BATES, HON. HENRY CLAY, was born in Derby, Vermont, January 29,
1843, and received his education in the public schools of his native town.
When the war broke out he enlisted as a private in Company C, Fourth
Massachusetts Heavy artillery. Returning from the service he took up the
study of law in the office of EDWARDS & DICKERMAN at Newport. After
his admission to the bar he practiced for a short time at West Concord
and later at Guildhall. In 1873 he located in St. Johnsbury, and a few
years later formed a partnership with Elisha MAY, Esq., which continued
until the spring of 1901, when he received an appointment on the bench
in the Philippine islands. Judge BATES possesses an unusually acute and
logical mind and is a man of rare judgment in the application of legal
principles and has the gift of clear and forcible statement and has gained
a foremost place at the Vermont bar.
He is an old line staunch Republican. In 1880-'82 he was state's
attorney for Caledonia county and again in 1892-'94. Was senator from Caledonia
county in 1886-'87-'88-'89. During the first term he served as chairman
of the committee on rules and a member of the judiciary committee, and
during the second term was president Pro tem. of the senate. In 1896 he
represented St. Johnsbury in the general assembly and was recognized as
a leader of the house, and in 1898, was elected lieutenant-governor of
Vermont.
In the early spring of 1901 he took his departure for the Philippines
to fill an important judicial position which he has done with great credit,
not only to himself and Vermont but to the American people.
Source: Successful Vermonters,
William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical Publishing Company,
1904, page 54-56.
Prepared
by Tom Dunn January 2004
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