Vermont Governor, US Senator. Son of Governor Paul Dillingham. Brother in Law of US Senator Matthew Carpenter of Wisconsin. Attended local schools, Newbury Academy and Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire. Disqualified from military service in Civil War due to ill health. Studied law at Albany Law School and the Milwaukee office of his brother in law. Admitted to bar, practiced law in Waterbury. Served as Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs (governor's chief assistant) during his father Paul's governorship, 1865-66. State's Attorney, Washington County, 1872-76. Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs, Governor Asahel Peck, 1874-76. Vermont House, 1876-77, 1884-85. Commissioner of Taxes, 1882-88. Governor, 1888-90. Appointed to US Senate to fill vacancy caused by death of Justin Morrill, subsequently elected and reelected, serving 1900-23. During Senate career was Chairman, Committees on Transportation Routes to the Seaboard; Immigration; Privileges and Elections; and Committee to Establish the University of the United States. Chairman, US Joint House-Senate Immigration Commission (The Dillingham Commission), 1907-10. His commission's report helped popularize the now outdated idea that race predetermined ability and was factor in movement for US to establish immigration quotas based on national origin. In 1914 won Vermont's first popular election for US Senator after Constitution was amended to take that role from state legislatures. President, Waterbury National Bank, 1890-1923. Trustee, University of Vermont. President, Montpelier Seminary Board of Trustees.
Vermont Governor, US Senator. Son of Governor Paul Dillingham. Brother in Law of US Senator Matthew Carpenter of Wisconsin. Attended local schools, Newbury Academy and Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire. Disqualified from military service in Civil War due to ill health. Studied law at Albany Law School and the Milwaukee office of his brother in law. Admitted to bar, practiced law in Waterbury. Served as Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs (governor's chief assistant) during his father Paul's governorship, 1865-66. State's Attorney, Washington County, 1872-76. Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs, Governor Asahel Peck, 1874-76. Vermont House, 1876-77, 1884-85. Commissioner of Taxes, 1882-88. Governor, 1888-90. Appointed to US Senate to fill vacancy caused by death of Justin Morrill, subsequently elected and reelected, serving 1900-23. During Senate career was Chairman, Committees on Transportation Routes to the Seaboard; Immigration; Privileges and Elections; and Committee to Establish the University of the United States. Chairman, US Joint House-Senate Immigration Commission (The Dillingham Commission), 1907-10. His commission's report helped popularize the now outdated idea that race predetermined ability and was factor in movement for US to establish immigration quotas based on national origin. In 1914 won Vermont's first popular election for US Senator after Constitution was amended to take that role from state legislatures. President, Waterbury National Bank, 1890-1923. Trustee, University of Vermont. President, Montpelier Seminary Board of Trustees.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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