Charles J. Adams (Vermont politician)

Charles J. Adams (February 17, 1917 – May 16, 2008) was a Vermont attorney whose career included an interim appointment as Vermont Attorney General.

Charles J. Adams
16th Vermont Attorney General
In office
1962–1963
GovernorF. Ray Keyser Jr.
Preceded byThomas M. Debevoise
Succeeded byCharles E. Gibson Jr.
Personal details
Born
Charles Jairus Adams

(1917-02-17)February 17, 1917
Randolph, Vermont, U.S.
DiedMay 16, 2008(2008-05-16) (aged 91)
Williston, Vermont, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMary Ella Tobey (m. 1942)
Children2
Military service
AllegianceUnited States United States
Branch/service United States Army
Rank Captain
Unit3rd Armored Division
Battles/warsWorld War II

Biography

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Charles Jairus Adams was born in Randolph, Vermont, on February 17, 1917, the son of Charles Bayley Adams and Jeanette (Metzger) Adams.[1] His father served as an Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court from 1949 to 1961.[2] Adams was raised and educated in Waterbury, and graduated from Norwich University in 1939.[3]

Adams joined the United States Army for World War II and served as a captain with the 3rd Armored Division during combat in the European Theater of Operations.[3] On July 5, 1942, he married Mary Ella Tobey of Belmont, Massachusetts; they were married in Leesville, Louisiana, while Adams was stationed at Camp Beauregard prior to his unit's departure for Europe.[3]

In 1951 Adams graduated from the Boston University School of Law and became an attorney, first in Montpelier and later in Waterbury.[3] A Republican in politics,[4] he was active in local government including Waterbury village trustee and president, and member of the town of Waterbury's school board.[5][3] He was also involved in several civic and fraternal organizations, including the Masons and Shriners, the Norwich University Alumni Association and the Norwich University Cemetery Board of Trustees.[3][6]

In December 1961, Governor F. Ray Keyser announced that he would appoint Adams as Vermont Attorney General to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Thomas M. Debevoise.[6] Adams assumed the office on January 2, 1962, and served until the end of Debevoise's term in January 1963.[7] He did not run for a full term in 1962, and was succeeded by Charles E. Gibson Jr., who had served as his deputy.[8]

Adams continued practicing law, and later moved to South Burlington.[3] He died on May 16, 2008, at the Vermont Respite House in Williston. He was survived by his daughters Mary Jean Sturgis and Carol Allen.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Obituary, Charles J. Adams". Times Argus. Barre, VT. May 17, 2008. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015.
  2. ^ "Mrs. Jeanette Adams Dies, had Active Life". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. November 25, 1975. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Obituary, Charles J. Adams".
  4. ^ "Waterbury Republican Women Hear Stafford at Coffee Hour". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. October 19, 1962. p. 9.
  5. ^ "Keyser Appoints Attorney General". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. Morning Press Bureau. December 15, 1961. p. 1.
  6. ^ a b "15 Dec 1961, Page 1 - The Burlington Free Press at Newspapers.com". newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Charles Adams Becomes Attorney General". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. Morning Press Bureau. January 3, 1962. p. 14.
  8. ^ "State Legislature Adjourns for Governor Race Recount". Bennington Banner. Bennington, VT. Associated Press. January 11, 1963. p. 1.
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of Vermont
1962–1963
Succeeded by