Russell S. Taft | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chief Justice of theVermont Supreme Court | |
| In office January 12, 1899 – March 22, 1902 | |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Ross |
| Succeeded by | John W. Rowell |
| Associate Justice of theVermont Supreme Court | |
| In office December 17, 1880 – January 11, 1899 | |
| Preceded by | James Barrett |
| Succeeded by | John H. Watson |
| Member of theVermont House of Representatives fromBurlington | |
| In office October 6, 1880 – December 16, 1880 | |
| Preceded by | Bradley B. Smalley |
| Succeeded by | Robert Roberts |
| Lieutenant Governor of Vermont | |
| In office October 3, 1872 – October 8, 1874 | |
| Governor | Julius Converse |
| Preceded by | George N. Dale |
| Succeeded by | Lyman G. Hinckley |
| Member of theVermont Senate fromChittenden County | |
| In office October 12, 1865 – October 10, 1867 Serving with John L. Barstow, Edgar H. Lane (1866) Amos Hobart, Anson J. Crane (1865) | |
| Preceded by | Leverett B. Englesby, Amos Hobart, Anson J. Crane |
| Succeeded by | John L. Barstow, Edgar H. Lane, Eleazer R. Hard |
| Register of Probate for Vermont'sChittenden District | |
| In office 1866–1878 | |
| Preceded by | W. S. Burnap |
| Succeeded by | Elihu B. Taft |
| State's Attorney ofChittenden County, Vermont | |
| In office 1862–1865 | |
| Preceded by | Jeremiah French |
| Succeeded by | Leverett B. Englesby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1835-01-28)January 28, 1835 Williston, Vermont, US |
| Died | March 22, 1902(1902-03-22) (aged 67) Burlington, Vermont, US |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Melinda L. Carlisle (m. 1858-1873, her death) Jane Marlett Wyatt (m. 1876-1902, his death) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Williston Academy, Williston, Vermont Newbury Academy,Newbury, Vermont |
| Profession | Attorney |
Russell Smith Taft (January 28, 1835 – March 22, 1902) was alawyer,politician andjudge who served as the29th lieutenant governor of Vermont and chief justice of theVermont Supreme Court.
Russell Smith Taft was born inWilliston, Vermont, on January 28, 1835, the seventh of the children born to Elijah and Orinda (Kimball) Taft.[1] He attended schools in Williston andBurlington, and completed his schooling at Williston Academy in Williston and Newbury Academy inNewbury.[2] He taught school in Williston andRichmond, thenstudied law withGeorge F. Edmunds,Torrey E. Wales and others, and attainedadmission to the bar in 1856.[3][4]
After passing the bar, Taft practiced in Burlington in partnership with Wales for 21 years.[3] Among the prospective attorneys who learned the law in the Wales and Taft office wasRufus E. Brown, who later served asVermont Attorney General.[5] Taft was also the firstpresident of the VermontLife InsuranceCompany, and later served as its vice president.[6][7][8]
Taft was an author on legal and historical topics, and his articles were carried inThe Green Bag and other publications.[9] One of his works, an essay onEnglish common law, resulted in membership inLondon'sSelden Society.[9]
In February 1864, Taft became a member of theRoyal Arch Masonry chapter in Burlington.[10] In April 1864, he joined theKnights Templar Masonic organization.[10] As a member of theScottish Rite, he attained the 32nd degree and served as commander in chief of the Vermont consistory.[10]
ARepublican, Taft served as aselectman for the Town of Burlington from 1861 to 1864. After Burlington was incorporated as a city, Taft served as analderman from 1865 to 1869.[11]
From 1862 to 1865 Taft wasChittenden CountyState's Attorney, and he was Chittenden County'sRegister of Probate from 1863 to 1880.[12]
Taft served in theVermont Senate from 1865 to 1867, and he was Burlington'sCity Attorney from 1871 to 1872.[13][14]
In 1872 Taft was the successful Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, and he served from October 1872 to October 1874.[15][16] In 1874 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination forgovernor, losing toAsahel Peck.[17]
Taft represented Burlington in theVermont House of Representatives in 1880.[18][19][20]
In 1880 theVermont Assembly elected Taft anassociate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.[2] He served until 1899, when he was appointedchief justice, replacingJonathan Ross, who had been appointed to theUnited States Senate.[21][22] He was succeeded as an associate justice byJohn H. Watson.[23]
Taft served as chief justice until his death, and was succeeded byJohn W. Rowell. He died inBurlington, Vermont, on March 22, 1902.[24][25][26]
Chief Justice Taft was the recipient of twohonorary degrees from theUniversity of Vermont.[27] In 1877, he received an honoraryMaster of Arts.[27] He received an honoraryDoctor of Laws in 1899.[27]
In 1858, Taft married Melinda L. Carlisle ofMalone, New York.[3] She died in 1873, and they had no children.[3] In 1876, Taft married Jane (Marlett) Wyatt, a Burlington teacher who served as principal of the city's grammar school.[21] With his second wife, Taft was the father of Russell Wales Taft (1878-1912), who practiced law in Burlington.[3]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forLieutenant Governor of Vermont 1872 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Vermont 1872–1874 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
