Bradley Barlow Smalley

Son of Laura Barlow and David A. Smalley

BIOGRAPHIES OF VERMONTERS A. D. 1892-93

Smalley, Bradley Barlow, of Burlington, son of Judge David A. Smalley, was born in Jericho, Nov. 26, 1836.

His father, David A. Smalley, was one of the most eminent citizens of Vermont, and when Bradley was four years of age he removed to Burlington. There the son diligently availed himself of the excellent opportunities afforded him to obtain a good common school and academical education. This completed, he decided to adopt the legal profession, beginning the requisite studies in the office of his father, where he also finished his professional education under the supervision of that admirable expositor of the law, and was admitted to the bar of Chittenden county in 1863. Two years prior to the latter event he received the appointment of clerk of the United States courts in Vermont, which position he held till 1885 when he was appointed collector of customs by President Cleveland. He was collector till 1889 and was again appointed to the same office in 1883 and is the present incumbent.

Mr. Smalley's political affiliations are with the national Democratic party. That organization seems to be in the permanent minority in Vermont, but notwithstanding this Mr. Smalley wields much influence and has made his mark on the legislative history of the state. In 1874 and again in 1878 he represented Burlington in the Legislature, and established his reputation as a practical working member. He has also held municipal offices in the city of Burling- ton. In the councils of the Democratic party, both national and state, Mr. Smalley has been and is an influential participant. He has been a member of the national Democratic committee since 1873, and since 1876 has been a member of the national executive committee. As such he has devoted nearly the whole of his time to the service of his party, during the later presidential campaigns having charge of one of the departments. He has been a delegate from the state of Vermont to nearly, if not all, the national Democratic conventions for twenty years. He is in poss- ession of the fullest confidence of his fellow-Democratic leaders, and exhibits almost unlimited power for active political work.

Mr. Smalley was one of the World's Fair Commissioners from Vermont.

Mr. Smalley has manifested much and most intelligent interest in the railroad affairs of the state, and was a director of the Central Vermont R. R. up to the time of its reorganization. He is now one of the directors of the Southeastern system of railroads, and is also a director of the Burlington Trust Co.

Thorough and diligent in business, excellent in civil life, and efficient in all things by him undertaken, he is respected equally by political friends and political opponents.

Bradley B. Smalley was married on the 4th of June, 1860, to Caroline M., daughter of Hon. Carlos Baxter, late of Burlington. Five children have been the fruit of their union.

In Memoriam Bradley Barlow Smalley Died November 6, 1909

The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Vermont, at this, its Sixteenth Annual Court, assembled, desires to place upon its records this minute of its appreciation of the worth, and its sorrow at the loss of its fellow member - Bradley Barlow Smalley - who died at his home in Burlington, Vermont, November 6, 1909.

Mr. Smalley became a member of this Society November 4, 1908. His ancestor was Philip Sherman, who was a member of the Court of Commissioners in 1656; Deputy to the General Court from 1665 to 1667; and a member of the Council, King Philip's War.

Of such ancestry Mr. Smalley was in all respects worthy. His life was one of successful activity, professional, civil, and political. He was admitted to the Bar in 1863; was Clerk of the United States COmmissioner for thirty-five years. He held important municipal offices; was a member of the State Legislature for two terms; was prominent in the State and National Committees of his political party from 1876 to 1892; was Commissioner from Vermont to the Columbian Exposition in 1893, and held the office of United States Collector of Customs for the District of Vermont for two terms. For several years he was a director in five railroad corporations and was president of two, and at the time of his death he was President of the Burlington Trust Company and was prominently connected with many of the business organizations of Burlington.

In all of thes responsible positions, he was courteous, faithful, and efficient. No man in this State was more widely known or more generally esteemed. The Society mourns his loss and will ever cherish his memory.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles E. Allen, Byron N. Clark, William T. Dewey

Committee

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Barlow of Vermont