Torrey E. Wales

Torrey Eglesby Wales (June 20, 1820 – July 5, 1902) was an American politician who served as the 2nd Mayor of Burlington, Vermont.

Early life Torrey E. Wales was born in Westford, Vermont on June 20, 1820, to Danforth Wales and Louisa Sibley. Danforth was a successful clothier whose business interests later included a gristmill and a sawmill, and he represented Westford for several terms in the Vermont House of Representatives. Louisa died in 1822 and Danforth married Alice Cushman.

Wales was educated in the schools of Westford and nearby towns. He attended the University of Vermont, where he was a member of the board of trustees later in life, from 1837 to 1841, and studied law under with Archibald Hyde and later Asahel Peck. He admitted to the bar in 1845, and practiced in Burlington, Vermont.

Legal and business career Wales sought a warmer climate in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1846 due to illness and lived there for three years. During his time there he worked as a tutor for a plantation-owning family. After returning to Burlington he resumed practicing law. Prior to the American Civil War, Wales was active in a Burlington militia company, the Howard Guards, and was volunteer fire fighter as a member of Burlington's Boxer Company. He was among the founders of Mary Fletcher Hospital and served as its treasurer. He was a deacon at the College Street Congregational Church for fifteen years. and later a Republican, Wales was long active in Vermont politics and government. In 1854, Wales was elected State's Attorney of Chittenden County, and he served until 1857. In 1862, he was elected the county's probate court judge, and he served until 1898. He was buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Burlington. George served as private secretary for U.S. Senators Justin Smith Morrill and Henry L. Dawes, and Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs (chief assistant) to Governor John L. Barstow.