Rawson C. Myrick

Rawson Clark Myrick was born in Bridport, Vermont on August 31, 1882, the son of Thadius J. and Alice (Fitch) Myrick.[1] He was educated in Bridport, and then taught school while also working on his father's farm.[1]

He attended Burlington Business College, and then accepted a position on the staff of the U.S. Consulate in Three Rivers, Quebec.[1]

Myrick returned to Vermont to work as the personal assistant to Norman S. Foote, a Middlebury real estate broker and property manager.[1] In 1906, he joined the staff of the Vermont Secretary of State.[1] He was promoted to Deputy Secretary of State in 1909, and served in this post until 1927.[1]

In May, 1927, Secretary of State Aaron H. Grout resigned, and Governor John E. Weeks appointed Myrick to fill the vacancy.[1] He was elected to a full term in 1928, and was reelected nine times.[2] He served until September 1947, when he resigned.[2] He had already announced that he would not be a candidate for reelection in 1948 when he decided to leave office before the completion of his term as the result of a long period of ill health.[2] Myrick was succeeded by his deputy, Helen E. Burbank, who was appointed to fill the vacancy.[2] At 20 years, Myrick's tenure as Secretary of State is the longest in Vermont's history; George Nichols served for 19 years.[2]

In retirement, Myrick resided in Montpelier.[3] He died at Porter Hospital in Middlebury on April 8, 1974, and was buried at Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier.[3]

In 1914, Myrick married Florence Wheelock (1890-1918).[4][5] They were the parents of two daughters: Virginia (1915-1955),[5] the wife of Stanley R. Sloan (1911-1975);[6] and Florence (1918-2009),[5] who was the wife of Edward Seager (1918-1985) of South Barre.[6]

In 1925, Myrick married Hannah Dvorcef (1895-1982) of Montpelier.[7][8] Their son Rawson Jr. died in a 1978 car accident.[9][10]