was nominated by the representatives from the third judicial circuit for the circuit judge ship, but declined the position. He was elected congressman in 1856 and re-elected, retiring in 1860. During his first term, he was the youngest member of the House. In 1870 he was unanimously elected judge and served for twenty years, and aware of his declining health, refused another election. In 1882, the degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him by the University of Vermont. He was a man of massive, powerful brain, a graceful and most effective speaker. His written opinions were not always as well guarded as necessary to make the statements always technically correct. He said the most difficult thing for him to do was to write opinions in the Supreme Court. He shone best in the trial of jury causes and when orally disposing of questions of law. His charges to the jury were pointed, con cise and never liable to be misunderstood. He sentenced prisoners in so tender and pathetic terms, that I have seen them over whelm him with such profuse thanks that one would think they supposed he had done them the greatest favor by consigning them to a few years in the penitentiary. He was bold and stubborn in his views upon all questions; he cared little for pub lic clamor and was independent in all re spects. He was true and genuine in all, his HOMER E. ROVCE obtained his education actions, and if there was anything that he in the common schools and at the academies disliked, it was what passes in modern times in St. Albans and Knosburgh, studied law with under the phrase of " sham and shoddy." Thomas Child, was admitted at the age of The proposition that the judges wear silk twenty-four, and until 1856 practiced law at gowns was never made to him by anyone a East Berkshire. He was State attorney for second time. Franklin County, represented Berkshire in the Assembly, and was a member of the Timothy P. Redfield was one of twelve State Senate for several years, — the first children, six sons and six daughters of Dr. time, senator as soon as he had reached Peleg Redfield, an early settler in Coventry. the constitutional age, and the last, the He prepared for college at Peacham Acad session prior to his election as judge. At emy, and to save his funds, walked most of the time of the change in the judicial system the way from Coventry to Dartmouth Col in 1850, although the youngest member of lege. He stood well in his class and grad the Senate and but thirty years of age, he uated in 1836; the degree of LL.D. was
received an academical education, read law at Newfane and Brattleboro, and was ad mitted to the Bar when twenty-six years of age, locating and practicing his profession in Jamaica, representing that town in the Legislature and Windham County in the State Senate. In 1868 he was vigorously supported for the judgeship, and the succeeding year, upon the retirement of Judge Prout, was elected his successor with great unanimity. The last day of March, 1877, he resigned the judgeship, having been appointed by President Hayes United States judge for the Vermont District, and is now holding that position. There is so little business in the United States Courts in this district that a large part of his services are per formed in the other districts of the second circuit. He did excellent service when upon the State Bench; in the Supreme Court, although he occasionally disagreed with his brethren, he seldom appears as dis senting in the reports. He is much of an antiquarian and well versed in early local history, and is as well an antiquarian in legal matters, possessing most of the early books of the law. He undoubtedly has a better knowledge of the early English law books and decisions than any other Vermonter living.
