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GROUT, W. W., son of Josiah and Sophronia, became
one of the most prominent men in Vermont. When a boy he attended the district
school and afterward the Poughkeepsie Law school, graduating therefrom
in 1857, then went into the law office of Hon. Thomas Bartlett, at Lyndon;
was admitted to the Caledonia county bar soon after. The next year he established
an office at Barton. In 1862 he enlisted in the Fifteenth Vermont regiment
and was chosen lieutenant colonel; served during the term of the regiment
and was mustered out August, 1863. In 1864 the state militia was organized
and Colonel Grout was made General Grout.
In 1865 he was elected state's attorney for Orleans
county, and reelected in 1866. He represented Barton in the legislature
in 1868, 1869, 1870, and 1874. In 1876 he was elected senator from Orleans
county and was chosen president pro tempore of the senate.
In 1880 General Grout was elected to the Forty-seventh congress
from the third district. He was elected, from the second district, to the
Fiftieth, Fifty-first, Fifty-second, Fifty-third, Fifty-fourth, Fifty-fifth,
and Fifty-sixth congresses, always with large majorities, and during his
service in congress he was one of the most active and useful members of
that body. He was always in touch and sympathy with the people, and when
their interests were at stake General Grout always came to their aid, and
came with a purpose and zeal that rarely failed. He was the originator
and main champion of the oleomargarine bill, was especially helpful in
pension claims, as many an old soldier, widow, or orphan well know. In
1900 he retired from active public life and spent the most of his time
upon the old farm.
General Grout married in 1860 Loraine M. Smith of
Glover. Two children were born to them, both of whom died soon after, and
their mother died in 1868. The general was never married again. In 1902
he was stricken with sickness which resulted fatally. He died October 7th,
1902, aged sixty- six years.
Source:
Successful Vermonters, William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical
Publishing Company, 1904, page 125-127.
Prepared
by Tom Dunn, April 2006
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