Walter C. Dunton
Walter C. Dunton (November 29, 1830—April 23, 1890) was a Vermont attorney, businessman, politician, and judge. In addition to serving in the Vermont State Senate, Dunton was a Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court from 1877 to 1879.
Early life
Walter Chipman Dunton was born in Bristol, Vermont on November 29, 1830.[1] He was educated at Franklin Academy, and graduated from Middlebury College in 1857.[1] After graduation, Dunton studied law with the firm of Dillingham and Durant of Waterbury, and then with Linsley and Prout of Rutland.[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1858, moved to Manhattan, Kansas Territory, and established a practice in Riley County, Kansas.[2] A Republican, Dunton served in the Territorial Legislature in 1861.[2]
Military career
In 1862, Dunton enlisted for the American Civil War, was commissioned as a captain in the Union Army, and was appointed commander of Company F, 14th Vermont Infantry.[2] Part of the 2nd Vermont Brigade, the 14th Vermont was a 10-month regiment, and was active from October 1862 to August 1863;[2] it took part in the defense of Washington, DC, and played a key role in breaking up Pickett's Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg.[2]
After the war, Vermont Grand Army of the Republic Post 110 in Bristol was named in his honor.[3]
Later career
After leaving the Army, Dunton practiced law in Rutland as the partner of John Prout and Wheelock G. Veazey.[1] In 1865 he was elected probate judge of Rutland County, and he served until 1877.[1] In 1870 he was a delegate to the state constitutional convention.[2] Dunton served as a trustee of Middlebury College from 1870 to 1890.[2]
In April 1877, Dunton was appointed a Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, replacing Hoyt H. Wheeler, who resigned to become Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont.[2] He served until 1879, when he resigned and returned to practicing law; he was succeeded on the court by his law partner Wheelock Veazey.[2]
Dunton served in the Vermont State Senate from 1880 to 1882, and served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee.[2] He served as president of the Vermont Bar Association from 1880 to 1881, and from 1888 to 1889 he was a law professor at Iowa State University.[2] Dunton was also active in several businesses; in addition to serving as the attorney for Rutland's Baxter National Bank, he was also a member of the bank's board of directors.[4]
Death and burial
Dunton died in Rutland on April 23, 1890,[4] and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Rutland.[5]
Family
In October 1862, Dunton married Miriam E. Barrett of Rutland.[2] They were the parents of one son and four daughters: Agnes Ellen; Edith Kellogg; Walter Barrett; Miriam Buttrick; and Mary.[2]
References
Sources
Books
- Harman, Henry H. (1901). Proceedings of the Vermont Bar Association: Memorial Paper on Walter C. Dunton. Montpelier, VT: Argus and Patriot Printing House.
- Ullery, Jacob G. (1894). Men of Vermont Illustrated. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Publishing Company.
Newspapers
- "Death Notice, Hon. Walter C. Dunton". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. April 25, 1890.
Internet
- Snoots, Jen (2010). "Memorial, Walter C. Dunton". Find A Grave. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC.
- "Grand Army of the Republic Department of Vermont Posts". Vermont in the Civil War. Tom Ledoux. Retrieved June 9, 2017.