military and civil life-he has kept the respect, won the admiration and had the affection of his old comrades, and of his fellow-citizens. He received the honorable degree of LL. D. from Dartmouth college in 1887.
He was married on the 22d of June, 1861, to Julia A., daughter of Hon. Albin and Julia A. Beard, at Nashua, N. H. They have had four children, two of whom are living.
VAIL, HOMER W., of North Pomfret, son of Joshua and Harriet (Warren) Vail,
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was born in Pomfret, August 5, 1843. A direct descendant of Lieut. Thomas Vail, who was an officer in the old French and Indian war, and fought through the bloody struggles at the capture of Fort Niagara and in the Montreal campaign.
Homer W. received his education in the public schools of Pomfret and the select school. For five years after his majority he was employed in a publishing house in Bos- ton, but was summoned home by the failing health of his father, who shortly afterwards died and left to his care his mother and her younger children.
HOMER W. VAIL.
Mr. Vail was one of the earliest stock raisers in the state to give great attention to the breeding of Jersey cattle. He has made a specialty of dairy products, and at the Na- tional Food Exposition held in New York in 1892, he obtained the gold medal sweep- stakes for the best butter on exhibition.
After holding most of the minor offices in his native town, he was elected by the Repub- licans to represent Pomfret in the Legisla- ture of 1874 and was chosen a senator from Windsor county in 1892. He is president of the Windsor County Agricultural Society and was appointed a member of the board of agriculture by Governor Ormsbee in 1886 and has served continuously in this capacity ever since. He has held for three years the position of New England director of the American Jersey Cattle Club. He has been associated with the Banner Grange of the P.
VIALL.
of H. and is also allied with the Masonic fra- ternity as a member of Woodstock Lodge, No. 31, of Ottaquechee Chapter and a Knight Templar of Vermont Commandery."
He married, March 9, 1880, Sarah A., daughter of Jackson and Sarah (Angier) Vail of Montpelier. Four sons have blessed their union : Ralph (deceased), Solon J., Henry G., and Homer J.
VIALL, GEORGE MARCIUS, of East Dorset, son of I. G. and Helen A. ( Roberts) Viall, was born in Dorset, May 5, 1849.
Of mixed English and Scotch descent. His early educational advantages were the customary ones given in the public schools, and he afterward fitted for college at Elmwood Institute, Lanesborough, Mass. Entering the classical department of Union Univer- sity, Schenectady, N. Y., he graduated at the head of his class, in 1874, with the degree of A. B., receiving the additional honor of A. M.,
GEORGE MARCIUS VIALL,
in 1877. Resolving to devote his life to the medical profession, he commenced his stud- ies in the medical department of the same institution, receiving his diploma in 1876. For a short time he practiced in Dorset, but was compelled by the death of his father and grandfather to devote himself to family in- terests. Accordingly, he took the manage- ment of a large farm on which he has since resided. In addition he has acted as admin- istrator and assignee in the settlement of many important estates, and has held the
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offices of town clerk, treasurer, lister, and trustee of public money.
Politically, Mr. Viall is an adherent of the Democratic party, was elected to the state Senate from Bennington county in 1882, and to the House of Representatives from Dor- set in 1886, serving on several important committees.
He was united in marriage in February, 1876, to Lucy E., daughter of David E. and Hannah E. (Curtis) Deming, of Lanesbor- ough, Mass. Of this marriage there are two children : Lucy Deming, and Helen Eliza.
Mr. Viall is a member of the Episcopal church, but believes that all will be rewarded or punished according to the deeds done in this life without respect to creed or doctrine.
VIALL, WILLIAM B., of West Randolph, son of A. Boynton and Lucy ( Newhall ) Viall, was born in Dorset, Oct. 19, 1842.
WILLIAM B. VIALL.
Receiving the customary education of the public schools in 1862 he entered the em- ployment of the Vermont Central R. R. Commencing at the foot of the ladder with the position of brakeman, he soon displayed qualities suitable to a higher class of work. He has served the corporation in various capacities and is now holding the respon- sible position of adjuster of claims. Though not a lawyer, he is constantly called upon to act for the company in cases involving both business and legal difficulties, and is univer- sally recognized as a man of quick percep- tions, acute judgment and wide general in-
formation, while from his pleasing address he is deservedly popular. For some years he held government contracts for the greater part of the Star route lines of the Western states, besides some in New England.
