May, Elisha
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MILITARY SERVICE Age: 21, credited to Concord, VT Unit(s): 26th NY CAV/VT FCAV Service: enl 1/3/65, m/i QMSGT, Co. F, Frontier Cavalry (aka 26th NY CAV), 1/10/65, comn Rgtl CS 5/12/65, m/o 7/7/65 See Legend for expansion of abbreviations VITALSBirth: 12/12/1842, Concord, VT Death: 05/18/1918 Burial: Mount Pleasant Cemetery, St. Johnsbury, VT Marker/Plot: Not recorded Gravestone photographer: Carolyn Adams Findagrave Memorial #: 119744307 MORE INFORMATION Alias?: None noted Pension?: Yes, 12/15/1904, VT; widow Eunice A. S., 6/17/1918, VT Portrait?: Unknown College?: Not Found Veterans Home?: VT (If there are state digraphs above, this soldier spent some time in a state or national soldiers' home in that state after the war) Remarks: None Webmaster's Note: After the Saint Albans Raid on October 19, 1864, Vermont raised two companies of cavalry to help guard the Canadian border; there were known as Frontier Cavalry, Companies F and M, but technically they were part of the 26th New York Cavalry. DESCENDANTS (Are you a descendant, but not listed? Register today) |
BURIAL: Copyright notice   Mount Pleasant Cemetery, St. Johnsbury, VT Check the cemetery for location/directions and other veterans who may be buried there. |
Elisha May
ELISHA MAY
Elisha May, one of the leading attorneys of St. Johnsbury, carries in his veins the blood of worthy sires, who were among the first in reclaiming New England from the wilderness, replacing savagery with civilization. [Seven generations of detail omitted]
Elisha May, of St. Johnsbury, son of Preston and Sophia Stevens (Grout) May, was born in Concord, Vermont, December 12, 1842. He was educated at the common schools and at St. Johnsbury Academy. After his preliminary studies he read law with Jonathan Ross, Esq., at St. Johnsbury, and was admitted to the bar at the December term in Caledonia county in 1867. The following year he served as assistant clerk in the house of representatives under John H. Flagg. At one time a partner of Henry C. Bclden, Esq., and later of Hon. Henry C. Bates, Mr. May is now associated with Robert "YY. Simonds.
Formerly a member of the Republican party, he withdrew his allegiance in 1884, being a pronounced opponent of the doctrines of the protectionists, and is now a strong Cleveland Democrat of the independent type, who believes in principle rather than party.
During the war he made an attempt to enlist in the Seventeenth Regiment Vermont Volunteers, but was rejected. A second effort was more successful, and he was enrolled in the Twenty-sixth Regiment, New York Cavalry, under Colonel Ferris Jacobs. He received a commission from Governor Fenton as first lieutenant and regimental commissary, but was not present at any battle of the war.
Mr. May has also knelt at the shrine of Freemasonry, having taken the degrees of blue lodge, chapter and temple, and he is a member of Chamberlain Post No 1, G.A.R.
A modest and unassuming man, notwithstanding his liberal and advanced view of the present aspect of public affairs, he has never sought for political promotion, but was the candidate for auditor of accounts on the Democratic ticket in 1890 and 1892, and is a member of the Democratic state committee for Caledonia county.
Mr. May was in 1893 appointed bank examiner in Vermont by President Cleveland, and served five years, and is at present director of the state prison and house of correction.
Mr. May was married December 12, 1872, to Miss Eunice A. S., daughter of Sumner W. and Rosette (Eastman) Arnold. Three children have been born of this marriage: Florence, Joanna Rosette and Beatrice Sophia May.
Hiram Carleton, Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont, (Lewis Publishing Co., New York, 1903), ii:657-658.
Obituary
St. Albans Daily Messenger
May 23, 1918
The Hon. Elisha May
The Hon. Elisha May died just before noon Saturday at his home in St. Johnsbury. The end was not unexpected as he had been steadily failing. The funeral was held at his late home Monday at 2 o'clock and was conducted by the rector of St. Andrew's church, the rev. Dr. A. P. Grint. The Grand Army will attend the service in a body.
Mr. May was born in Concord, December 12, 1842, being the son of Preston and Sophia Grout May. He was educated at the public schools and St. Johnsbury Academy., beginning his professional career by reading law with the late Jonathan Ross. He was admitted to the Caledonia county bar in 1867, and has practiced longer than any other attorney in the county.
He was a Civil War veteran, a member of Chamberlin post, G.A.R., national bank examiner from 1893 to 1896, a trustee of the Bennington Soldiers' Home, and a member of the board of charities. He was the senior warden of St. Andrews' church, a trustee of St. Johnsbury and Peacham Academies, and a member of the various Masonic bodies.
He is survived by his wife and three daughters, Miss Florence J. May, Miss Eunice May and Mrs. Nelson Ranney, all of St. Johnsbury.
Contributed by Tom Boudreau.