New-York tribune., 1908-03-05

Redfeld Proctor. long one OF The senators OF
Vermont and Secretary of War in the Cabinet of
President Harrison was born in Proctorsville
Vt. On June !. 1881 His grandfather, Leonard
Proctor who had been officer in the War or
81 the Revolution removed 10 Vermont after the
and founded the town which bears his name
His son Jabez. father Of the Senator. was sue
cessful as 2 farmer. manufacturer and merchant
He was active in Whig politics and was several
times member of the Governors Council and a
Presidential elector in 1924 and again in 1880
His wife was Betsey Parker, and the youngest
Of their four children the future Senator
Upon completing his preparatory education he
went Dartmouth College. where he was grad
Ceted in 1851 After devOting several years 10
farming he decided take up the study OF law
and went 10 the Albany Law School. where ne
was graduated in 1859, being admitted TO the bar
in Albany and at Woodstock. VI For TWO years
he practised in the office with his cousin, Judge
Isaac = Kedfeld. in Boston. Al the outbreak OF
the Civil War he enlisted in the Sd Vermont
Volunteers and was made lieutenant and quar-
termaster- In July. 1861. he was placed on the
staff OF Major General W + C'Baldy) smith
and IN October Of that year became major OF the
9Th Vermont Regiment a year later he became
colonel of the 18th Vermont and commanded II
until the close Of the war, taking an active part
in the battle Of Gettysburg. After the war ne
formed 4 law partnership in Rutland, but IN
1868 he became manager Of the Sutherland FalIS
Marble Company Ia 1880 this corporation WAS
united with another as the Vermont Marble COM
and which was rated few years later as tle
largest marble producing company in the world
Colonel Proctor early began To take an active
Interest IN the public affairs Of his state lie was
elected The Vermont House Of Representatives,
in 1867 1865 1874 and 1870 he was a mem
Der % State Senate and president pro tenn OF
that body. In 1916 ne was elected Lieutenant "o'
ernor the ticket with Governor FalrbanKs' anu
in 1873 himself elected Governor t1lS ADMINS
'rat0n marked by reduction Of state eA
f4zG So gT z
vision Of the state statutes and new tax laws
Governor Proctor d delegate TO the RepuDhcah
National Convention in 1854 1883 and 1880 On lle
Organization Of the Stale Republican League III
Vermont ia ISss he was made its president In that
year tie new town Of Proctor was created by tle
legislature and named for the Ex-Governor VINO
Was its first representative in the Legislature
In March 1883. Ex-Governor Proctor was mace
Secretary Of War by President Harrison whose
administration had just begun This post he held
until November . 1881 wnen he appointed
United States Senator on the resignation OF sen
@tor Edmunds. In the War Department SecfelaiS
Proctor devoted himself TO the government DUST
ness with the energy that he had SHOWN III
the management of his own affairs. He TeOrgan-
l1ed much Of the service and secured legislation
Which improved the condition OF the defences OF
We country and raised the standard Of the MILL
tary serrioe. when transferred 70 the Senate Mr.
Proctor close attention TO his duties and sooh
ferveG on important committees. lie was elected
'or f1.l term 5y the Vermont Legislature Ia @ I@6'-
AID reelected IL 1885 and again IA lS'1 -Al'ef '
Spanish War s,e made = "trip TO Cuba 10 lINesS
gate conditions there and on his return haue
EDeeca in tie Senate, in course OF which ne oe
CARED himself strongly opposed 4" the annexation
Of the island.
Senator Proctor Was married in 1SJs 10 Miss
Emily J. Button Of Cavendish, Vt who SURVIVES
lin. and they had four children The eldest
Fletcher ID. Proctor became his fathers successor
as the head of tie Nermont Marble company iii
-''s and served in the Vermont Louise OF hepie lL
septs,.Yes in lss9 z d lS9l. He WAS elected Gov