F. Elliott Barber Jr.
American attorney and politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frank Elliott Barber Jr. (June 8, 1912 – January 14, 1992) was a Vermont attorney and politician who served as Vermont Attorney General from 1953 to 1955.
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F. Elliott Barber | |
|---|---|
From the September 8, 1952 issue of The Brattleboro Reformer | |
| Vermont Attorney General | |
| In office 1952–1955 | |
| Governor | Lee E. Emerson |
| Preceded by | Clifton G. Parker |
| Succeeded by | Robert Stafford |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Brattleboro | |
| In office 1951–1952 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Broutsas |
| Succeeded by | Robert T. Gannett |
| Member of the Vermont Senate from Windham County | |
| In office 1947–1949 Serving with Arthur O. Howe | |
| Preceded by | Frank E. Barber, Donald R. Huntington |
| Succeeded by | Hugh Agnew, Arthur O. Howe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 8, 1912 Brattleboro, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | January 14, 1992 (aged 79) Brattleboro, Vermont, U.S. |
| Resting place | Morningside Cemetery, Brattleboro, Vermont, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Jeanne Freund Frances Fairbrother |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Herbert G. Barber (uncle) |
| Education | Norwich University Harvard Law School |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1944–1945 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Headquarters, Chinese Combat Command |
| Wars | World War II |
Biography
F. Elliott Barber was born in Brattleboro, Vermont on June 8, 1912.[1] He was the son of attorney F. Elliott Barber Sr., and the nephew of Herbert G. Barber, who also served as Vermont Attorney General.[2] He graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1930, Norwich University in 1934, and Harvard Law School in 1937.[1][3] He was admitted to the bar in 1937, and practiced with his father in the Brattleboro firm of Barber & Barber.[2]
Barber became active in Republican politics; from 1941 to 1943, he served as Brattleboro’s town counsel.[4] In 1944, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention.[4] During his career, he also held other local offices, including justice of the peace and town meeting moderator.[4]
He joined the United States Army for World War II, and attained the rank of captain at Headquarters, Chinese Combat Command, a unit commanded by Robert B. McClure, which operated in the China Burma India Theater.[5][6]
In 1946 he won election to the Vermont State Senate, and he served from 1947 to 1949.[7] In 1947, Barber was appointed judge of Brattleboro’s municipal court, and he served until 1949.[8][9] In 1950, he won election to the Vermont House of Representatives, and he served one term, 1951 to 1953.[10]
In 1952, Barber won the Republican nomination for Vermont Attorney General.[11] He won the general election for the term starting in January 1953.[12] Attorney General Clifton G. Parker resigned in December, and Governor Lee E. Emerson appointed Barber to fill the vacancy effective December 31.[13] Barber served from December 31, 1952 to January 1955.[14] As his deputy, Barber appointed Robert Stafford, who succeeded him as Attorney General.[15][16]
In 1954, Barber was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont; the nomination was won by Consuelo N. Bailey, who defeated Barber and Harold J. Arthur, and went on to win the general election.[17][18]
In 1959, Stafford, now serving as governor, appointed Barber to the Vermont Liquor Control Board.[19] He served until resigning in 1963.[20]
Barber continued to practice law, and also became a lobbyist.[21] He remained active in Republican politics; in 1970, he was the Windham County chairman of Senator Winston L. Prouty’s reelection campaign.[22] In 1976 he was one of several former attorneys general who endorsed Republican candidate John M. Meaker for the position.[23] (Meaker was defeated by Democratic incumbent M. Jerome Diamond.)[24]
Barber died on June 14, 1992.[25] He was buried at Morningside Cemetery in Brattleboro.[26]
Family
In 1938, Barber married Jeanne Freund.[27] They were the parents of two children, Susan and Frank III.[28] They divorced in 1946,[29] and in 1949, Barber married Harriet Frances Fairbrother of Newport, Vermont.[30][31] She was known as Frances, and they were the parents of two children, Hugh and Allison.[28]