Wallace M. Fay Explained

Wallace M. Fay (January 30, 1896  - April 25, 1976) was a Vermont business executive and politician who served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.

Biography

Wallace MacFie Fay was born in Fort Covington, New York on January 30, 1896.^{[1] [2]}

Fay was educated in the schools of Covington. Beginning in 1914, Fay was employed at the Vermont Marble Company, rising to vice president and member of the board of directors before retiring in 1966.^[3]

In 1917 Fay enlisted in the United States Army for World War I. After entering service at Fort Ethan Allen, he completed officer's training and received a commission as a second lieutenant of Aviation. He served in Texas, Florida and Virginia before being discharged in December, 1918.^[4] He maintained his military membership in the 1920s as a member of the Vermont National Guard's 86th Infantry Brigade.^[5]

Fay served as the governor's executive clerk during the administration of Redfield Proctor Jr. from 1923 to 1925.^[6]

A Republican, Fay served in local offices, including president of the Village of Proctor.^[7]

In 1938 Fay won a seat in the Vermont House of Representatives and served two terms, 1939 to 1943. His House tenure included service as chairman of the Appropriations committee.^[8] He was elected to the Vermont Senate in 1942 and served one term, 1943 to 1945.^[9]

In 1944 Fay was again elected to the Vermont House of Representatives. He served four terms, 1945 to 1953. He was Speaker of the House in his final term, 1951 to 1953.^[10]

In 1952 Fay received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Vermont.^[11]

Fay died in Proctor on April 25, 1976, and was buried in Proctor's South Street Cemetery.^{[12] [13]}

Notes and References

1. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, record for Wallace M. Fay, accessed March 25, 2012
2. U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, entry for Wallace MacFie Fay, accessed via Ancestry.com, March 25, 2012
3. Newspaper article, Vt. Marble Executive Retires, Bennington Banner, January 6, 1966
4. U.S., Adjutant General Military Records, 1631-1976, entry for Wallace MacFie Fay, accessed via Ancestry.com, March 25, 2012
5. Vermont Secretary of State, Vermont State Officers, Departments and Institutions, 1924, page 17
6. Vermont Year Book, Formerly Walton's Register, by E. P. & G. S. Walton (Montpelier), 1925, page 368
7. Manning's Rutland City, Rutland Township, West Rutland and Proctor, Vermont Directory, 1936, page 174
8. Samuel B. Hand, The Star That Set: The Vermont Republican Party, 1854-1974, 2003, page 194
9. American Legislative Leaders in the Northeast, 1911-1994, 2000, page 96
10. http://vermont-archives.org/govhistory/Officials/pdf/speakersHouse.pdf Speakers of the Vermont House of Representatives Since 1870
11. World Who's Who in Commerce and Industry, Volume 14, 1966, page 407
12. Vermont Death Records, 1909-2008, record for Wallace M. Fay, accessed via Ancestry.com, March 25, 2012
13. Social Security Death Index, entry for Wallace M. Fay, accessed via Ancestry.com, March 25, 2012