In 1878 he took up his residence in West Randolph where he served as postinaster during President Cleveland's first adminis- tration, and in 1892 was the nomince of the Democratic party for the office of Lieutenant- Governor.
Hle was united in wedlock, Jan. 29, 1868, to Eunice 1 .. , daughter of Alden and Clarissa (Rice) Lamb of Granville, and they have one daughter : Lucy Clarissa.
VINCENT, WALTER H., of Orwell, son of Horace and Cylinda (Wing) Vincent, was born in East Montpelier, March 31, 1858. His great-grandfather, a physician, came from New Bedford, Mass., when his grandfather Captain Isaac Vincent was thirteen years old, to Montpelier, at a time when there was only one frame house in what is now Montpelier village, having an ox team for conveyance. Coming to the end of the road it then being a dense forest, he cleared the timber off and located his future home and lived there until his death. The farmhouse, over one hundred years old, is now occupied by Horace Vin- cent. The farm proving to be the best in that part of the state, where four genera- tions have thus far spent their lives. It being the old muster grounds for June
trainings made so much of years ago. There has been a physician in each generation of the family of which Walter H. is the present.
Mr. Walter Vincent received a good early education, graduated from Goddard Semin- ary in the college preparatory course, June, 1880, afterwards entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Vermont. Took three regular courses of lectures in the Uni- versity Medical College of Vermont. In the fall of 1883 he removed to New York City, where he became a student at the University of New York, graduating in 1884. He had also profited by the instruction of Dr. Charles M. Chandler, of Montpelier. For three months he was employed in the nursery and hospital of New York as assistant house physician, and then settled in the town of Orwell, July 28, 1884, where he has estab- lished a profitable practice.
He is an enthusiastic Republican and true to his party affiliations. Recently appointed for three years as health officer for Orwell, Whiting and Leicester, he is also one of the board of school directors of his town.
In 1889 he was appointed delegate from the Vermont State Medical Society to that of the state of Rhode Island, and has been the Ad- dison county councilor of the former associa- tion. In 1892 he was honored with the office of
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vice-president of the State Medical Society, and was one of two delegates chosen to be pres- ent at the examination of the medical students of the University of Vermont. He is a mem- ber of the Rutland County Medical Society ; in 1893 he was appointed as a delegate from the Vermont State Medical Society to the American Medical Association at Milwaukee.
Dr. Vincent is a prominent member of the Masonic order, and is at present worshipful master of Independence Lodge, No. 10, of
Orwell, and affiliated with Farmers' Chapter of Brandon, and is also a Sir Knight of the Mt. Calvary Commandery of Middlebury.
He is a thoughtful and considerate man and those who have known him longest speak of him most highly as a gentleman and phy- sician, a kind friend and generous neighbor.
He was married at Rutland, Oct. 8, 1890, to Kate, daughter of A. M. and Harriet Winchester. One son, Paul Winchester, was born August 23, 1892.
WADLEIGH, BENJAMIN F., late of Concord, son of Eliphalet and Ruth ( Pressey) Wadleigh, was born in Sutton, N. H., Dec. 23, 1829.
BENJAMIN F. WADLEIGH.
He was principally educated in the public schools of Kirby, to which place his father had removed when the son was a small boy, and the latter found a good home with Hon. E. W. Church, of Kirby, upon whose farm he was employed until he attained the age of twenty-three years. Forty years ago he settled in Concord, where he gave his atten- tion to trade and was also the proprietor of a hotel. He then made West Concord his place of residence, where he remained until his death in September, 1891. For a time he followed various occupations, but later engaged in insurance business, acting as agent for the Vermont Mutual Fire Insur-
ance Co., at the same time cultivating a small farm near the village. He was well known and universally popular in the com- munity, deservedly possessing the esteem and confidence of all his acquaintances.
