Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-06-17
GEN. w. w. CIRCUIT.

The spirited canvass which is now GO
ing on in the third congressional DIS
trict, is creating desire among the peo-
pie to learn the most possible of the
character and qualities of the several
candidates named for the position. AS
Gen. Grout is prominent, and as most
believe, the leading candidate in the
field, it is due to the public that they
know something of his history, that he
may be estimated by his standing and
his success in life.
Gen. Circuit is forty-two years of age.
Thrown upon his own resources early in
life, he set out unaided in his pursuit
for an education and a profession. Hav-
ing acquired an excellent academic edu-
cation, he studied law, spent some time
in law schools and was admitted to the
bar at an early age. While yet a very
young man, he came to Barton, a town
in which there were then several emf.
nent lawyers, and hung out his "shingle."
He struggled for some time against the
disadvantages of age, and the excellent
standing of other lawyers in the place,
to get position in his profession, but
steadily gained his way. He was stu
dious. careful, brave he never took hold
of a case but to win, and never surren-
dered until he was overwhelmingly de-
feated. If not then the best lawyer, he was
certainly the best fighter that could be
engaged to prosecute or defend suit.
Taking somewhat active part in tenn
perance matters, he provoked the dis
pleasure of the rum champions and rum
element, and suffered such abuse from
them as temperance men often suffer.
The circumstance resulted greatly
in his favor and tended to increase
his popularity. In very few years his
reputation had become such that he was
pitted against such men as Cooper, Sar-
tie, the Wilson's, Allen, Dickerman, Ed
wards and Steele, then the strong men
of Orleans county bar.
At the time of the breaking out of the
war the General was erecting set of
buildings and otherwise busily engaged
in business. Early the next season, in
1862, he decided that it was his duty
to go into the army. and he enlisted, as
did several of his townsmen, as q pri-
vate. Upon the organization of the CON-
pany, he was chosen captain, and subse-
quently lieutenant colonel of the regi.
ment of which Col. Proctor was colonel
At the time of his enlistment he was
Republican nominee for States Attor
ney. The career of his regiment was
not such as to win for any of its officer:
particular renown Cd the field of battle
but one thing is well known by all con
versant with the matter, that Col. Grou
was always as near danger and close tt
the enemy as he could be and obey hi
superiors. The leading characteristics o
his makeup, energy and courage. Away
showed themselves in the army.
Upon his return home he resumed hi
law practice, but allowed his attention
to be divided between law. agricultur
and manufacturing enterprises. He wa
: soon made States Attorney, which plac
! he filled with characteristic ability
/ When the State militia was revived Ii
J 1865, Col. Circuit was put III nomination
by his friends, as candidate for one 0
, the three brigadier generals to be che
sen, and was elected to that position b
/. the Legislature, beating in the contes
s Col. Benjamin H. Steele and others.
/ Gen. circuit was soon called upon I
D represent Barton in the legislature, an
: was chosen three terms in succession
: an honor never bestowed on any otht
: citizen in the town. In the year 1875
9 he was sent to the State Senate, an
was chosen president. pro tempore,
" that body. His standing in the legisl'
It ture is too we'll known to need mentio
If During these years, Gen. CIRCUITS pr
b fessional labors have largely increase
n and his professional services have bet
a demanded in Caledonia. Lamoil
and other counties outside of his OWL
d his business. aside from his law practic
lie has largely increased. Having cor
le into possession of the Grout farm Al