Gasca Rich (1811-1894)

   An oddly named Vermont State Representative, Gasca Rich was born in the town of Shoreham, Addison County Vermont on October 13, 1811, the last of seven children born to Charles and Molly Watts Rich.  It can safely be said that odd names ran in the Rich family, as two of Gasca's brothers were named Quintus Cincinnatus (1804-1879) and Virtulon (1809-1892). The origins of Gasca Rich's first name are lost in history, but he may have been named in honor of Pedro de la Gasca (1485-1567) a prominent Spanish historical figure who served at various times as a bishop of Palencia, diplomat, and acting viceroy of Peru.
  Little could be found on Gasca Rich's childhood or education, so it is presumed that he attended school in the county of his birth. He married Ms. Laura Loraine Bascom (1811-1874) in September 1839 and they are recorded as having one son, Irving Bascom Rich (1845-1916). Laura Loraine Rich died of apoplexy in March 1874 (her obituary is shown below), and a few years after her death Gasca remarried Delia Anne Kinsley (1824-1910).

   In 1833 Gasca entered into a law partnership with his older brother Davis (1794-1879). This practice is listed as being active until 1851, and as far as local politics are concerned, Gasca Rich first served in public office during the early 1850s when he was elected as a justice of the peace for the town of Shoreham. In 1856 he was elected to the Vermont State House of Representatives and served in the legislative sessions of 1857 and 1858.
  In the years following his service in the legislature Gasca Rich was involved in Shoreham business and civic affairs, and in 1869 was named as one of the five directors of the Addison Railroad. An article on his appointment to this office appeared in the March 25, 1869 edition of the Vermont Daily Transcript and is shown below. 

  Other than the preceding information, little else could be found on the life of Gasca Rich. He is listed as being Postmaster of the town of Richville, Vermont from 1872 until his death, which occurred on December 14, 1894, in his native town of Shoreham. His cause of death is given as "oedema of the lungs, caused by heart disease", and he was subsequently buried in the East Shoreham Cemetery.