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American judge (1830–1890) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Walter C. Dunton | |
---|---|
Member of the Vermont Senate from Rutland County | |
In office 1880–1882 Serving with Royal D. King, Orel Cook, Emmett R. Pember | |
Preceded by | Horace H. Dyer, Ebenezer J. Ormsbee, Levi Rice, Charles A. Rann |
Succeeded by | Aldace F. Walker, Walter E. Howard, Charles D. Childs, Charles S. Colburn |
President of the Vermont Bar Association | |
In office 1880–1881 | |
Preceded by | Luke P. Poland |
Succeeded by | Daniel Roberts |
Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court | |
In office 1877–1879 | |
Preceded by | Hoyt H. Wheeler |
Succeeded by | Wheelock G. Veazey |
Probate Judge of the Rutland District of Vermont | |
In office 1865–1877 | |
Preceded by | Ambrose L. Brown |
Succeeded by | Charles S. Colburn |
Personal details | |
Born | Bristol, Vermont, U.S. | November 29, 1830
Died | April 23, 1890 59) Rutland City, Vermont, U.S. | (aged
Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Rutland, Vermont, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Miriam E. Barrett (m. 1862) |
Children | 5 (including Edith Kellogg Dunton) |
Education | Middlebury College |
Occupation | Attorney |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States (Union) |
Branch/service | Union Army |
Years of service | 1862–1863 |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | 14th Vermont Infantry |
Commands | Company F, 14th Vermont Infantry |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
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, where he was a charter member of the Middlebury chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.[1][2] 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]
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]
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]
Dunton died in Rutland on April 23, 1890,[4] and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Rutland.[5]
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]
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