Bennington

BATES, Edward Lewis

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, part II, p 23

Edward L. BATES, of Bennington [Vermont], was born 24 June 1869 in Bennington 
[Bennington County, Vermont], son of William and Melissa (SCRIBNER) BATES. 
He received his education in the graded schools of Bennington, supplemented 
by a course of instruction at the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden [Sullivan 
County], New Hampshire. Choosing the legal profession as a business of life, 
in 1875 he entered the office of Gardner & Harman, of Bennington, where he 
remained until 1882, when he formed a partnership with James K. BATCHELDER, 
Esq., which continues to the present time. Mr. BATES was admitted to practice 
at the bar of the Bennington County court 12 June 1882, and more recently to 
that of the United States district and circuit courts. He has also been 
appointed United States commissioner for Vermont. Though a general 
practitioner he gives especial attention to criminal and office practice.

Outside of his profession he deals largely in real estate in Bennington, 
Petersburg and Cambridge, New York. He is a firm adherent of the Republican 
party, and through their votes has been appointed to many positions of trust 
and honor. For several years he discharged the duties of auditor and village 
clerk in Bennington, was states attorney [1884-1888 and 1894-1896], and was 
commissioned by Governors PAGE and FULLER as special prosecutor of criminal 
offenses [1890-1894]. He has acted as corporation counsel for the village of 
Bennington [1893, re-elected 1894], and was secretary of the citizens' 
committee of fifty at the dedication of the Bennington battle monument. In 
1892 he was made a member of the staff of Governor FULLER, with the rank of 
colonel [1892-1894]. He is very active in town and political affairs and is 
an eloquent and powerful orator in political campaigns.

In May 1882 Col. [Edward Lewis] BATES was united in wedlock to Jennie M., 
daughter of Buel and Mary [EAMES) ROCKWOOD, who died in 1884. He contracted 
a second alliance 17 May 1887 with Estella, daughter of Perry W. and Lucy 
(GREEN) ELBRED, of Hoosick [Rensselaer County], New York. Of this latter 
marriage there are issue: Beulah Bell and William Leroy BATES. Colonel 
BATES is a member of the Baptist church and of the Masonic order, having held 
several offices in the local lodge as well as that of Grand Orator of the 
Lodge of Perfection. He belongs to the Bennington Council and the Oriental 
Temple of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and he has also affiliated with Tucker 
Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly