Herman R. Beardsley

Herman Ruggles Beardsley[1] was born in Kent, Connecticut on July 21, 1800, the son of Ephraim Beardsley and Hannah (Berry) Beardsley.[2] Ephraim Beradsley's family moved to Grand Isle, Vermont in the early 1800s, and his son was educated by private tutors, including Asa Lyon.[2] He studied at the University of Vermont, and read law with Bates Turner, Asa Aldis, and John Smith of St. Albans.[2] Beardsley was admitted to the bar in 1825,[3] and practiced in St. Albans.[2] In addition to serving in local offices including justice of the peace,[4] in 1834, Beardsley was elected to Vermont's governor's council, and he served until 1835.[1] In 1837, the University of Vermont awarded him the honorary degree of master of arts.[5] Beardsley represented St. Albans in the Vermont House of Representatives in 1848.[6]

In 1865, Beardsley was appointed to the Vermont Supreme Court, filling the Associate Justice's position left vacant by the resignation of Asa O. Aldis.[2] He served for only a few months, and was not a candidate for appointment to a full term.[2] He was succeeded on the court by William C. Wilson.[7]

Beardsley was married to Abigail S. Webb (1808-1874), the stepdaughter of Bates Turner.[2] They were the parents of three daughters and one son.[2]

Beardsley died in St. Albans on March 9, 1878.[2] He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in St. Albans.[8]