ASSISTANT JUDGES SINCE 1825

STATE'S ATTORNEYS

JUDGES AND REGISTERS OF PROBATE

DISTRICT OF RUTLAND
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DISTRICT OF FAIRHAVEN
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      We appropriate the sketch of the sheriffs of the county from the paper prepared for the County Historical Society by J. C. Williams, on account of its biographical value, as well as the fact that it constitutes a complete list: 

      Abram IVES, of Wallingford, was the first sheriff, elected in 1781, and served four years, or until 1785. He was one of the early settlers of Wallingford, and kept a hotel there for many years. He is said to have been a good citizen, and also kept a model hotel. He was a personal friend of Ethan ALLEN, at whose house the latter often visited. On account of some irregularity in selling the tract of land known as Mendon, and fearing prosecution, he resigned his office and went back to Connecticut, where he died at an advanced age.

      Jonathan BELL, of Tinmouth, was the second sheriff, elected in 1785, and served to 1802, a period of seventeen years. He was a good sheriff and popular with the people, and hence his re-election to the office for so many years. Tinmouth previous to 1785 was the county seat, where the jail and court-house were situated. He came to Tinmouth in 1778, and was for many years one of the prominent men of that town.

      Arunah W. HYDE, of Castleton, was the third sheriff; elected in 1802, and served seven years, or until 1809.

      Eleazer FLAGG, of Clarendon, succeeded Mr. HYDE. He served but three years, from 1809 to 1812.

      Ralf  PAIGE, of Rutland, who was born in Hardwick, Mass., August 27, 1769, was next elected in 1812, and served but one year. He died in Rutland, August 20, 1857.

      Erastus BARKER, of Tinmouth, was elected in 1813, and served one year. He was again elected in 1875, serving two years, and again in 1818, and served one year, making four years in all. He was a man well known and was prominent in town and county affairs, being highly respected as a citizen.

      Thomas HOOKER, of Rutland, was the seventh sheriff; elected in 1874, serving one year only.

      William FAY, of Rutland, who was born in Hardwick, Mass., November 12, 1780, was next elected in 1817, and served one year. He died in Rutland, July 31, 1840.

      Jonathan DYKE, of Rutland, but who was born in Chittenden, April 16, 1786, succeeded Mr. BAKER as sheriff in 1879, and served until 1831, a period of twelve years. He was also a popular sheriff and possessed the confidence of the people. But three others held the office for a longer period than he did. He moved to Illinois in 1845.

      Jacob EDGERTON, jr., was elected in 1831 and served two years, or until 1833. He was again elected in 1841, and served until December 1, 1861, a period of twenty years, making twenty-two years in all.

      John A. Conant, of Brandon, was elected in 1833, and served but two years.

      Ira PARSONS, of Rutland, succeeded Mr. CONANT as sheriff in 1835, and served until 1841, a period of six years.

      William M. FIELD, of Rutland, the sixteenth sheriff, was elected in 1861, and served until 1878, a period of seventeen years.

      D.P. PEABODY, of Pittsford, the present incumbent, succeeded Mr. FIELD in 1878, and has held the office since.

      Of  the ex-sheriffs, as will be seen by the above list, but three are now living, viz.: Jacob EDGERTON, John A. CONANT, and William M. FIELD. Mr. Edgerton held the office of sheriff the longest, having served twenty-two years in all. He still resides at Rutland in his eighty-second year. Although advanced in age, he retains his mental vigor, and is quite active in business pursuits. He has been very prominent in town and county politics for many years, and is considered a safe counselor in matters of everyday life. Mr. EDGERTON has been honored from time to time with various positions of trust and responsibity, and retains in a remarkable degree the confidence of all who know him.

      John A. CONANT still resides at Brandon, where he was born in 1800. He rarely discharged the duties of the office, and they were mostly entrusted to his deputies. Ira PARSONS, as deputy, who succeeded Mr. CONANT, took up his residence in Rutland, performing the duties there. Mr. CONANT, although somewhat feeble in health, has been active in business affairs for many years, and is respected by all.

      William M. FIELD, as will be seen, served the next longest as sheriff, his reelection to the office for so many years being a compliment well bestowed on a faithful and efficient officer. He still resides at Rutland, and is now president of the Rutland Savings Bank.

      D.P. PEABODY, the present incumbent, assumed the office of sheriff December 1, 1878, this being the eighth year of service. Mr. PEABODY maintains dignity in the office, discharging its duties personally, so far as able, has a good corps of deputies, and is a worthy and efficient officer. It is hoped he will live to score a longer number of years as sheriff than any of his predecessors.
 
