Tracy was born in
Hartford, Vermont, to James Tracy and Mercy Richmond Tracy. He attended Royalton and Randolph Academies, before attending
Dartmouth College in
Hanover, New Hampshire, for two years. He taught school, studied law with
George E. Wales, and was
admitted to the bar in 1826. He began the
practice of law in
Quechee, Vermont, and in 1838 moved to
Woodstock, Vermont, where he continued to practice law. ==Political career==