Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-03-20
THE MEN or VERMONT.
S2.--SAMuEL PRESTIss.

I'm Samuel was born III that place, and
showed in 1888 to Worcester, Msssa-
Shusetts, and subsequently, in 1856, TO
northfeld, in the same State, He be-
ame eminent as physician and surgeon,
nd died at Mortified, Massachusetts, in
BIS,
SAMUEL PRgNTIss, who succeeded Dud-
h. Chase In 1881, as u. s. Senator, was
n son Of DR.. Samuel, and Lucretia Il.
prntiss, and was born in Stonington,
k,w London county, Conn, on the 3lst
a, Of March, 1882. After receiving the
kenef, Of an ordinSry common school ed
vation, be received private instruction
H. the Rev. Samuel C. Ain, then
I minister Of Mortified. With Lin he
pur,ued the course of classical studies,
usually taught in our higher academic
III collegiate institutions.
lie commenced the study of law in the
Mic of Solomon Vose, Esq, of North
ieM. Mass. After a short time he came
II Vermont ard completed his profession
Il preparation with John w. Blake, Esq,
Brauleboro, Windham county, He
sas admitted TO the bar in December,
1SO2-but not having attained his major.
b., he did not enter upon the practice of
b. profession till some time after.
During the year 1903 he. opened an
Mice, and commenced practice at Mont
heller, in the present county of Washing
b., and State o! Vermont, at which
Mace be continued TO reside till his death.
In October 1902, he was elected one of
D. Judges of the Supreme Court of YER
Mont This office he declined TO accept
b. account of his feeble health, and be-
euse he twas unwilling to relinquish a
hcrative profession for the cares of an
office, that besides the honor and respon-
6bility, had little else to commend ii to
" acceptance.
81 In 1924 he represented the town of
Nontpelier in the General Assembly of
Vermont, and was reelected the following
mar In 1925 he was again elected one
I the Judges of the Supreme Court,
hitch, having regained his health, he ac-
cep,ed. He was reelected in 1926, "a
nd '2s. In 1929 he was elected Chief
AIstice of the Supreme Court, and had
leld the position but single year wher
was elected United Sutes Senator
fom Vermont.
We have the evidence Of bis cotempo
rries, that, as Judge, lie secured tn,
confidence and respect of his associate
N the bench, as well as of the bar. III,
sas always courteous and forbearing, alb
Elevated the dignity of the Court by secu
Kng the profound regard and affection o
tbe members of the bar. His decisions
Nere statements of facts and law, in tht
Rost clear and convincing form--and he
20 the rare art of so stating the facts anC
Ppiying the principles of law to them
&st his decisions carried with them the
est satisfactory arguments for their cor
Mctness. It was this art. go necessary
y Judge, that rendered him SO success
nj as an advocate"
IN Quite a number of the ''opinions of the
0urts, written and delivered by him
nay be found in the first three volume,
n the Vermont Reports. They have
ven high character to the judiciary o.
Nis State, and have attracted much atten-
bn ont of the STATE, and been quoted
lnd referred TO in other court, as of grea
hgal weight and value.
a 10 October 1880, Samuel Prentiss wa;
ected in General Assembly, U. 5. Sen
Tor from Vermont. to take his seat a:
bch on the 4th of March. 1881, and t.
bcceed Dudley Chase, whose term o
fice was then to expire. He served the
bill term of six years, and was reelected
br the further term of six years, from ant
4ter March 4th, 1887.
While member of the Senate, he wa,
lsborious and prominent member Of
veral of the standing committees of tina
pdy. Among these may be mentioned
be Committee on the Judiciary, tn,
ommittee on Public Lands, and thu
ommittee on Patents and the Paten
Office.
As a member of the Committee OF
Xublic Lands, he opposed the resolution
m