Lamoille

BINGHAM, William Henry Harrison

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, pp 28-30

William Henry Harrison BINGHAM, of Stowe [Lamoille County, Vermont], was born 
15 April 1813 at Fletcher [Franklin County, Vermont], son of Elias and Martha 
(ROBINSON) BINGHAM. His father, Elias BINGHAM, in early life came from 
Connecticut and settled in Fletcher, which he represented in the Legislature, 
he [Elias BINGHAM] dying in 1839. William H. H. BINGHAM received his 
education in the schools of his native place and at the St. Albans Academy. 
When of age he began the study of law in the office of O. W. BUTLER, Esq., of 
Stowe, entering at once upon an active professional practice and continued 
there until 1874. He has deservedly obtained a very high local reputation as 
a business lawyer and collector, which specialty has brought him into 
intimate relations with nearly all of the merchants and business men of this 
vicinity. These circumstances combined with his great personal popularity 
gave him a most extensive practice for a rural community. Relying on his 
good judgment and professional skill very many cases were referred to him by 
the county and supreme court in his capacity of auditor, referee, 
commissioner and master in chancery. He has served four terms as state's 
attorney for Lamoille County.

Mr. BINGHAM has always been and still is identified with the national 
Democratic party. In 1853 he represented Stowe in the Legislature, the same 
year was elected county commissioner, and in 1862 a member of the Council of 
Censors and was its clerk. From 1853 to 1857 he was pension agent for the 
eastern department of Vermont. A member of the last constitutional 
convention of 1870, he was appointed in 1878 one of the directors of the 
state's prison and house of correction and for fourteen years served in that 
capacity. On three occasions Mr. BINGHAM was Democratic candidate for the 
chief magistracy of Vermont and has received the largest number of votes ever 
cast for a member of that party. Twice he has been selected as congressional 
candidate from his district.

On 31 July 1838 Mr. [William Henry Harrison ] BINGHAM married Orpha R., 
daughter of Riverius CAMP, Esq., a prominent citizen of Stowe [Lamoille 
County, Vermont]. She [Orpha R. BINGHAM] died without issue in November 
1891, mourned by all who knew her. Mr. BINGHAM was for many years director 
of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Montpelier; for ten years 
its president; has also been a director of many banks, insurance and railroad 
companies; is now a director of the Central Vermont Railroad, and director of 
the National Life Insurance company, and Waterbury National Bank. He also 
organized a company, of which he became a president, to erect a magnificent 
hotel in the village of Stowe near the base of Mt. Mansfield, and under his 
careful supervision this enterprise was successfully accomplished, as well as 
the building of a smaller house upon the summit with a carriage road leading 
from the valley to its door, thus attracting multitudes of strangers and 
tourists. He is always know as Governor BINGHAM, and now that he counts more 
than fourscore years is yet young in mind and is always gladly greeted by the 
younger men of his profession who, like all who know him, respect and love 
him.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly