Charles Linsley

Charles Linsley (August 29, 1795 – November 3, 1863) was a Vermont lawyer and politician. The son-in-law of Daniel Chipman, he was notable for his service as United States Attorney for the District of Vermont (1845-1849), member of the Vermont House of Representatives (1858-1859), and U.S. Collector of Customs for Vermont (1860-1861).

Charles Linsley
From 1886's History of Addison County, Vermont
U.S. Collector of Customs for the District of Vermont
In office
1860–1861
Preceded byIsaac B. Bowdish
Succeeded byWilliam Clapp
United States Attorney for the District of Vermont
In office
1845–1849
Preceded byCharles Davis
Succeeded byAbel Underwood
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Rutland
In office
1858–1859
Preceded byWilliam F. Barnes
Succeeded byHorace Allen
Vermont Railroad Commissioner
In office
1855–1857
Preceded byNone (position created)
Succeeded byGeorge Perkins Marsh
Personal details
Born(1795-08-29)August 29, 1795
Cornwall, Vermont
DiedNovember 3, 1863(1863-11-03) (aged 68)
Middlebury, Vermont
Resting placeMiddlebury Cemetery Middlebury, Vermont
Political partyDemocratic (until 1862)
Republican (from 1862)
Spouse(s)Sarah Chipman, m. 1827-1841 (her death)
Emmeline Wells, m. 1841-1863 (his death)
RelationsDaniel Chipman (father-in-law)
Joel H. Linsley (brother)
Children17 (including Daniel Chipman Linsley)
ProfessionAttorney

Early life

Charles Linsley was born in Cornwall, Vermont on August 29, 1795.[1] He was the son of American Revolution veteran Judge Joel Linsley and Levina (Gilbert) Linsley, and he was raised and educated in Addison County.[2] Initially trained for a mercantile career, he decided to become an attorney and studied law with his father and Daniel Chipman in Middlebury, afterwards continuing his studies under Stephen Royce in St. Albans.[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1823, and established a successful practice in Middlebury.[1]

Career

In addition to practicing law, Linsley was active in business, politics and government.[1] He served in several local offices, including justice of the peace[3] and commissioner of jail delivery.[4] (The commissioners of jail delivery were responsible for keeping track of sentences and releasing prisoners at their completion. They also ensured that individuals on parole or probation complied with the terms of their sentences.) A Democrat, he campaigned for Congress as opposition to slavery was becoming the dominant issue in Vermont politics, which enabled the rise of first the Anti-Masonic Party, then the Whigs, and then the Republicans.[5] Linsley was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives from Vermont's 2nd District in 1833, 1838, and 1840, and lost each time to incumbent William Slade.[6]

from 1845 to 1849, Linsley served as United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, succeeding Charles Davis and preceding Abel Underwood.[1] He served for several years as counsel and board of directors member for the Rutland and Burlington Railroad.[1] When the state legislature created the position of state railroad commissioner in 1855 to regulate railway construction, maintenance and operations, Linsley was the first person appointed to the position, and he served until 1857, when he was succeeded by George Perkins Marsh.[1] Linsley's other business interests included serving as a director of the Champlain and Connecticut River Railroad,[7] the Middlebury Savings Bank,[8] and the Middlebury Hotel Company.[9]

In 1856, Linsley moved to Rutland to practice law in partnership with John Prout,[10] and in 1858 he served as Rutland's member of the Vermont House of Representatives.[1] From 1860 to 1861 he served as the U.S. Collector of Customs for Vermont.[1] Linsley returned to Middlebury in 1862.[2] During the American Civil War, he was initially a pro-Union Democrat and a strong opponent of secession, which led him to join the Republican Party in 1862.[2][11]

Honors

In 1835, Linsley received the honorary degree of master of arts from Middlebury College.[12]

Death and burial

During the final two years of his life, Linsley suffered from ill health.[1] He died in Middlebury on November 3, 1863[1] and was buried at Middlebury Cemetery in Middlebury.

Family

In 1827, Linsley married Sarah Chipman (1806-1841), the daughter of Daniel Chipman.[1] They were the parents of Daniel (1827-1889), Sarah (1828-1854), Charles (1831-1853), George (1833-1889), Susan (1835-1835), Edward (1837-1841), Eliza (1838-1861), and Emma (1840-1854).[1]

Linsley married Emmeline Wells in 1841.[1] Their children included David (1842-1842), Mary (b. 1844), Emmeline (1845-1858), Joel (1847-1899), John Gilbert (1849-1851), William (1851-1910), Hellena (1854-1857), Julius Gilbert (1856-1930), and Richard (1859-1860).[1]

Charles Linsley's siblings included Joel H. Linsley, a prominent clergyman who served as president of Marietta College.[2]

References
  1. "Biographical Sketch, Charles Linsley", p. 1.
  2. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont, p. 255.
  3. Journal of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont (1828), p. 108.
  4. Journal of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont (1830), p. 42.
  5. "Slavery or Sheep? The Antebellum Realignment in Vermont 1840-1860", p. 4.
  6. "Past Elections: Charles Linsley (D)".
  7. History of Rutland County, Vermont, p. 160.
  8. Acts and Resolves Passed by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont (1833), p. 132.
  9. Acts and Resolves Passed by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont (1851), p. 130.
  10. History of Rutland County, Vermont, p. 905.
  11. "Addison County Right on the Record", p. 2.
  12. Catalogue of the Officers and Alumni of Middlebury College, p. 157.

Sources

Internet
  • Achen, Christopher H. (May 26, 2011). "Slavery or Sheep? The Antebellum Realignment in Vermont 1840-1860" (PDF). Center for the Study of Democratic Politics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  • Ellingson, Barbara (1997). "Biographical Sketch, Charles Linsley" (PDF). Charles and Emmeline Linsley Papers, 1827-1892. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Historical Society. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  • "Past Elections: Charles Linsley (D)". Vermont Elections Database. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved July 3, 2018.

Books

Newspapers
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