Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-09-15
DEAW oFlM. sLADE.
S9ES AWAY SUDDENLY ON\
y NESDAY AFTERNOON.

Was Lifelong Resident of Middlebtlcy
+ and Prominent i'm the Affairs of the
State-Had Held Many Offices in the Gift
of the People-His Life Recounted.
Judge James NJ. Slade of the probate
court died late Wednesday afternoon.
pected by the community, though it was
known that he had been for few days
quite i'll at his home on Court street.
Expressions of sorrow and regret are
universal, for not only was he a man of
great prominence in the affairs of the
state and county, but personally he was
well liked.
His death came suddenly. His con-
dition, while low, was not thought to be
critical, as evidence of improvement had
been noted during the day. The end
came painessly at about 8 o'clock.
There were with him in the room at the
time only II. G. Potter and Mrs. John
Higgins, although Mrs. Slade and
daughter were within call.
The funeral will take place this after
noon at 3 o'clock at the Court street resi-
dence, Rev. Mr.. Gooding and Rev. Mr..
Forsythe officiating The following BIZ
ography Of the deceased appears In the
Burlington Free Press;
James Madison Slade was the second
son of the late James M. Slade, the elder
being William, who died some 10 years
ago in much the same manner. He was
born in Middlebury June 27, 1913, and
was consequently few months over Sc
years of age. He was educated in the
common schools, the old Addison
County Grammar school and in Middle
bury college, graduating from the latter
In the class of 1867 with a high record
for scholarship and delivering the
valedictory address at the commence
ment. Beginning the study of law at
once in the Albany Law School in com
pany with his college classmate, Judge
George E. Lawrence of Rutland, he com.
pleted his reading in the office of Stewart
& Edredge here and was admitted to
the bar In 1870. In that year he was ap-
pointed by Gov. John w. Stewart as
secretary of civil and military affairs and
continued as such through the term.
Under United States Collector of In.
ternal Revenue ROllin j. Jones, he served
as deputy several years and did the
principal work of the Office efficiently.
A superb penman, mathematician and ac-
countant, his books and reports were
models of beauty and accuracy and
brought from inspecting officials and
headquarters at Washington many high
encomiums.
He was natural politician as were his
father and grandfather, Governor
William Slade, before him. Two uncles.
William Slade of Ohio, long time consul
at Nice and minister at Brussels, and
Henry Slade, holder of prominent
position in the treasury department at
the time of his death some years ago
were also prominent in official and
political life. 1t was family trait vel
developed In the subject of this sketch
Under the old system he was many year;
town superintendent of schools, and haG
himself taught district schools during
the winters of his academy and college
courses. with marked success. In the
fail of 1874 he was elected to the House
of Representative in the Vernon
Legislature, and served at Montpelier
with distinguished ability both as com
mittee worker and floor debatcr, hi:
valuable experience in his association
with Governor Stewart four years before
standing him in good stead
At different times he has been villag,
attorney and trustee and town law agPn
and selectman and auditor and schoo
committeeman. He made an admira
BILE presiding officer at public meetings
having fine presence, standing abov
six feet in height and weighing over 20
a good knowledge of parliamentary prsc
tice and procedure.
A few years after his admission to tn
bar he formed a partnership with Henr,
r. Harris, which was dissolved whe
Mr.. Harris removed to Texas. A late
partnership, the one now terminated b.
death, was made with his former lay
instructor, Hon. L, ID. Eldredge.
In 1873 he was chosen states attorne
of Addison county and held the offic
until 1882, and was town grand juro
many years. Ten years ago, on the res
ignation of Judge l.. f. Knapp upon hi
appointment to the governorship {
Alaska, Mr. Slade was appointed judg
: of probate for the district of Addison
t and has held the Office by successiv
elections to the present time.