He was married at West Concord, Feb. 6, 1859, to Caroline Elvira, daughter of Elmore and Nancy (Taggard) Chase. Six children were issue of the marriage, only three of whom survive : F. Eugene, Elmore E., and Marion I.
Mr. Wadleigh was affiliated with Moose River Lodge, No. 82, F. & A. M., and in his political creed was a Republican with independent tendencies. He had been jus- tice of the peace for several years ; and in 1872 was elected town clerk and treasurer, which position he ably filled until his death. In 1882 he was elected to the Legislature as representative from Concord.
WAITE, HORACE, of Hyde Park, son of Smith H. and Lucinda ( Goodenough) Waite, was born in Fairfield, May 16, 1826.
His education was obtained in the com- mon schools of Sheldon and at Bakersfield Academy. Left an orphan at the age of five he found a home with Asa Grant with whom he remained till he arrived at man's estate and for whom he worked seven years after attaining his majority.
In 1854 he invested his carefully saved earnings in the purchase of a large farm in Eden, where he resided until 1877 when he removed to Morrisville to secure better edu- cational advantages for his family. He has continued to give much attention to his farm, making the dairy its principal feature.
He was united in marriage, Feb. 16, 1853, to Lovisa J., daughter of Benjamin H. and Lydia (McAllister) Leach. Four children are the issue : Smith B., Abbie L. (deceased), Eva B. ( Mrs. Solon Abbott of Biddeford, Me.), and Martin P.
Mr. Waite has always been a member of the Republican party, has often been called to office and when the town of Eden adopted the town system of schools under the optional law, Mr. Waite was elected chairman of the
Ind. In 18og he was elected to represent I den m the General Assembly and served on the grand list committee. He has also served as county commissioner and was assistant judge of Lambille county from 1882 (0 1880.
Since the death of his wife Judge Waite has resided with his son, Smith B. Waite, at Hyde Park. The judge possesses in a rare degree the confidence of his townsmen and has been often called upon to act as audi- tot, referee and guardian in the settlement of numerous estates in his vicinity.
Mr. Waite is an ardent votary of temper- ance, signing the pledge at eight years of age and keeping it inviolate.
WAKEFIELD, WILLIAM WALLACE, of Westfield, son of Alvah and Hannah ( Kimp- ton) Wakefield, was born in Orleans county, June 27, 1844.
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WILLIAM WALLACE WAKEFIELD.
He received his early education in the Lowell public schools, and during his third term at Johnson Academy was one of several students who went to Morrisville and enlisted in Co. M, 1 1th Vt. Vols., in September, 1863. He remained with his command to the close of the war, receiving his discharge in Oc- tober, 1865, was engaged in all the battles from the Wilderness to Petersburg, includ- ing Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, and, with four hundred of his regi- ment, was captured in the engagement near the Welden R. R., but with forty of his com-
rades he had the good luck to make his escape the very first night after he was taken prisoner.
After his return to Lowell he engaged in farming till 1875, when he became inter- ested in the lumber business at Eden, where he remained two years and then formed a partnership under the firm name of Hoyt & Wakefield, to engage in the same line of trade at Westfield. His sterling qualities, both as a citizen and a business man, have called him to many official positions, among which may be enumerated those of select- man, anditor, lister, first constable, and depnty sheriff, which latter position he holds to the present time. In 1892 he was elected high bailiff of Orleans county, and the same year was sent as town representative from Westfield to Montpelier, where he served creditably on several general and special committees.
Mr. Wakefield has for a long time been a member of Masonic Union Lodge No. 16, of Troy, and twelve years since passed through the Royal Arch. He is connected with the Baptist church in Lowell, and has taken a prominent part in Hazen Post, G. A. R. He has always been a strong Re- publican, and an active worker in the party.
February 11, 1866, he married Ruth E., daughter of Daniel and Amanda Newton of Lowell. Of their five children four survive : Emma, Florence, Helen, and Maude.
WALBRIDGE, JOHN HILL, of West Concord, son of Henry and Almira (Hill) Walbridge, was born in Plainfield, June 30, 1847.
