Chittenden

DERBY, Buel John

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 169-170

Buel John DERBY, postmaster, Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont], was 
born 08 March 1839 at Huntington [Chittenden County, Vermont], son of John 
and Sarah (BUEL) DERBY. Educated in the public schools. Came to Burlington 
in 1859, and became clerk in the Burlington post office under David A. 
DANFORTH, then postmaster. In 1860 went to Rutland as clerk in the Rutland 
[Rutland County] post office. In September 1862 enlisted as private in 
Company K, Twelfth Vermont Volunteers; detailed and served as commissary and 
quartermaster sergeant; was appointed quartermaster of the Seventeenth 
Vermont Volunteers in April 1864, serving until the close of the war. 
Engaged for one year in the manufacture of chairs at Bristol [Addison 
County]. Came to Burlington as assistant postmaster in February 1867, 
serving eight years. Appointed postmaster by General GRANT March 1875, which 
office he held to 1887. In 1899 was again appointed postmaster by President 
McKINLEY, which office he still holds. Republican; holds commissions as 
postmaster of Burlington from Presidents GRANT, HAYES, ARTHUR, McKINLEY, 
TAFT, and two from President [Theodore] ROOSEVELT. In 1888 was delegate to 
Republican national convention, Chicago; city school commissioner 1898-1899; 
from 1887-1889 was superintendent of Vermont State Agricultural Society and 
Champlain Valley Association; director of Denison Land and Investment 
Company, Denison, TX, 1889-1908, last three years president and general 
manager; incorporator and director Burlington Grocery Company since 
organization 1894. Member of Stannard Post No. 2, Grand Army of the 
Republic; Order of the Loyal Legion; Vermont Commandery; Washington Lodge No. 
3, Free & Accepted Masons; and the Ethan Allen Club. In 1866 he [Buel John 
DERBY] married [Miss?] Arvilla C. WHEELER of Bristol [Addison County, 
Vermont]; they have one daughter, Georgiana, now the wife of Thomas B. HANNA 
of Burlington.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly