Windham

READ, Levant Murray

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 334

Levant Murray READ, of Bellows Falls [Windham County, Vermont], was born 26 
December 1842 in Wardsboro [Windham County, Vermont], son of Charles and 
Olive C. (WILLARD) READ. Educated in the common schools of his native town 
and in Leland and Gray Seminary, Townshend [Windham County]. Then studied 
law with Hon. H. H. WHEELER, then of Jamaica [Windham County], and was 
admitted to the bar in 1869, at the April term of Windham County court. 
Began practice in Jamaica, entering in partnership with Hon. Hoyt H. WHEELER. 
In 1872 Mr. READ moved to Bellows Falls, continuing to practice his 
profession, and was elected judge of probate for Westminster district in 
1876, which office he has continuously held to the present time; was state's 
attorney of Windham County in 1880 and 1882. Republican; has been too busily 
engaged in the practice of his profession to accept political honors; was 
elected to the Legislature from the town of Rockingham in September 1892. 
Judge READ has served on the committee appointed by the Supreme Court on 
admissions to the bar, and was in 1892 elected president of the Vermont Bar 
Association.

In 1863 he [Levant Murray READ] enlisted in Company H, Second Vermont 
Volunteers; was in the battles of Rappahanock Station and Mine Run, and the 
struggle of the Wilderness, in which he was wounded, and was discharged 20 
August 1865. Was the first commander of E. H. Stoughton Post No. 34, Grand 
Army of the Republic, and was afterwards twice elected; also a member of the 
Mount Lebanon Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons, of Jamaica, of which he was 
master for four successive terms; was elected grand master of the Grand Lodge 
in 1878, and held that position until 1881; was first dictator of the 
subordinate lodge of K. of H., and also grand dictator of the Grand Lodge. 
On 13 December 1876 he [Levant Murray READ] married Sarah A., daughter of 
Jared R. and Sarah A. PERKINS of Bellows Falls [Windham County, Vermont]; 
they have one daughter, Mary Alice.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly