Henry David Vail of Ludlow, Vt was born in Ely, Canada Dec 7, 1892. In 1912 he was an automotive dealer in Proctorsville, VT. He then used his financial business ingenuity to purchase an old building and turn it into the American Woolen Company later called Wool Art Mills and Black River Mills, which employed many of the Ludlow townspeople.
He served in the Army during WWI, with 303rd Repair Unit of the Motor Transport Corps and left as a Sergeant First Class. Inducted 11/21/1917 overseas 1/17/1918-6/19/19 discharged 6/26/1919.
He was a charter member and second commander of the Ballard-Hobart Post #36 in Ludlow, Vermont.
1944-1945 State House of Representative, 1951 State Senator for Windsor County. He did run for Governor 1950 and lost, but the Windsor County people voted him to the Senate.
Henry was known as a humble and giving man. He was an innovateor and his business sense assisted the Department of Vermont securing their financial stability. His membership roster grew from 5,000 members to 13,000, (1945).
He was a primary mover in the Veterans State Board in Montpelier and it was said that he did it without fanfare or publicity. Henry always was humble when it came to all he accomplished.
During WWII he led the state in Windsor County savings bond sales.
Served as the Windsor Couty City Advisory for Rent Control Board.
President of the Ludlow Rotary Club
American Legion representative for the Blood Plasma Bank for the WWII war effort.
State Commander 1945-46.
