Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-01-15

most honorable part in the War of the
Revolution he came 10 Vermont at the
close of that war and settled ON the
banks of little mountain stream. to
which was given the name of Black
River Here the village, named for its
founder PrOctprsville, WAS planted, and
here Redfield Proctor was born
+ 1t has been said that every man is the
sum of his ancestors and. if this b., true.
| r. dfield Proctor had a right to be strong
His father. Judge Jatez Proctor. WAS
one of the foremost citizens of Vermont
durin- the early part of the last century.
having been judge of the probate
court. twice a presidential elector and
several times a member of the governors
council. His mother also came of strong
ancestry. From her parents sprang
those distinguished iurists and judges of
our supreme court, Timothy p. and
Isaac f. Redfield, the latter the well
known author of standard law works
and the chief justice of the supreme
court of Vermont. 1t is not often given
to one man, as to Isaac Parker, the mat
ernal grandfather of Redfield Proctor,
to be progenitor of judge and of a
chief justice of the supreme court, two
governors of states, United States
OtHdtOT anu u StCThtdTy Oh war.
Of Redfield Proctors career as states
man, of his distinguished service in this
body. of the influence of his strong per-
sonality upon legislation and in the
national field of politics, il is perhaps
more fitting that his brother senators
speak; but cannot forego a brief word,
giving my personal estimate of a man
upon whose life my own has 80 closely
imDinped for forty wears
When in 1891, after twenty five years
of distinguished service, that great consti-
tutional lawyer. George +. Edmunds,
rendered his resignation as United States
Senator, it was my privilege to appoint
Redfield Proctor as his successor My
opinion then formed, that the mantle of
Edmunds had fallen upon shoulders
that would wear it with honor to Yer
mont and to our country, has only been
strengthened by the events of interview
ing y ears.
His far-sighted, comprehensive grasp
of affairs, as shown in the upbuilding of
by far the largest morble business in the
world. was surpassed by few, if any, of
our great captains of industry. He was
"A tireless worker and a remarkable mas
ter of details. He was cool, self-reliant
and resourceful in difficulties and won
derfully fertile in eXpedients in every en-
Urgency calling for leadership.
He was a generous, large hearted
comrade and friend. 1t seemrd to those
who knew him most intimately thai the
social side of his nature was developed
to a degree rarely found in men whose
/ lives ere packed so full of strenuous
effort and exacting duties. His mex
haustibl- fund Of humOr and of native
wit made him a most enjoyable cOmpan-
ion. He attached himself to those he loved
with hooks of steel, and no man would
fight harder to promote the welfare of "A
friend than Redfield Proctor.
One of the most commanding figures
of our time has gone to his rest. He has
lived his life. he has fought his fight, he
ha, finished his work. In the midst of
one OF our flercest mountain storms, we
bore him to his last resting place. For
a mile on either side and forming a
: double row as guard of honor. stood the
/, men who labored in his workshops and
in his quarrles-men who had come &c
love him with an affection begotten OF
long years of generous acts and OF
thoughtful regard for their welfare.
In mausoleum built of his own beau
tful marble. we placed his body and
there he sleeps beneath the monument
erected to commemorate his name; but
his life shall have memorial more last
ing than the enduring stone, in the
hearts of the people of that state which
he loved and served so well.
Senator Dilingham's address in eulogy
of Mr.. Proctor is in keeping with the
usual tenor of such addresses, tuching
on the late senator's career as Civil wal
soldier, state and national legislator and
secretary of war.