Governor of Vermont, Secretary of War, US Senator. Sons Fletcher and Redfield Jr. and grandson Mortimer all served as Vermont Governor. Raised by mother from age 8 after sudden death of father. Attended Black River Academy, Ludlow and Derby Academy, Derby Line. Graduate, Dartmouth College, 1851. Masters degree, Dartmouth, 1854. Moved to Minnesota, but soon returned to Vermont. Married Emily Dutton of Cavendish, 1858. Five children -- Fanny G. (died 1883), Arabella Proctor Holden (died 1953), Fletcher Dutton Proctor (died 1911), Emily Dutton Proctor (died 1890), Redfield Proctor, Junior (died 1957). Graduate, Albany Law School, 1859. Admitted to bar, practiced in Boston. Enlisted as quartermaster of the 3rd Vermont Regiment, 1861. Promoted to Major in 5th Vermont Regiment. Contracted tuberculosis, ordered home, 1862. After his health was restored, commanded 15th Vermont Regiment in Gettysburg campaign. Founded Reunion Society of Vermont Officers, 1864. Returned to Vermont, engaged in practice of law. Owned and operated a large farm. Appointed receiver of small marble company, Sutherland Falls, 1869. In 1882 Sutherland Falls was renamed Proctor in his honor. Through mergers and acquisitions formed Vermont Marble Company, the world’s largest marble producer. Served as corporate President. Vermont House, 1867-68. Vermont Senate, 1874-75. Senate President. Lieutenant Governor, 1876-78. Governor, 1878-80. Vermont House, 1888. Secretary of War, 1889-91. Refused to fly flag at half mast to honor US Secretary of War and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, an honor usually accorded all former Secretaries of War. US Senator, November 2, 1891 until his death. Played major part in appointment of Vermont’s Admiral George Dewey as Commander of the Asiatic Squadron. His speech on Cuba after a visit to the island played a vital role in US decision to go to war with Spain. Chairman, Committees on Agriculture and Military Affairs. Vermont Marble is now owned by foreign investors, but is still in business. Senator Frank Partridge wrote “Redfield Proctor, His Life and Public Services,” which appeared in Proceedings of the Vermont Historical Society for the Years 1913-1914 (1915): 57-123.
Governor of Vermont, Secretary of War, US Senator. Sons Fletcher and Redfield Jr. and grandson Mortimer all served as Vermont Governor. Raised by mother from age 8 after sudden death of father. Attended Black River Academy, Ludlow and Derby Academy, Derby Line. Graduate, Dartmouth College, 1851. Masters degree, Dartmouth, 1854. Moved to Minnesota, but soon returned to Vermont. Married Emily Dutton of Cavendish, 1858. Five children -- Fanny G. (died 1883), Arabella Proctor Holden (died 1953), Fletcher Dutton Proctor (died 1911), Emily Dutton Proctor (died 1890), Redfield Proctor, Junior (died 1957). Graduate, Albany Law School, 1859. Admitted to bar, practiced in Boston. Enlisted as quartermaster of the 3rd Vermont Regiment, 1861. Promoted to Major in 5th Vermont Regiment. Contracted tuberculosis, ordered home, 1862. After his health was restored, commanded 15th Vermont Regiment in Gettysburg campaign. Founded Reunion Society of Vermont Officers, 1864. Returned to Vermont, engaged in practice of law. Owned and operated a large farm. Appointed receiver of small marble company, Sutherland Falls, 1869. In 1882 Sutherland Falls was renamed Proctor in his honor. Through mergers and acquisitions formed Vermont Marble Company, the world’s largest marble producer. Served as corporate President. Vermont House, 1867-68. Vermont Senate, 1874-75. Senate President. Lieutenant Governor, 1876-78. Governor, 1878-80. Vermont House, 1888. Secretary of War, 1889-91. Refused to fly flag at half mast to honor US Secretary of War and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, an honor usually accorded all former Secretaries of War. US Senator, November 2, 1891 until his death. Played major part in appointment of Vermont’s Admiral George Dewey as Commander of the Asiatic Squadron. His speech on Cuba after a visit to the island played a vital role in US decision to go to war with Spain. Chairman, Committees on Agriculture and Military Affairs. Vermont Marble is now owned by foreign investors, but is still in business. Senator Frank Partridge wrote “Redfield Proctor, His Life and Public Services,” which appeared in Proceedings of the Vermont Historical Society for the Years 1913-1914 (1915): 57-123.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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