Wheelock G. Veazey
Encyclopedia
Wheelock Graves Veazey was an American attorney, judge, and government official. Veazey served as a justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
, and as a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission
. During the American Civil War he received the United States military's highest decoration for bravery, the Medal of Honor
.
on December 5, 1835, to Jonathan and Annie (Stevens) Veazey. After being educated in the local public schools, he attended Phillips Exeter Academy
, and then Dartmouth College
, graduating in 1859. After attending Albany Law School
for a year, he was admitted to the Vermont Bar in December 1860, beginning the practice of law in Springfield, Vermont
.
When the Civil War began, Veazey enlisted as a private in Company A of the 3rd Vermont Infantry
. He was made a captain of that regiment in May 1861, and in August was further promoted to major and then lieutenant colonel. On June 22, 1861, he married Julia Beard, daughter of a New Hampshire newspaper editor. In the latter half of 1862 he returned to Vermont to raise a new regiment. On September 27 he was promoted to colonel and elected commander of the newly formed 16th Vermont Infantry
. He led this unit at the Battle of Gettysburg
on July 3, 1863, and several decades later, on September 8, 1891, he received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during that engagement. His official citation reads: "Rapidly assembled his regiment and charged the enemy's flank; charged front under heavy fire, and charged and destroyed a Confederate brigade, all this with new troops in their first battle." He finished his service as chief of staff to General William Farrar Smith
In 1863, he left the army, and returned to Vermont.
Colonel Veazey was active in the Grand Army of the Republic
, serving as post commander of the Rutland post, then as Department Commander for the Vermont G.A.R. from 1873 to 1875. In 1877 and 1888, he served as Judge Advocate General on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the G.A.R., and finally as Commander-in-Chief himself from 1890 to 1891.
as a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission, filling the unexpired term of Aldace F. Walker
, who had resigned a few months before the end of his term. As Congress was not then in session, Veazey received a recess appointment
, taking the oath of office on September 10, 1889. Since Congress did not convene until December, and Veazey's initial term expired on December 31, no effort was made to confirm Veazey for the short initial term, instead President Harrison sent a nomination for a full six year term to the Senate, to expire December 31, 1895. The Senate confirmed Veazey on December 20, three days after receiving the nomination.
President Grover Cleveland
reappointed Veazey to the I.C.C. for a second six-year term on December 19, 1895, and the Senate confirmed him the same day. However, Veazey resigned on December 20, 1896, and was succeeded by Charles A. Prouty
. He remained in Washington, and died there on March 22, 1898.
Vermont Supreme Court
The Vermont Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority of the U.S. state of Vermont and is one of seven state courts of Vermont.The Court consists of a chief justice and four associate justices; the Court mostly hears appeals of cases that have been decided by other courts...
, and as a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission
Interstate Commerce Commission
The Interstate Commerce Commission was a regulatory body in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads to ensure fair rates, to eliminate rate discrimination, and to regulate other aspects of common carriers, including...
. During the American Civil War he received the United States military's highest decoration for bravery, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Early life and career
Veazey was born in Brentwood, New HampshireBrentwood, New Hampshire
Brentwood is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 4,486. Brentwood has been the county seat of Rockingham County since 1997...
on December 5, 1835, to Jonathan and Annie (Stevens) Veazey. After being educated in the local public schools, he attended Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy is a private secondary school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the United States.Exeter is noted for its application of Harkness education, a system based on a conference format of teacher and student interaction, similar to the Socratic method of learning through asking...
, and then Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
, graduating in 1859. After attending Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others....
for a year, he was admitted to the Vermont Bar in December 1860, beginning the practice of law in Springfield, Vermont
Springfield, Vermont
Springfield is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 9,373 at the 2010 census.-History:One of the New Hampshire grants, the township was chartered on August 20, 1761 by Governor Benning Wentworth and awarded to Gideon Lyman and 61 others...
.
When the Civil War began, Veazey enlisted as a private in Company A of the 3rd Vermont Infantry
3rd Vermont Infantry
The 3rd Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry was a three-years infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It served in the eastern theater, predominantly in the VI Corps, Army of the Potomac, from July 1861 to July 1865...
. He was made a captain of that regiment in May 1861, and in August was further promoted to major and then lieutenant colonel. On June 22, 1861, he married Julia Beard, daughter of a New Hampshire newspaper editor. In the latter half of 1862 he returned to Vermont to raise a new regiment. On September 27 he was promoted to colonel and elected commander of the newly formed 16th Vermont Infantry
16th Vermont Infantry
The 16th Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry was a nine months' infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It served in the eastern theater, predominantly in the Defenses of Washington, from October 1862 to August 1863...
. He led this unit at the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
on July 3, 1863, and several decades later, on September 8, 1891, he received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during that engagement. His official citation reads: "Rapidly assembled his regiment and charged the enemy's flank; charged front under heavy fire, and charged and destroyed a Confederate brigade, all this with new troops in their first battle." He finished his service as chief of staff to General William Farrar Smith
William Farrar Smith
William Farrar Smith , was a civil engineer, a member of the New York City police commission, and Union general in the American Civil War.-Early life:...
In 1863, he left the army, and returned to Vermont.
Political career
On his return from the war, Veazey resumed the practice of law in Rutland, Vermont. In 1864, he was elected to the position of Reporter of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Vermont, and held that post by repeated re-election until 1872 In 1872, he was elected to the Vermont State Senate, and the following year was appointed a Registrar in Bankruptcy. In 1876, he served as a delegate-at-large to the Republican National Convention. In 1879, the Legislature elected him as a judge of the Supreme Court of Vermont, and he was re-elected to that post every two years until he became a member of the I.C.C. In 1880, he became a trustee of Dartmouth College, and held that position for many years.Colonel Veazey was active in the Grand Army of the Republic
Grand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died...
, serving as post commander of the Rutland post, then as Department Commander for the Vermont G.A.R. from 1873 to 1875. In 1877 and 1888, he served as Judge Advocate General on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the G.A.R., and finally as Commander-in-Chief himself from 1890 to 1891.
Interstate Commerce Commission
On August 31, 1889, Veazey was appointed by President Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
as a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission, filling the unexpired term of Aldace F. Walker
Aldace F. Walker
Aldace Freeman Walker was one of the original members of the Interstate Commerce Commission when the organization was founded in 1887...
, who had resigned a few months before the end of his term. As Congress was not then in session, Veazey received a recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
, taking the oath of office on September 10, 1889. Since Congress did not convene until December, and Veazey's initial term expired on December 31, no effort was made to confirm Veazey for the short initial term, instead President Harrison sent a nomination for a full six year term to the Senate, to expire December 31, 1895. The Senate confirmed Veazey on December 20, three days after receiving the nomination.
President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
reappointed Veazey to the I.C.C. for a second six-year term on December 19, 1895, and the Senate confirmed him the same day. However, Veazey resigned on December 20, 1896, and was succeeded by Charles A. Prouty
Charles A. Prouty
Charles A. Prouty was an American Democratic politician and government official who served as a commissioner of the ICC from 1896 to 1914. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate from Vermont in 1914, losing to incumbent Republican senator William P...
. He remained in Washington, and died there on March 22, 1898.