St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-09-09

VINO cannot well be reckoned IN this
class whose names have just stated
Col, Proctor was made a great man
by his Creator. His parentage was of a
high intellectual order. He was fortu-
nate in his parents-particulary in his
mother. She was a Redheld, sister of
Isaac Fletcher and Timothy Peleg Red
field. Both of these men were great
lawyers and jurists, and the elder was
one of the greatest American law
writers. Isaac F. Redfeld may safely be
reckoned as a jurist and writer with
Judge Story.
A graduate of Dartmouth College in
the class of 1851, in which our esteemed
townsman, Judge Jonathan Ross, was a
member, Col. Proctor read law under
the direction of these two uncles, and
had just begun his legal career when the
Civil War broke out He did not hest
tate, but joined the old fighting Ord Yer
mont and became its quartermaster. lie
remained with the 3rd regiment until
October 1862, when he was made
Colonel of the 18th Vermont Regiment.
1t was fortunate for Vermont that the
10Th, 18th, 14th, 18th and 10th Yer
mont regiments were formed into a
brigade. known as the 2nd Vermont
Brigade. This state feels very proud
of the record of the 1st and
2nd brigades of Vermont troops One
could fight or march as well as the
other one, though it was to the old LIST
brigade that Gen. Aver of New York
paid the compliment of stealing lean
cows and bony horses on the march; but
as unequalled in marching and lighting
1t was through no fault OF the 10Th
regiment or Col. Proctor that you did
not take hand in the great fight at
| Gettysburg. But the 18th regiment, IFS
officers AMI men did their duty from
start to finish. You made the forced
march 1heerfuly and uncomplainingly
and had the opportunity occurred, you
would have given good account to the
| little state from which YOU came.
In August 1868. your regiment was
mustered out of the service, and Col
Proctor went back tocivil life. Nominal
" he remained in practice till nearly
| 1870. but in fact he was laying the
foundation of great business career, by
which he became one OF the wealthiest
citizens. Had Col. Proctor given his at
tention to the law, he would soon nave
gone to the bench or stood in the fore
most rank of the profession. But in my
opinion, he was cut out tor business ano
for politics. The Lord made him
Leader" and he was very receptive
pupil in any school he chose to enter II
has been gravely charged that he toi
wears carried political Vermont in hi
nocket. and that his political power il
Vermont was hardly equalled by Mr.
QUAY in Pennsylvania and Mr.. Aldrict
in Rhode Island.
An Irishman in Rutland who knew tn
Colonel very well, some years ago wa
discussing when a certain event happen
ed and TO fix the time when certain
man was governor, they started witt
Gov. Peck in 1874, Gov. Fairbanks II
1876. and Gov. Proctor in 1878. In
narties were then going down from yea
to year when the lrishman hnaiiy SET
tied the discussion by saving that Froc
tor was governor in 1873 and that n
had been governor ever since.
Rut we all know that if Col Procto
was a political leader in our state, ther
was never any scandal connected wit
such leadership. He never sold otflces
he nevercountenancedr ascality. Durin
E +he last administration of Mr.. Clevelan
he was the active senator from Vernon
Through him the recommendations 10
of1ice nassed. If he believed an applican
worthy he never hesitated in aiding mn
He was above the petty things Whic
often make politics odious
Col Proctor was great organizer
business Rutland County can we
boast of having at one time two OF We
: mont's greatest business men, fefciy '!
w Clement and Col Proctor but IN oil
J farent lines. When Col. Proctor mrs
started the marble industry 1t was
The hands of many companies and ind
vidnals At his death it was largely
= The control of the Vermont Marble GO
! Of which he was the leading spirit IT
one of Vermont's greatest industrie
! perfectly and ably managed
! We have had few public men who ha
: better Judgment in all things than ma
9 Senator Proctor. At glance he toe
IN situation and knew the right thir
n 70 do. At the time OF the tuneral
n Judge Ross, Col. Proctor came iro
Washington. The tariff bill for the m
:, ;nn;nes was then under considerable
E Ike President and the Philippine Cor
f mission were urging fair treatment t
those Islands. Col. Proctor favored
4 generous tariff policy, but he was owe
), ruled by certain clique IN the oena'