J. Harold Stacey (February 24, 1898 – May 5, 1963) was a Vermont businessman and politician who served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.

J. Harold Stacey
Member of the Vermont Senate from Windsor County
In office
1955–1957
Serving with Guy H. Cleveland, Lewis E. Springer Jr.
Preceded byFrank C. Corliss, Susan Drown, Henry D. Vail
Succeeded byGuy H. Cleveland, Mark Drown, Olin Gay
Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives
In office
1949–1951
Preceded byWinston L. Prouty
Succeeded byWallace M. Fay
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Windsor
In office
1943–1951
Preceded byHarry B. Wilcox
Succeeded byDonald B. Hammond
Personal details
Born(1898-02-24)February 24, 1898
Tolland, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedMay 5, 1963(1963-05-05) (aged 65)
Hanover, New Hampshire, U.S.
Resting placeAscutney Cemetery, Windsor, Vermont, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseEthel (Bonney) Stacey (m. 1919)
Children3
EducationDartmouth College (attended)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (attended)
OccupationBusinessman
Military service
ServiceUnited States Navy
Years of service1918–1919
RankEnsign
UnitUnited States Naval Aviation
WarsWorld War I

Early life

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James Harold Stacey was born in Tolland, Connecticut, on February 24, 1898.[2] He was raised in Royalton, Vermont, and attended Dartmouth College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[3]

Stacey joined the United States Navy for World War I, received a commission as an Ensign, and was trained as a pilot.[4]

In 1919 Stacey settled in Windsor, Vermont, where he operated an ice, building materials and home heating business.[5]

Political career

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A Republican, Stacey was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1942 and served four terms, 1943 to 1951. From 1949 to 1951 Stacey was Speaker of the House.[6]

In 1950 Stacey lost the Republican primary for governor to Lee E. Emerson, who went on to win the general election.[7]

Stacey later served on the state Fish and Game Commission. In 1954 he was elected to the Vermont Senate and served one term, 1955 to 1957.[8] In June 1956, Stacey was appointed to head the Vermont Development Commission.[9]

Public life

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Stacey belonged to several fraternal and voluntary organizations including the Freemasonry, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Rotary International, American Legion, and New England Lumberman's association.[10] Within Freemasonry, he served as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Vermont, was a 33° Scottish Rite mason, a Past Patron of Ascutney Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, member of the Windsor Commandery, Knights Templar, and Past Potentate of Mt. Sinai Temple, Shriners.[10]

Later life

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Stacey died at the hospital in Hanover, New Hampshire on May 5, 1963.[11] He was buried at Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Johnson, Herbert T. (1927). Roster of Vermont Men and Women in the World War. Rutland, VT: The Tuttle Company, Marble City Press. p. 1594 – via Ancestry.com.
  2. ^ Proceedings of the Vermont Council of Deliberation[permanent dead link], Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, 2010, page 37
  3. ^ Vermont Legislative Directory, published by Vermont Secretary of State, 1947, page 480
  4. ^ Vermont Legislative Directory, published by Vermont Secretary of State, 1949, page 500
  5. ^ Proceedings of the Twenty-Third Annual Convention of Rotary International, published by Rotary International, 1932, page 582
  6. ^ Speakers of the Vermont House of Representatives Since 1870 Archived April 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, by Vermont Secretary of State, Archives and Records Administration, 2009, page 7
  7. ^ 1950 Republican Primary Election results Archived November 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, by Vermont Secretary of State, Archives and Records Administration, 2006, page 1
  8. ^ Vermont Legislative Directory, published by Vermont Secretary of State, 1955, page 630
  9. ^ Newspaper article, VDC Reveals Taylor Cut to $1.00 a Month; Chairman Appointed, Harold Stacey of Windsor is Named Head, Bennington Banner, May 5, 1956
  10. ^ a b "J. Harold Stacey of Windsor, Former House Speaker, dies". Rutland Daily Herald. May 7, 1963. pp. 1–2.
  11. ^ Death Notice, J. Harold Stacey, Bennington Banner, May 7, 1956
  12. ^ "Funerals: J. Harold Stacey". Bennington Banner. May 9, 1963. p. 14.
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Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives
1949–1951
Succeeded by