Lyman G. Hinckley

Lyman Gillett Hinckley was born in the Post Mills area of Thetford, Vermont on April 13, 1832, a son of Lyman Hinckley and Phebe (Gillett) Hinckley.[1][2][3] His father was a noted anti-slavery activist and served in local offices including assistant judge of the Orange County court.[4][5]

Hinckley attended the schools of Thetford and graduated from Thetford Academy in 1851.[6] In 1852, he began attendance at Dartmouth College while teaching school and selling books and newspaper subscriptions door-to-door to pay his tuition.[6] He graduated in 1856, and moved to Chelsea. Hinckley studied law with William Hebard and Burnham Martin and was admitted to the bar in 1860.[7] Hinckley did not actively practice law, preferring instead to concentrate on his duties as county clerk.[8]

A Republican, from 1856 to 1859 he was Assistant Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives, and he was Clerk of the Orange County, Vermont from 1860 until his death.[9] Hinckley served as a Town of Chelsea Justice of the Peace and Town Meeting Moderator, also serving in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1862 to 1864 and 1868 to 1870.[10] From 1872 to 1874 he served in the Vermont Senate and was chosen to serve as President pro tem.[8] He was then elected Lieutenant Governor and served one term, 1874 to 1876.[8] In 1878 and 1880 he returned to the Vermont House of Representatives.[10]

Hinckley died suddenly on November 26, 1887 while in Boston to visit his sisters for Thanksgiving.[11] He was buried Highland Cemetery in Chelsea.

In 1861, Hinckley married Mary Sybil Henry of Waterbury, Vermont, the sister of William Wirt Henry.[12] They had a daughter, Hattie, who died in 1872 at age eight.[10] Mary Hinckley died in 1874, and Lyman Hinckley never remarried.[12][10]