Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-06-28

The spirited canvass which is now going
on in the Third Congressional District is
creating desire among the people to learn
the most possible Of the character and quail
ties 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. GrOut 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 profession. Having ac
quired al excellent academic education, he
studied law, spent some time in law schools
and was admitted to the bar at an early age.
While yet very young man, he came to
Barton, town in which there were then
several eminent lawyers, and hung out his
"shingle," lie struggled fo- some time
against the disadvantages Of age, and the
excellent standing of other lawyers in the
place, to get position in his profession, and
steadily gained his way. lie was studious,
careful, brave he never took hold Of case
but to win. Taking a somewhat active part
IN temperance 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 cir
cumstance resulted greatly in his favor and
tended to increase his popularity. In
very few years his reputation had become
such that he was ptted against such men as
Cooper. Sartle, the Wilson's, Allen, Dcker-
man, Edwards and Steele, then the strong
men of Orleans county bar.
At the time of the breaking out of the
war the General was erecting a set of build
ings and otherwise busily engaged in busi-
ness. Eirly the next season, in 1862, he
decided that it was his duty to 20 into the
army. and he enlisted, as did several of his
townsmen, as private. Upon the organi
zation OF the company, he was chosen cap
tain, and subsequently lieutcnant-colonel of
the regiment Of which Col. Proctor was
colonel. AT the time OF his enlistment he
was Republican nominee ior States At
torney. The career of his regiment was not
such as to win for any of its officers partic-
alar renown on the field of battle; but one
thing is well known BY all conyerssnt with
the matter, that Col. GrOut was always as
near danger and close to the enemy as he
could be and obey his superiors. The lead
ing characteristics of his makeup, energy
and courage, always showed themselves in
the army.
Upon his return home he resumed his
law practice, but allowed his attention to be
divided between law, agriculture and manu-
featuring enterprises. lie was soon made
States Attorney, which place he filed with
characteristic ability. When the State mill
tia was revived in 1865, Col. Gruut was put
in nomination by his friends, AS a candidate for
one Of the three brigadier-generals to be che
sen, and was elected to that position by the
Legislature, beating IN the contest Col. Ben
jamin II. Steele and Others
Gen. GrOut was soon called upon to repre-
sent Barton in the Legislature, and was
chosen three terms in succcssion-an honor
never bestowed on any other citizen in that
town. In the year 1876 he was sent to the
State Senate, aad was chosen president pro
fempore of that body. His stanting in the
Legislature is too well known to need men
ton.
During these years, Gen. Grouts profes
siOnal labors have largely inerea ed, and his
professional services have been demanded in
Caledonia, Lamoille, and other counties ont
side his own. His business aside from his
law practice has largely increased. Having
come into POSSESSION OF the Grout farm and
homestead in Kirby, he is greatly improving
the same and making it the model farm of
that section. His other real estate i'll dill
ferent localities being considerable.
his time is occupied by agrleul-
duties Of bank director, and the work that
falls To public men, outside of their private
affair, and It will be seen that Gen. GrOut
is hard working man. In every laudable
enterprise Of his town OF county, he has con-
tributed largely Of bis means and his efforts :;
in the support Of the Gospel, every church
denomination in his village levles heavily
upon him in educational matters he is ac-
tive; in temperance work he leads his voice
and his example. In hiS dealings with men,
he has had the good fortune TO establish a
reputation for yeracity and honesty untaIn-
ished. We are not aware that in his pro-
I, ssional, political and business relations he
has made dozen ehemie-. We are certain
of this, that in the sphere where he Is best
known, he Is most appreciated.
Ii he is sent To Congress, We shall be
greatly surprised if he does not fll that
exalted position, as he has filled these Of less
Importance, with fidelity and ability, and to
the general acceptance Of all.