The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-18
Late Henry T.. Stoughton.

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Late Henry T.. StoughtOn.
Although we have alluded to the death
of Mr.. Stoughton before, yet we take
pleasure in giving the following appreci-
ate notice, which, from the signature, we
think, to be from the pen of one of Yer
mont's ablest lawyers and cultured writers:
The death of Hon. Henry L. Stoughton.
which occurred in the city of New York,
on the 10Th of June, is an event that de-
serves something more than the passing no.
tice that has already appeared in the Free
Press and other newspapers. The distin-
guished position he has for many years
maintained at the bar of Windham county,
as well as the native force and decided
qualities of his character, have made him
man of worth and influence. And his pro-
fessional life extended back far enough to
connect him with that old 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, VT,
in the year 1914, of humble though respec-
table parentage. Without the advantage
of any liberal education in early life, he
had reached manhood before he attempt
ed to qualify himself for the profession
he afterwards entered. Coming into it
late and under circumstances so adverse,
it is sufficient proof of his native ability
and rcsOlutc will, that he was unable to
achieve by his own eXertions the eminent
professional and social standing he so long
enjoyed. He practiced 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 a large and lucra-
tive business. During that period, and es-
pecially in the latter years of it, he was
concerned in most causes of interest in
Windham county, and more or less in the
the adjoining counties, and was consider
ably engaged in the federal courts Under
Buchanan's administration, he was the Dis
trict Attorney of the United States, and
discharged the duties of that important of
flee with much fidelity aud success In the
years 1861 and 1862 he was state Senator
from Windham county, He had little
taste, however, for public office, and pre-
ferred devoting his life to the labOrs of his
profession In that field, for the most part
he found his happiness, his usefulness and
his reputation.
He 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
ton or brilliancy, attempting no flights be-
yOnd his powers, reasoning out his con-
illusions rather than borrowing them from
uncertain precedents, and faithful to the
last degree in industry he brought to bear
| upon whatever he undertook, he was the
man to be relied on as counsellor, useful
as an advocate, and respected everywhere
In all vicissitudes his courage was unfail-
ing, and his honor unquestioncd.
As speaker, he was clear in statement,
and fOrcible in reasoning, without pretend
ing to eloquence. Deliberate, candid
earnest, and impressive, the evident sim
cerity that pervaded what he said, gave
weight to it. His style was terse, his Ian
gauge well chosen, his voice so clear and
distinct as to be audible even in the
United States courthouses in Vermont
His personal appearance, notwithstand-
ing severe and permanent lame
ness contracted in early life, was dignified,
and his manners always those of gen.
tleman.
While it is common enough to our coun-
try to see men attain eminence in their par
ticular calling without the benefit of early
or general education, it is by no means
usual to see such deficiencies so well sup
piled, and so little obvious in personal and
social life, as in the case of Mr. StOughtOn
The propriety of his diction, both in pub
lie speaking and in conversation, the unaf-
fected courtesy of his manners, and his uni
form regard for the usages of refined life,
left him at no disadvantage in any COM
pany. He retained to the last the more
punctilious department, as well as the more
elevated ideas of professional propriety that
belonged to the class of lawyers among
whom his early habits were formed
Whether the free and easy sentiments and
manners of the present generation are an
improvement may admit of discussion.
In politics Mr.. Stoughton was a Demo-
crat and at one time somewhat active one
But on the occurrence of the rebellion he
took decided grounds in favor of the prose-
cutiOn of the war, and during its continuance
His two sons Edwin Ii. and Charles b. +,
(the former educated at West Point en-
tered the army as Colonel and Adjutant of
the Fourth Vermont Regiment, and served
through the war with much distinction.
Edwin was promoted to Brigadier General,
and his brother succeeded him as Colonel of
the Fourth Vermont. At the close of the
war, both sons commenced the practice of
law in the city of New York, in association
with Mr.. Stoughton's younger brother, L.
w. Stoughton, one of the recognized lead
ers of the American Bar. Mr.. ii. Il.
Stoughton gradually withdrew himself
from his professional engagements in YER
mont and took mp his residence in New
York, where he became engaged in prac-
tice, in the Office of his brother and sons.
His son Edwin died not long afterward,
in the midst of a youth full of promise and
surrounded with affection. His own wife
was subsequently taken away, and thence
forth he made his home with his remaining
son, and gave his time to the professional
business of the Office with which he was
connected.
1t was very gratifying to his friends to
see in those last years, that proved to be
the sunset of his life, how happily he lived.
fore him. But he was attacked with par
alysis. From the first shock he recovered.
A second soon occurred, and after an ill
ness, protracted but not painful, he passed
away, leaving probably no enemy behind
him. His son and two daughters survive
him.
1t is to be hoped that some competent
hand may undertake fuller and better ac-
count of Mr.. Stoughton's life and charac-
ter. Meanwhile these few words, offered
over his grave by an old and attached
friend, may not prove unacceptable. p.