His mother dying in his earliest infancy, he was put under the charge of his maternal grand uncle, Chauncey Hill, an extensive farmer and highly respected citizen of Con- cord. Henry moved to St. Johns, Mich., soon after the death of his wife, established himself there as a successful lawyer, and during the civil war served as captain in the 33d Mich. Vol. Infantry.
After having received his early education at the public schools of Concord and St. Johnsbury Academy, Mr. J. H. Walbridge graduated from Lombard University, Gales- burg, Ill., in the class of 1870, in which year he returned to West Concord, and at the earnest solicitation of his foster parents de- cided to remain with them during the remain- der of their lives. Soon after this time he met with severe reverses in business, from the loss by fire of the Essex woolen mills at West Concord, and subsequently through his liability as bondsman and by the failure of debtors. Since these losses he has been principally engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is locally well known as a successful breeder of sheep, dairy stock and colts.
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WALBRIDGE.
He was wedded, April 19, 1872, at West Concord, to Cynthia H., daughter of Elmore and Cynthia (Hill) Chase. They have three children : Henry Chase, Blanche May, and Winifred.
For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Wal- bridge has been affiliated with Moose River Lodge, No. 82, F. & A. M., and for three terms has presided in the East.
JOHN HILL WALBRIDGE.
He has conscientiously and honorably dis- charged the duties of many official positions, among which may be numbered supervisor of schools for Essex county, to which post he was almost unanimously elected. He has been appointed county examiner, justice of the peace, grand juror, and superintendent of schools. In 1888 he was elected, by the largest Republican majority ever given in Concord, a member of the state Legislature, where he labored actively on the committee of education, and was recognized as an in- dependent and forcible debater. He drew and presented a bill reducing the limit of ex- emption from taxation in savings banks, and also reducing the percentage that those in- stitutions and trust companies could invest in Western securities, this last measure be- coming a law. He also drafted and pre- sented the bill which became the present law for the protection of horse owners. Mr. Walbridge is one of the trustees of the John- son Normal School. He is an interested student of history and of current political and economic questions. His hearty good
WALES.
will to all, and genial manners, have gained him a wide circle of friends.
WALES, TORREY ENGLESBY, of Bur- lington, son of Danforth and Lovisa S. Wales, was born in Westford, June 20, 1820.
He graduated from the U. V. M. in the class of 1841 ; studied law with Hon. Asahel Peck of Burlington, and was admitted to the bar of Chittenden county in 1846, and soon after commenced the practice of law in Bur- lington. In 1857, he formed a law partner- ship with Judge Russell S. Taft, under the name of Wales & Taft, which continued twenty-one years. In 1882, he and his son, George W. Wales, became law partners under the name of Wales & Wales ; this firm was dissolved by the death of George W. Wales, in 1890.
TORREY ENGLESBY WALES.
Judge Wales was state's attorney for Chit- tenden county, in 1854-'55-'56 ; mayor of the city of Burlington in 1866-'67; acting mayor in 1870, and for several years he was one of the aldermen of the city. He was a member of the House of Representatives from Burlington, in 1868-'69,-1876-'77. In 1862 he was elected judge of probate for the dis- trict of Chittenden and has ever since held the office by continuous re-elections.
He is one of the original nine incorpora- tors of the Mary Fletcher Hospital, chartered in 1876, and has been its treasurer from the beginning, He is a member of the board of trustees of the University of Vermont. He is president of the Burlington Law Library
WALKER.
Association, of the Burlington Manufactur- ing Co. ; of the Home for Aged Women, at IamIngton ; of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings lusttution and Trust Co , and vice- president of the Merchants' National Bank.
He has been twice married. His first wile was Elizabeth C., daughter of Silas and Prudence N. Mason ; she died in 1868. For his second wife he married Mrs. Helen M. White, of Boston.
le is a member of the Congregational church.
WALKER, DANIEL C., of North Cam- bridge, son of Lyman and Adeline (Chase) Walker, was born in Cambridge, Dec. 11, 1841. William Walker, his grandfather, came here from Brookfield, Mass., in 1800, and located in the north part of the town, on the farm where byman was born, and resided there to the time of his death in 1879, and where Daniel still resides.
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