The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-09-29
EX-GOVERNOR PROCTOR DEAD.
End Came at His Home in Proctor
Wednesday

Fletcher d. Proctor, former governor oil
Vermont aud president Of the Vermont
Marble company, died at his home in Proc
tor Wednesday morning at 5 o'clock fol-
lowing an illness Of many weeks with
heart trouble. He was first taken SICK
about two months ago, aud since that time
his condition had grown worse, although
there were intervals OF hopeiulness regard
ing the outcome,
The funeral will be held this afternoon
at 2i5, at the Union church IN Proctor.
Fletcher Dutton Proctor was born M
Cavcndish on November I, 1850, the son
OF the late United States senator Rcdheld
and Emily j tDuttonl Proctor. Tie AZ
tended school At military institute IN
Rutland and later at Middlebmy high
school spending a short time IN the Mid
dlehury college and then goinr to Amherst
college. from which institution he was
graduated IN lSS2
After completing his education he en-
tered business life, being employed by the
Vermont Marble company, the president
Of which was his father, Redheld Proctor
He began by learning the machinlst
trade aud occupied other positions. In 1850
he was made superintendent From that
time he became active IN the management
of the great concern and IN 1889 he was
elected president, a position which he hlled
up 10 the time OF his death. In addition
TO this lac was president OF the Clarendon
X Pittsford railroad, OF the, Proctor Trust
Co, and the Barney Marble Co., besides
being interested in a great many other or.
CARNATIONS.
His rise in official life and politics was
steady. beginning with local offices in Rut.
land and Proctor. including selectman and
school commissioner. lie was secretary OF
civil and military affairs under Governor
Olmsbee and was elected to the Vermont
house OF representatives FIRST IN lSoo,
from the town OF Proctor. At the next
biennial election he was elected a senator
from Rutland county, and in 1900, re
turning to the house, he was elected speak
err Again in 1894 he was sent back to
the house by the town OF Proctor and two
years later he was elected governor OF Yer.
mont, lust Is years after his father had
held the position. Leaving that Office IN
1908, he devoted his entire time to the
rapidly growing interests OF the Vermont
Marble company.
In his earlier years Ex-Governor Proc
tor was interested in the Vermont Ma
tional Guard, having enlisted in Company
4 and being promoted to second and then
first lieutenant. He was appointed IN.
spector of rifle practice on the staff Of
Colonel Greenleaf In 1883 he was elected
first permanent colonel of the Vermont
division OF Sons OF Veterans, and during
his administration, the division progressed
greatly.
Ex-Governor Proctor was married on
MAY &c 1856, to Minnie +. Robinson OF
Westford
The death of former Governor Proctor
1 4 l.,v Ill la ..t ON
in Vermont as the greatest calamity Of
lis kind that could have befallen the state.
His business and political career had been
a remarkable one. but in the world OF az
fairs he had, at the age of 80 only begun
upon that period of life in which men OF
extraordinary ability are at Their best. lie
had inherited from New England ances'
try those sturdy characteristics which have
been the source not only OF the material
progress OF the state and nation but which
have been the most important foundation
of whatever Americans as people have ac'
complished in the direction of civic liberty
and progress.
He had been honored by the people Of
the state and in turn, through his con
scientious administration OF every trust
placed in his hands. had placed the com
monwealth largely in his debt This obliga-
likewise his fitness for the position that
there was common understanding that he
should succeed United States Senator Page
when the present junior member from Yer
mont in the upper house Of congress
should see fit to retire from public llfe,
Governor Proctor did not make his way
into public favor and recognition without
struggle. but his career as governor was
so able and so eminently fair to all, regard
less OF political affiliations, that II can
be stated without the slightest risk of con
tradiction that no public man OF the pres
ent generation in Vermont was More gen
orally liked or more highly respected.
While it was in his political life that
Governor Proctor came in closest touch
with the people of Vermont and while hls
record as governor will make lasting i'm
preston, it was really as the head Of a
great business institution that he best de
monstrated his strength Under his dl-
rection the Vermont Marble company, es-
tablshed by his father. the late Senator
Redfeld Proctor, has become the greatest
marble quarrying and manufacturing es-
Establishment in the world From small
beginnings it had been added to and en-
larged until it handled half the marble
output of the world
Governor Proctor's personal characters
tics are perhaps best shown by the fact
that he was idolized by every employe OF
the great company of which he was the
head. These include men of a score OF
races, of many churches and representing
all parties and factions, vet they were to
man, loya friends of Fletcher Proctor,