Alexander Dunnett was born in Peacham, Vermont on November 29, 1852, the son of Andrew and Christianne (Galbraith) Dunnett.[1] He was raised and educated in Peacham and Ryegate, and attended McIndoes Academy and Newbury Seminary.[1] While a teenager, Dunnett was working on a railroad construction crew when a large stone fell on him.[2] He sustained a crushed pelvis, and doctors feared he would not survive.[2] Dunnett recovered, but the effects of the injury resulted in a unique gait when he walked and the carrying of one shoulder lower than the other.[2] He graduated from the Randolph Normal School (now Vermont Technical College) in 1874, and taught school while studying law with attorney Nelson L. Boyden of Randolph.[1] Dunnett then attended courses at Boston University School of Law to complete his legal education, and attained admission to the bar in 1877.[1]
Start of career
Dunnett practiced in Ryegate before relocating to St. Johnsbury, where he practiced law with various partners at different times, including Albro F. Nichols, Leighton P. Slack, Charles E. Leslie, and Charles A. Shields.[1]
From 1894's Men of Vermont Illustrated
A Republican, while living in Ryegate, Dunnett served as school superintendent and town meeting moderator.[3] After moving to St. Johnsbury, he was chosen to moderate its town meeting for several years.[3] Dunnett served as State's Attorney for Caledonia County from 1896 to 1900.[3] In addition, he was the longtime chairman of the Caledonia County Republican Committee, and served as chairman of the Vermont Republican Party's 1900 convention.[3]
Dunnett suffered from kidney disease in his later years, and became ill while attending the 1920 Republican National Convention, where he delivered a seconding speech in support of Calvin Coolidge for vice president.[1] He died at his summer home on Lake Groton in Groton, Vermont on September 14, 1920.[1] Dunnett was buried at Hillside Cemetery in Ryegate.[7]
Dunnett was married three times.[1] In 1879, he married Ella J. White, who died in 1881.[1] In 1884, he married Sarah M. Town, who died in 1888.[1] In 1890, Dunnett married Ella Chalmers, the widow of Reverend John R. Chalmers of St. Johnsbury.[1] With his first wife, Dunnett was the father of son Jim A. Dunnett, who was born and died in 1881.[10]
"Porter H. Dale Wins". Orleans County Monitor. Barton, VT. September 9, 1914 – via Library of Congress: Chronicling America; Historic American Newspapers.