The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-02-01

ShSlCTl, III WHICH the lie OF an 111Q1V1Q-
ual is largely representative of the
dramatic situations and political reso-
1utions which were the outgrowth of
the greatest civil war recorded in the
annals of history. Perhaps there is
no other Vermonter living or dead,
who so early and clearly foresaw the
magnitude of that impending struggle.
None other bore a more notable and
conspicuous part, and the name of
Thomas will go down to posterity side
by side with that of Stannard, COM
panion types of the Vermont volunteer.
1t seems like gratuitous irnperti-
nence to praise Gen. Thomas. It is
like praising the many tinted forests
that clothe our mountains. 1t is like
praising the spring, gushing from our
hi1lsides, for the career of Thomas in
civil end military life, seems as natu-
raj, as inevitable and as much a part
of our common inheritance as the
rising sun or changing seasons.
The life of Stephen Thomas as work
man, business man, legislator. soldier,
governor, illustrates the influence of
heredity and environment. His grand
father, Joseph Thomas, served in the
Revolution, being a Lieutenant in
ANSW llduI pSllllS lCS dullDS luC
Saratoga campaign, and his father,
John Thomas, was soldier in the u. s.
Infantry, and died from exposure re-
ceived in service at P1attsburg.
The Thomas family was of WEIGH |
descent. His mother, Rebecca Batch
elder, born in Brookfie1d, Mass, be-
1onged to good old family of that
town, whose English ancestors emil
grated to this country as early as 1880.
Her father was also a soldier of the
Revolution with the rank of Lieut..
With the patriotic instincts of such
an ancestry, Stephen Thomas also in
herited we'll knit and active frame. a
strong mental and physical constitu
ton, and indon1itable courage.
Stephen Thomas was born in Beth
Ell, VT. Dec. 6, 1909. Deprived of pater-
nal council and aid by his fathers
death at four years of age, he was
early inmured to labor and hardship,
and obtained such an education as the
common schools of Thetford afforded.
When but sixteen he was apprenticed
% a wool manufacturer became a
'killful workman, and followed his
rade in Thetford, STAFFORD and West
9airlee. He started manufacturing
or himself at Hartland, but was burn
ID out and finally settled in West | ,,
Tairlee.
From 1882 to 1910 he was constable
ind collector and during the last four /
,ears was deputy sheriff. In 1910 he
vas Deputy u. S. Marshal; and took ,
he census in seven towns in Orange t
county. He became widely and favor
IDLY known as practical and self-made \
nan, and represented West Fair1ee in e
he legislature in 1888 '42 -45-46-60 and
/ and was a State Senator from s
orange county in 1848 and 40. He
vas a delegate to the Constitutional C
invention of Vermont in 1843 and so, Ii
register of Probate for the district of L
from 1912 to 1916 inclusive, 9
nd Judge of Probate for that district
rom 1947 to 40. In 1860 he was can .
idate for Lieutenant-Governor on the y
ticket, and polled a large Il
ote. He was alternate at the Demo-
ratio National convention of 1848 n
nd delegate to the National Con- is
entions of 1852-56-6O. p
He was active in state politics and 81
n ardent admirer and earnest sup
orter of Stephen A. Douglas. At the n
harleston convention of 1860 he be-
ime fully convinced that "rule or in
lin'' was the motto of the Southern 81
emocratic leaders, and of their DELHI
ate and long cherished purpose to p
reak up the Union if they could NOT 70 70
,ntrol it. At the convention of the a.,
gis1ature called by Gov. Fairbanks,
pril %, 1861, Judge Thomas was -
ade a member of the ways and q
cans committee. In this committee =
motion was made appropriating half Q
million dollars for military purposes.
his ELECTED a spirited debate, and af- 4
r all of the other members of the .
had spoken, Judge Thomas 4
pressed his opinion that the country =
as on the eve of a gigantic conflict .
volving the life or death of the ma Il
IN, and closed by saying; Gentle =
en-, we shall find foemen worthy of 3
r steel. I'm in favor of appropri- =
ing not only five hundred thousand =
t one million dollars" The COM .
ttee adopted the bill with the
iendment, that one million should =
raised if needed. The bill met with .
position in the House, one member u
pressing the opinion that zone mill =
i dollars would vastly outweigh the
triotism of the people" Then Ste II
en- Thomas arose and made the =
latest oratorica1 effort of his life.
5 fiery and impassioned eloquence II
d the whole assembly spell bound, .
the patriotism of the peo-
aud ;uctified tfe r1RceSSitv for the