Essex

DALE, George N.

1st Biography of George N. DALE

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 92 
(portrait p 92)

George N. DALE, of Island Pond [Essex County, Vermont], was born 19 February 
1834 in Fairfax [Franklin County, Vermont], son of James and Jane (NEEDHAM) 
DALE. After attending the common schools in Waitsfield [Washington County], 
he studied two or three years at Thetford Academy [Orange County]. Resolving 
to become a lawyer, Mr. DALE commenced his studies in the office of 
Dillingham & Durant at Waterbury [Washington County], and was admitted to the 
bar at the March term of the Washington County court in 1856. He then 
entered into partnership with Hon. W. H. HARTSHORN at Guildhall [Essex 
County], where he continued to practice until 1861. At that time he removed 
to Island Pond and for several years pursued his profession, both by himself 
and with the firms of Dale & Robinson at Derby [Essex County] and Barton 
[Orleans County], and with Dale & Carpenter in Charleston [Orleans County, 
Vermont], but since 1882 he has confined his office work to Island Pond.

[Lieutenant] Governor DALE [Lt. Gov. 1870-1872] is affiliated with the Masonic 
fraternity, being a member of the following organizations: Island Pond Lodge 
No. 44; Haswell Chapter, St. Johnsbury [Caledonia County]; and North Star 
Commandery Knights Templar, of Lancaster [Coos County], New Hampshire. He 
has been honored with many offices in the gift of the people; was state's 
attorney for Essex County for four years from December 1857, and was chosen 
to the Legislature from Guildhall in 1860. Soon after he received the 
appointment of Deputy Collector of Customs and was put in charge of the port 
of Island Pond. This office he resigned in 1866, but was reappointed in 1871 
and discharged its duties until 1882. He was a member of the state Senate 
for four consecutive terms from 1866 and in 1870 was elected Lieutenant 
Governor of the state. In the Legislature of 1892 he represented the town of 
Brighton. [The Village of Island Pond is in the Town of Brighton, Essex 
County, Vermont.] Lt. Governor DALE was president of the Vermont Bar 
Association in 1886. As an advocate and orator he commands the admiration, 
and as a man wins the love, of those who know him. On 06 October 1865 he 
[George N. DALE] married Helen M. [Helen A.?], daughter of Porter and Mary P. 
(WILDER) HINMAN, and their union has been blessed with three children: (1) 
Porter H. [born 01 March 1867 in Island Pond, Essex County, Vermont], senator 
from Vermont 1923-1933; (2) Helen Inez [born 06 May 1872, also at Island 
Pond]; and Mary Lettie [born 22 March 1883, Island Pond].



2nd Biography of George N. DALE

Vermont Historical Magazine, No XI, October 1867, p 1008 (excerpt from a 
section on the history of Guildhall, Essex County)

George N. DALE came into town [Guildhall] in the autumn of 1856. He was from 
Waitsfield [Washington County, Vermont], and if we mistake not, was educated 
at Thetford [Orange County], and studied law with Mr. DURANT. He [Mr. DALE] 
represented the town [Guildhall] in the Vermont Legislature in 1860; was 
State's Attorney three years, being esteemed a popular and promising young 
lawyer, and a man of many good qualities. In 1861 he received an appointment 
of deputy collector [of customs] at Island Pond [Essex County, Vermont], and 
his present residence is at that place.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly