Harold C. Sylvester

Harold C. Sylvester (April 27, 1903 – July 15, 1988) was a Vermont attorney, politician, and judge. He was most notable for his long service on the Vermont Superior Court, and as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court from 1963 to 1964. Early life Harold Charles Sylvester was born in Eden, Vermont on April 27, 1903, the son of Geneva L. (Sullivan) and farmer Leonard I. Sylvester. He was educated in Eden and Johnson, and graduated from Johnson High School. Sylvester attended Saint Michael's College for two years, and then began the study of law in the Morisville offices of William E. Tracy and Frederick G. Fleetwood. Sylvester was admitted to the bar in 1927, and began a practice in St. Albans. Start of career A Republican, while practicing in St. Albans, Sylvster served in local office including city attorney and member of the city council. He served as assistant secretary of the Vermont Senate from 1943 to 1945, and secretary of civil and military affairs (chief assistant) for Governor Mortimer R. Proctor from 1946 to 1947. In 1948, Sylvester was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives, and he was reelected in 1950 and 1952. In his second and third terms, Sylvester was chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Sylvester served on the board of directors of the Howard Bank and the Swanton Savings Bank and Trust Company. He was also a member of the board of directors for the St. Albans Hospital. From 1946 to 1947 he was president of the Vermont Bar Association.