Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-07-31
Death of Ex-GOv. Paul Dilling-

DeaJn Oh EN-OONs Iatll DllltnE-
ham.
Hon. Paul Dillingham;, the venerable and
revered ex-governor of Vermont died at
his home in Waterbury at an early hour on
Monday morning. lie had reached the
advanced age of 81 years and had been for
some time in state of gradually declining
health. Gov. Dillingham; was native of
Shutesbury, Mass, born there Aug. 10,
1899. The family were of English origin,
their progenitor in this country being
John Dillingham;, who emigrated from
England as a member of the Winthrop
Colony. Gov. Dllingham's father was
farmer by occupation, and removed TO Yer
mont in 1904 and settled in Waterbury.
Paul was the seventh child of a family of
five sons and seven daughters. The grand
father of the ex-governor was soldier in
the "Old French War" and was slain in
the conflict prior to Wolfe's capture of
Quebec in 1859. His father was patriot
soldier in the Revolutionary army.
Gov. Dillingham's early education was
received in the schools of Waterbury and
Montpelier. He studied law with Judge
Daniel Carpenter of Waterbury and was
admitted to the bar in 1923. Soon after
this he formed a partnership with his pre-
| ceptor, under the firm name of Carpenter
! * Dillingham;, this continuing until 1927,
! when Mr.. Carpenter was elected assistant
| Judge of the Washington county court
From that time until within few years
Mr.. Dillingham; was an active legal practi-
| toner in the courts OF Vermont. For
many years he was an acknowledged leader
of the profession in the state. As a jury
advocate he had no superior He was log
! ical and eloquent in his arguments, and he
had musical and resonant voice, while
his fine presence, kindly bearing and man
| ~ frankneSs made him universal favor
tie. His popularity with his fellow-towns-
men was frequently atteSted by his election
to office. He was town clerk from 1920 to
1874, and was chosen repeatedly to repre-
! sent Waterbury in the legislature. He
was states attorney for three terms, was a
member of the constitutional convention
/ of 1896, and was state senator in 1871
and 1872.
BY this time his reputation had extended
throughout the state, and in 1913 he was
nominated for Congress by the Democratic
district convention. His election followed
and he took his seat in the House March t.
1874. He was the only Democrat in the
/ Vermont delegation in Congress, and diff
fered from his colleagues in the matter of
the annexation of Texas as widely as in
other respects. He was reelected to Con
gress in 1915 and at the end of his term re-
turned to his law practice. He was a
member of the state constitutional conven-
ton in 1857, and in 1861 was again chosen
to the state senate.
BY birth, education and association Paul
Dillingham; had been, up to this time,
Democrat, but first of all he was patriot.
The attack on Sumter awoke in him every
loyal instinct At a mass convention held
in Montpelier soon after the outbreak of
the rebellion he avowed his sympathies
with the national government and declared
his allegiance to the Republican party.
Thenceforward he knew no party but that
of his country; nor did he spare aught of
time, money or energy for the preservation
of the Union. He sent two sons to the
front, Charles Dillingham;, who became
lieutenant-Colonel of the Sth Vermont reg
iment, and Maj. Edwin Dillingham; of the
10th Vermont, who was killed at Winches-
ter. Mr.. Dillingham; was elected lieuten-
ant governor in 1862, 1858, and 1864. In
the presidential canvass of the latter year
he took the stump for Lincoln and John
son, making frequent addresses in New
York New Hampshire and other states.
In 1865 his nomination and election as
governor followed. During his administra-
ton the unusual duty Of appointing two
United States senators fell to him. Sena-
tor COllamer died Nov. 10, 1865, and
the vacancy thus created GOV. Dillingham;
filled by the appointment of the late Luke
=. Poland, then resident in ST. Johnsbury.
Il. IL ,F G.1.,
Foot, the colleague of Mr.. Colamer in the
United States Senate, deceased. The APP
pointment to fill the vacancy thus created
was rendered to eX-Gov. j. Gregory Smith
of 81. Adams, who declined the honor.
Hon. George +. EdmundS was then tender
ed the position and accepted it. The ele-
walton of Luke p. Poland to the Senate of
the United States necessitated his resigna-
ton of the Office of chief justice of the
state supreme court and this vacancy Gov,
, Dillingham; filled by the appointment OF
the late John Pierpoint of Nergennes, who
filled the Office with distinction until his
death
Gov. Dillingham; married in early life
Sarah F., the oldest daughter of his friend
and partner, Judge Carpenter. The first
Mrs. Dillingham; died in 1881, and year
: after he was married to her sister, Miss Ju-
Z liza Carpenter. OF the seven children OF
. Gov. and Mrs. Dillingham;, one daughter
: was the wife of the brilliant Senator Matt
Carpenter of Wisconsin. Col. Charles Dill
y lingham lives in New Orleans and Frank
> Dillingham; in Milwaukee. In recent years
- the venerable mans home has been witt
|. his son, William p. Dillingham;, whom in
1883 he had the satisfaction of seeing
elected to the honorable office he had him
r self held a quarter of a century ago, by
the largest majority ever given govern
or of Vermont.
. -
= National Prohibition Meetings.