Rufus E. Brown

Early life

Rufus Everson Brown was born in Dickinson, New York on December 3, 1854. He attended academies in Lawrenceville and Amsterdam before relocating to Burlington, Vermont to study law.

Legal career

Brown studied at the firm of Wales and Taft, which included Russell S. Taft, a prominent politician and judge. He attained admission to the bar in 1880, and operated a farm while beginning a law practice.

In 1891 he opened an office in Burlington and began to practice law full time. In 1897 he started Brown & Macomber in partnership with James H. Macomber. In 1903 he formed a new partnership with Russell W. Taft, the son of Russell S. Taft.

Political career

A Republican, Brown served as Burlington's grand juror (city prosecutor) from 1892 to 1894. From 1894 to 1900 he served as state's attorney for Chittenden County. From 1901 to 1903 Brown was a member of the Vermont State Senate. In 1903 he was appointed Burlington's city attorney.

In 1912, Brown defeated Frank C. Archibald in the Republican primary for Vermont Attorney General. He won the general election, and served from 1912 to 1914. His term expired in November 1914; under a new statute, terms for statewide office holders were scheduled to begin in January starting in 1915. To bridge the gap between the end of Brown's term in November 1914 and the start of Herbert G. Barber's in January 1915, Governor Allen M. Fletcher appointed Barber to serve for the month of December 1914. Brown later served as judge of Burlington's city court.

Death and burial

Brown died in Burlington on June 15, 1920. He was buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Burlington.

Family

In 1877 he married Della F. Wood (b. 1860) of Williston, Vermont. They were the parents of a son, Ralph Earle (b. 1879).

In 1902 Brown married Josephine (Josie) Sayles (1875-1944).

His third wife was Elizabeth Brownell (1876-1948).