Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-12-22
IN MEMORY JUDGE SLADE.

Special Exercises in the Addison County
Court-A%siresses by Judge and Bar.
Exercises in memory of Hon. James
NJ. Slade were held in the Addison County
court on d. c. 10 instant at | | o'clock a.
m. Euogles were pronounced by Frank
l.. Fish, states attorney, and by Hon.
John w. Rowell, presiding Judge. The
following biographical sketch was read
by Its author, Hon. l.. d. Edredge,
adopted by the court and ordered pub
lished In the MIDDLEBURY REGISTER,
and a copy thereof presented to the
widow of the deceased Judge, on motion
of Mr.. Fish and Mr.. Bliss.
james Madison Slade was born on the 27th
day of June, lS43 and died on the 18th day of
September, 1899, being at the time of his death
two months and 10 days over 80 years of age.
His family from the early settlement OF
this county has been prominently represent
ed. His great Grandfather in his day was
resident of the town of Cornwall and one of
the leading men In the county. He was one
of the selectmen of Cornwall nine years, re-
presented that town in the state legislature
three years and was high sheriff OF the county
eleven years His grandfather, GOV. William
| Slade, was for many years a member OF
congress from this congressional district, and
afterwards governor of this state. His father,
James NJ Slade, senior, was an active bust
ness man and cian-representative in
the Legislature from Middlebury, clerk OF the
house of representatives and lieutenant
governor of the state; a man who was much
respected as an accountant and for his gener-
al business ability. lie was one of the town
auditors of this town for many years prior to
| his decease.
The subject of this sketch was possessed of
many of the business abilities for which his
! or eff a1 a
man and very correst accountant. He
graduated from Middlebury college in the
class of 1867, took lectures at the Albany Law
school, was in the law Office of Stewart Il
Eldredgo some SIX years student and
clerk, ana hal ch lrf4 of the government
books some four years, while the collector )
oflice of this cnngres sional district was in
Stewart Eldredge's nc'. In the meantime
he was secretary of civil and military affairs
| while Hon. j. W stewart was governor of the
| ST ate, and was noted for the correctness and
ability with which he discharged the duties
! of those offices. In lisa he represented his
native town IN the Legislature of the state.
| He has been town auditor nearly all the
years since his fathers death, except three
years that he was nrst selectman and in
eligible to the office of auditor. Mr.. Slade
had a law partnership with Henry X. Harris
I for two or three years After Mr. Harris left
the sta.e, Mr.. Slade was several years in bust.
ness by him self, during which time he was
states attorney of this county four years. In
1854 partnership was formed with l.. ID.
Eldredge, which continued under the name
of Eldredge Il Slade for over fifteen years
and until Mr.. Slade's DEATH In May, 1883, on
the removal from the state of Hon. Lyman +
Knapp, who was then judge of probate foI
this district, the governor appointed Mr.
Slade judge of probate to succeed Judge
Knapp, which Office he held by successive
elections and discharged the duties of the
same with marked ability until his decease.
Mr.. Slade was IA man of good ability anC
generous impulses, and had many friends
among his acquaintance throughout the
state. For the last year or two his health has
not been as firm formerly. he however
attended to his business as judge of probat,
until some four or five days prior to hi
death. During the last years of his life h,
, devoted himself to the duties OF his office
: doing his own clerical work and attending I,
and performing the duties of the Office him
self.
With the exception of an uncle. the Hon
2 william Slade now PRESIDENT in Cleveland. o.
/ our friend was the last male descendant O
his family. He left widow and one daugf
ter, now the wife OF Cushing Hill of this town
. They have the sympathy of many friends an
acquaintances, who regret that an allwis
providence saw tit to remove from earth 4
' the prime of his mature manhood one capabl
, OF so much usefulness as was he who's
) departure we this day mourn.