The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-07-04
The Late Charles e. Dewey.


Mr.. Dewey was born in West Randolph,
Vt., june 10, 1880. His earlier years
were spent in the common school and
academy of his native town. In 1850 he
left the academy and went to Woodstock
and entered printing Office, and after
little time, spent his leisure hours reading
law. lie eventually entered the law Of
fee Of Tracy, Converse and Barrett, and
completed his legal studies. He was ad-
mitted to the Windsor county bar in 1858,
and removed to Wells River and entered
the practice Of law. He early gained a
reputation as a good lawyer, and was
elected States Attorney of Orange coun-
ty in 1856, 1857 and 1858. The great
celebrity he gained in Orange county
was in prosecuting the famous criminal
case of DR.. Howard. In 1858 he re-
moved to Rochester, N. Y, where he
practiced his profession year, when he
came to Ratland. He opened an Office,
but was engaged in editing the Rutland
Herald for six or eight months. Editori-
al life was congenial to him. He was a
rapid, yet terse and suggestive writer.
In 1868, he formed law partnership
with COL Charles II. Joyce, which con-
tinued about three years. He continued
in active practice until his failing health
compelled him to retire.
He never entered the political arena
to great extent, although he occasion
ally addressed political assemblages, his
peculiar forte being the law rather than
politics. lie has held few public posi-
tons besides States Attorney for Orange
County. In 1852, he was second Assist
ant Clerk of the House of Representa-
tives, under Chalon F. Davey, as Chief
Clerk. In 1869, he was elected one Of
the Council of Censors, and served with
distinguished ability in that body. He
W. chairman of the committee on the
| Judiciary, and made an elaborate report
on the proposed amendment to the Con-
stitution, favoring the appointment of the
Judges Of the Supreme Court BY the
Governor. He also wrote the address of
the Council to the people. His speech
against woman suffrage, made before the
the Council, was published in pamphlet
form, and had wide circulation. He
was an influential member of the Council,
and prepared many of the ordinances of
that body.
Some months ago his bodily health be-
came seriously impaired by inccssant
mental labor, and by degrees his mind
became affected. He sought relief, with
hope of recovery, in the insane retreat at
Hartford, but all proved of no avail.
The Rutland Herald, from which the
= above condensed, thus notices Mr.. Dew
ey's legal attainments
He was well constituted for Il sound
lawyer and able advocate. His mind,
disciplined by study, easily comprehend
ed and mastered the principles which
were the foundation Of legal science.
The common law, embodyng the great
: truths of English liberty, as constituting
: the basis of our system of jurisprudence,
had particular attractions for him, and
sHopened to his mind field of learning
adorned by the cultivation and genius Of
; Littleton's, Coke, and a Blackstone
: He had no sympathy with that class of
q his profession who pervert the just de-
n signs Of the law and use the power it cen
:. fers rs a means of oppression Of the un'
II fortunate, nor was he calculated for a
q sharp practitioner. He could not stooI
~ TO detect and expose a mere technical
. defect in pleading, nor defeat the ends
. of Justice by the assertion of an unsub
: stantial right. But rising above the
;, - trammels Of form, he argued cause upol
y its merits and by the test of those prin
y ciples long recognized and settled b,
the books and the court, and took posi-
ton from which he could view the entir
field before him. Though he was sue
W ccssiul advocate before the jury, he wa
re particularly distinguished before tn
m Judges for his research and skill. Th
T. circle of his true fame, therefore, will b
,g that of the bar, whittier only it can b
t, expected that he should be fully know
<. and understood in character and works a
N a lawyer.
Il. Mr.. Dewey was twice married. Hi
tie first wife was daughter of Rev lr
of Pearson of Ludlow His second wit
III was a daughter of Hon. Silas II. Hodges
who survives. He leaves an interestin
er family of four children, all girls.