Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-04-03
THE MEN OF VERMONT,
No. 35.-WILLIAM UpHAM.

born at Leicester, in the county Of Wor-
cester, and State Of Massachusetts, on the
9th day of August, 1892. He was the
son of Captain Samuel Upham, a soldier
of the Revolution, and one of the early
settlers of Montpelier, Vermont, who
died at Randolph, Orange county, May Is,
lS4S, at the advanced age Of So.
William Upham, being then boy OF
but ten years of age, came to Vermont in
1902 with his father and fathers family,
and settled at Montpelier, in the county
of Washington, (then forming portion of
Caledonia county, where he continued
to reside during the remainder Of his life.
He was almost wholly a self-educated
man, having received but little more than
an ordinary common school education
He entered the University of Vermont, at
comparatively early age, but for some
unknown reason, in short time there
after terminated his connection with that
institution. He subsequently, in 1885,
received from that University the honora-
ry degree of Master Of Arts.
Soon after leaving the University of
Vermont he commenced the study of law
at Montpelier, and made such proficiency
in his studies that he was admitted to the
bar, and commenced the practice of his
profession before he had arrived at full
age. His colleague, Hon. Solomon
Foot, y in announcing his death to the
Senate, said can extensive and success
full business at the bar of his own and the
adjoining counties soon rewarded his pro-
fessional labors. By his activity, his en-
ergy, and his persevering devotion to the
profession of his choice and his pride, he
attained an enviable distinction upon a
forum which counted upon the list of its
champions the names of Prentiss, a
Chase, Mattocks, and others of high
eminence as advocates and jurists" He
was States Attorney for the county Of
Washington in 1929.
He represented the town of Montpelier
in the General Assembly of Vermont in
1927 and 1928, and again in 1880, and
was prominent and useful member.
He commenced bis political life as a
National Republican, and afterwards was
an active and prominent leader of the
Anti-Masonic party, which for time, es-
pecially in Vermont, swept before it all
party issues and political questions. Sub.
sequently, during the administration OF
John Quincy Adams, he allied himself to
the Wing party, and was, ever after, one
of its most prominent leaders. During
the administration of Gen. jackson he
twice was nominated to represent the
Montpelier district in the Lower House of
Congress, but on account of the over
whelming Democratic majority in that
district, was, OF course, defeated.
In April 1912, Judge Prentiss, then
United States Senator from Vermont, ha-
wing been appointed, by the President,
Judge of the U. S. Courts for Vermont,
resigned his seat in the Senate. His term
would have expired on the 4th of March,
1843, and his seat for the unexpired
term was filled without difficulty. The
Legislature of Vermont which assembled
in October, 1912, was called UPON to
elect Senator to represent the State for
the full term of six years from the follow
ing 4th of March. After long and pro-
tracted ballotings, and one of the severest
political struggles that ever occurred in
the Legislature of VT, William Upham
was selected from the multitude of candi.
dates, and elected He was subsequently
in 1S48, without serious opposition, re,
elected for the further term of six years
from the 4th of March, 1919.
OF his Senatorial career his colleague
says: "His impaired state of health fol
some years past has restrained him from
participating SO generally and so actively
in the discussions Of this body as his in
clination might otherwise have induced
him to do, or his ability as public deba
ter might perhaps have demanded of him
Nevertheless, his speeches upon severa
important and exciting public questions
bear the peculiar impress of his earnest