 

      Continuing we quote from a paper prepared for the County Historical Society on the Rutland county Senators, by Hon. Seneca M. Dorr, as follows, the extract being valuable for its biographic notes:

      In 1867 the Senators elected from Rutland county were Ira C. ALLEN, of Fairhaven; Capen LEONARD, of Pittsford; John PROUT of Rutland. All had previously been members of the House. Mr. ALLEN was a marble dealer, fifty-one years of age. Mr. LEONARD, a farmer, fifty-nine years of old, and John PROUT, a lawyer, and forty-nine years of age. 

      In 1868 the same Senators were elected.

      In 1869, Merritt CLARK of Poultney, George A. MERRILL, of Rutland, Lucius COPELAND, of Middletown, were elected Senators from our county. All these gentlemen had seen previous service in our Legislature. Mr. MERRILL was a native of New Hampshire, was also Secretary of Civil and Military affairs in 1860-61, and Mr. CLARK and Mr. COPELAND were both natives of Middletown.

      In 1870 Messrs. MERRILL and COPELAND were re-elected to the Senate, and Rodney C. ABELL, of Westhaven, a veteran legislator, occupied the place of Senator Clark.

      In 1872 our board of county Senators consisted of Nathan T. SPRAGUE, of Brandon, Wheelock G. VEAZEY, of Rutland, L. Howard KELLOGG, of Benson, Henry C GLEASON, of Shrewsbury. Mr. SPRAGUE was born in Mount Holly, Mr. VEAZEY in New Hampshire, Mr. KELLOGG in Benson and Mr. GLEASON in Shrewsbury. Mr. GLEASON and Mr. KELLOGG had both been members of the House, and Mr. SPRAGUE was a member of the House subsequent to this in 1876 and 1878.

      In 1874 our county was represented in the Senate by Redfield PROCTOR, of Rutland, Simeon ALLEN, of Fairhaven, Luther P. HOWE, of Mount Tabor, Fayette HOLMES, of Sudbury. Mr. PROCTOR was a native of Proctorsville, Mr. ALLEN of Fairhaven, Mr. HOWE of Ludlow, and Mr. HOLMES of Hubbardton. The first three had before their election as Senators been members of the House.

      In 1876 Ner P. SIMONS, of Rutland, Samuel WILLIAMS, of Castleton, Henry F. LOTHROP, of Pittsford, Charles W. BRIGHAM, of Pittsfield, were, elected Senators, Mr. SIMONS was born in Williamstown, November 1, 1831, and had not before been a member of the Legislature. Samuel WILLIAMS was born in Rutland, January 8, 1837, was assistant clerk of the House in 1858 and 1859 and secretary of civil and military affairs in 1861-65. Mr. LOTHROP was born in Easton, Mass., March, 1820, and had represented his town of Pittsford in the Legislature. Mr. BRIGHAM was born in Barnard, May 17, 1831, and had already had legislative experience in the House.

      In 1878 the Senators were Horace H. DWYER, of Rutland, Ebenezer J. ORMSBEE, of Brandon, Levi RICE, of Tinmouth, Charles A. RANN, of Poultney. Mr. DYER was born in April, 1820, and had held no legislative office previous to his election as Senator. Mr. ORMSBEE was born in Shoreham, June 8, 1834. He represented his town in the Legislature in 1872, and is a lawyer. Mr. RICE is a merchant and farmer, was born in 1826 and represented Tinmouth in the Legislature in 1853-54. Mr. RANN was born in Poultney, May 23, 1823. He is a farmer and produce dealer, and has represented his town in the Legislature.

      The senators for 1880 were: Walter C. DUNTON, of Rutland; Royal D. KING, of Benson; Orel COOK, of Mendon; Eemmett R. PEMBER, of Wells. Mr. DUNTON was born in Bristol, November 29, 1830. He was for many years judge of probate of the Rutland District, and one of the judges of the Supreme Court. This is his first term as a legislator in our State. Mr. KING was born in Benson, November 17, 1825, and was representative from Benson in 1852-54. Mr. COOK is a physician, lumber dealer and farmer. He was born in Rutland, December 7, 1813, and has represented Mendon in the Legislature. Mr. PENDER was born in Wells, September 21, 1846.

"History of Rutland County Vermont with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men & Pioneers"
Edited by H. Y. Smith & W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
History of Rutland County
Chapter X.
(pages 140-148)

Transcribed by Karima, 2002