Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-07-18
The Late Hon. Henry z. stoughton.


on the 18th of June, is an event that de
serves something more than the passin!
notice that has already appeared in tn,
FREE Press and other newspapers. Tn,
distinguished position he has for many year:
maintained at the bar of Windham county
as well as the native force and decided quail
tiles of his character, have made him a
man of worth and influence. And his pro.
fessional life extended back far enough tC
connect him with that ola school of Yer
mont lawyers, now nearly all passed away
whose fame is such an interesting feature
in the history of the State
Mr.. Stoughton was born at Chester, Yer
mont, in the year 1914, OF humble though
respectable parentage. Without the ad-
vantage of any liberal education in early
life, he had reached manhood before he at
tempted to qualify himself for the profess
sion he afterwards entered. Coming into
it late, and under circumstances so adverse,
it is sufficient proof Of his native ability
and resolute will, that he was able to achieve
by his own exertions the eminent profess
sional and social standing he so long enjoy
ed. He practised law for some time after
his admission to the bar, at Chester. but
afterwards removed to Bellows Falls, where
for many years, and till near the close of
his life, he had large and lucrative bust
ness. During that period. and especially
/ lot e IL
most causes of consequence in Windham
/ county, and more or less in the adjoining
counties, and was considerably engaged
in the Federal Courts. Under Buchanan's
administration. he was the District At
torney of the United States, and discharged
the duties of that important Office with
much fidelity and success. In the years
1861 and 1862 he was State Senator from
Windham county. He had little taste, how
ever, for public office, and preferred deyot-
ing his life to the labors of his profession.
In that field, fo- the most part, he found his
happiness, his usefulness, and his reputa-
ton.
lie was sound and excellent lawyer,
grounded in principle rather than learned
in cases, with whom theory never escaped
from the control of strong, practical sense.
His mind was clear, calm, vigorous, saga
cious, logical Not pretending to magma
tion or brilliancy, attempting no flights
beyond his powers, reasoning out his con-
illusions rather than borrowing them from
uncertain precedents, and faithful to the last
degree in the industry he brought to bear
upon whatever he undertook. he was the
man to be relied on as a counsellor, useful
as an advocate, and respected everywhere.
In all vicissitudes his courage was unfail-
ing. and his honor unquestiored.
As a speaker, he was clear in statement.
and forcible in reasoning. without pretend
ing to eloquence. Deliberate. candid, earn
est, and impressive, the evident sincerity
that peryaded what he said, gave weight to
it. His style was terse, his language well
chosen, his voice 50 clear and distinct a to
be audible even in the United States Court
Houses of Vermont. HIS personal appear
ance, notwithstanding severe and perma-
ient iauneheSS Contractor III tarly me wa.
uiShlned' anu MS manners Always those OF
Gentleman.
W ME II Is common enough IN our coIh-
Try TO see men attain eminence IN their par
/ tcular Gaming without the peheht OIL early
! or general educatlon' II i oy no means
usual to see such deficiencies 50 well sup
p lied, and 50 little obvious in personal and
81 cial life a. in the case of Mr.. StOught0n
ll'e proprlety oi ms dlctlon, both IN pup
ne speaking ana IN conversation tne unal-
Zee led courtesy oil MS manners anu ms uni
Tor II regard LOT the uSages OF rehnel NE,
lett nun at no disadvantage IN any c0mpa-
ny lie retained to the last the more pune
t;ilou Gelorlihch', a wen a. tle more
'ated IDEAS OF pr9ie-slonal proprlely tnat
20 ~ VI 49, "a ,t,-iIiuIs
whom ms earl haoltS were formed meth
er the iree ana easy sentiments ana man
nerS oil the present gen ration are an IN
", ~, I'm S ~ n
IN poii'lcs MI oiousn'on Nas a Demo
era'' anu at one time d Soihe" nat active
one bul On inc occurrence Oh tue reoel-
non ne .ooA ueoi'iou -Tounu9 lu .a'oI oi 'he
prosecution Oh thS war ana Iurihg ~ con
l-nuance aEtct anu 'o'gu WIN 'ue III up'l-
can llI9 :" D 99i9' "a" IN n anu
= tlig ioIlieI eluSSiel a. 81 oin.l
'lle IN a = =, anu ~ utaii
VI .iie Lourln leIiioIi. ne ilug'' ai sof' Gu
tTHiioHsu lnO VA W. -iuD" I'm 5 G
LuTih wa? promoted 70 bIlSauler zen zen
elG' t.iL N suC0ee'eu nm, = -
n e "a ello "a einou.. ~ ~. . 80
VI 'ne N"t' oosh ,9ts tlie
We oi Ia" ~ ~ NJ VI ~" % A. II. a.
I..thdu + ~ S-Nl,lt',, 49, ~, -.